The Crossed-Structure Binding, created by Carmencho Arregui, is a binding that employs only sewing for structure and stitching for structure and decoration. This post is an overview; the detailed instructions are in Making Handmade Books (page 150) and you can also see Arregui's description and history of the structure on her website. Mostly, I'm showing here how a drawing paper cover can be repurposed for a CSB cover.
I'm using the cover from an empty pad of 18" x 24" drawing paper.
Actually, I'm using only a strip, cut parallel to the long edge (grained short).
It is three times the width of my folded pages.
I want the word "raw" on the front, so I arrange the paper and cut the center third into five strips: two attached to the left section, three attached to the right.
I sew the pages to the two-strip piece (back) using a traditional multiple signature binding with kettle stitches. (It's like sewing over tapes.)
After I weave the covers and sew down the strips I add little ties at the spine to decoratively bundle the stitches. (The ties are optional. If your stitches are too loose, this is also a good disguise.)
The book below is made from watercolor paper pages and
the cover from a watercolor paper block.
This journal should hold up well, and it feels comfortably ordinary.
Comments
Peace & Love,
Barb