How to Make Book Cloth

I’m interested in making my own book cloth.  I’m collecting some of the methods for y’all here that I’m finding.

Book cloth is used for attaching cloth to books.  The basic parts of it are: cloth, glue/or adhesive and a tissue paper backing.  There are any number of ways to do it.

Why do you want to attach paper to the fabric?  It makes the fabric more stable, it might stretch poorly when glued directly onto a book board.  In addition, when directly gluing the fabric on to the book board, glue can seep out of the fabric.

You will need either flat glass or plexiglass to dry the fabric on.  My suggestion is plexiglass, because it is less breakable.  Glass might show the underside of the fabric so you can check for glue/paste seepage.

Tools?

• PVA glue/Wheat paste/ Fabric Fusing
• Sharp scissors to cut the fabric.
• Plexiglass/or glass to provide a flat surface.
• Patience and time.
• Clean and roomy work table.
• Glue brushes.
• Foam roller.
• Fabric fusing?  An iron and flat ironing surface.
• Fabric with a tight weave, to prevent seepage.
• Natural fabric is best.
• Tissue paper, japanese paper, or other light weight paper.

This method by Erica Munoz involves book glue, fabric and japanese paper. It goes over using a gluing station, which I’ve found essential for bookbinding.

https://crafts.tutsplus.com/tutorials/bookbinding-fundamentals-how-to-make-your-own-archival-book-cloth–craft-3294

This method by Sea Lemon on Youtube involves using a fabric backing to attach the paper to fabric.  This is a little bit less intense than rolling on glue and making sure it’s just the write amount as the previous method.  If you aren’t comfortable using a fabric stiffener or interface, this might be an issue.  It’s also not a traditional book binding method, but it gets the job done.

This method by Big Jump Press, starts off by making your own wheat paste.  She focuses on the traditional Japanese book binding methods and paper.  I’d practice the wheat paste method until that was right before starting on gluing the paper to the cloth.  Like the other bloggers, she uses fat quarters from the fabric store.

https://bigjumppress.wordpress.com/2013/12/23/put-down-that-mulled-wine-immediately-we-are-making-bookcloth-today/

This blog by Daniel and Karleigh goes over some the differences in the book binding cloth.  How library book cloth is treated to make it better vs. using quilting fabric.  Make sure you read the comment section as well.

http://badgerandchirp.blogspot.com/2013/02/bookbinding-101-book-cloth.html

This blog by Roz wound up, is heavy on text and not so many pictures.  It talks about fabric treating, why you should back your book cloth and stitch size.

http://rozwoundup.typepad.com/roz_wound_up/2009/10/making-bookclothapplying-a-paper-backing.html