Testing DIY Book Cloth Alternatives (No HeatnBond)

Can you turn any fabric or vinyl into bookcloth with fabric/textile medium or glue stick? Let’s test it out!

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0:00 What is Book Cloth?
0:45 HeatnBond Method
1:36 Wrinkles & Creases
2:36 Fabric Medium Method
6:34 Glue Stick Method
8:02 Adhesive Eraser

[JacquiSimpsonArt]

My absolute favorite method of making bookcloth is using wheat paste. I buy large sheets of pattern paper (tissue paper) and cut them down to the size of my fabric. I wipe my surface with a damp cloth then lay down the paper and stretch it out to straighten. Then using a large flat brush I apply a thin layer of wheat paste to the paper and gently lay my fabric on top. Using a large roller I then flatten it and leave to dry. The awesome thing about wheat paste is that it is cheap to make and dries absolutely transparent, so even if it were to bleed through (which it generally doesn't) it does not leave marks. This is honestly my best method and I have tried so many.

[taniabn]

What I used to do way back when I did bookbinding was very simple. I would add a very thin coat of pva glue with a sponge brush to a sheet of paper and the carefully applied the fabric directly onto it, just pressing lightly with my hands, so the fabric threads were straight. That works with thin fabrics because, using a sponge brush, you can apply a VERY thin layer of glue to the paper, and also, there is a little bit of time for the glue to slightly dry before making contact with the fabric, so it never sipped through. Then I would just place it under a weight, or iron it with low heat after the glue dried. Worked perfectly every time and made the fabric super easy to work with, without any glue stains. Also prevented the board texture from coming through the cloth.

[ersehersul]

omg i used to watch you when i was 8. i got so much into trouble for wasting paper trying to book bind (they turned out shit haha). now im in uni thinking about starting binding books again. you were a huge part of my childhood

[QuivaRPG]

I use a hair dryer or heat gun to relax vinyl. If I'm using a hair dryer I have to hold it close-ish to the fabric, on the high setting. It's the reverse for a heat gun; lowest setting and farther away. Either way, it's a pretty delicate procedure and if someone has never used either device to to soften something, I'd recommend a LOT of caution. Better to be careful and take longer than try to rush and ruin the vinyl. Even I take a long time to do it, going back and forth to the project to let the fabric cool, and I've been doing it for decades.

[springlockedfoxy]

Hey there! I've been making books for about four years now, and I use the purple gluesticks directly on the bookboard to adhere my more delicate cotton covers to my books. I haven't had any issues with air pockets, and the books turn out great! I'm able to use almost any type of fabric this way!

[beverleyf]

I use medium weight iron on interfacing (is it Pellon in US). I glue stick the interfacing to the board with the iron side facing up. Lay the boards in place, ie correct spacing. Then lay fabric on top and iron, gives a really sharp finish.
I’ve also used Heat n Bond in same manner, with no paper.
Also glued the boards to paper, then wrapped the fabric, so its only glued on inside edges.
All options work.

[meghanclark]

I took a little bookbinding in college and we would use water, starch paste, and a little dish soap to almost fuse the paper and fabric together. It was a longer process but sturdy

[nwgibbons]

Jennifer- How I iron vinyl: start with 2 clean dish clothes that are damp but not wringing wet. Make a “sandwich”: dish cloth, vinyl shiny side down, dish cloth. Warm iron to medium (I use the wool setting), start from the center of the sandwich and press outward to the edges- pressure depends on how thick the vinyl is. The damp dish rags get steaming and relax the creases in the vinyl. Your pal, Nate

[pachupac]

I recommend using the acrylic fabric medium combined with wheat starch paste. You can do both sides without ruining the face and it creates a barrier to moisture and stains. It also accepts hot foil nicely. It will however darken light colors and lighten dark colors, so definitely test it first! This is the method I always use and the cloth is extremely durable.

[kraznia]

For very thin fabrics, I've experimented with thin batting and fleece as a filler layer between the fabric and board (like quilting). My biggest issue has been fabric stretching over time because I didn't treat the fabric back. Thanks for the ideas to try.

[Sunnyreads]

I love making books. I used your coptic video and now I have a beautiful block just waiting for a cover! Might have to try this.

[hifoo]

These are great, thanks for showing us! 📖📘📕📙📚

[Nanakinsz]

Two suggestions for your next test: Have you considered ROLLING on the fabric medium? It will take more, but would be so much faster! And the last one, have you considered using Fabri-Tac as either/both the backing and the adhesive? I always love your experiments, thank you for doing them and sharing what you discover with us! ❤

[melanieruddy]

Awesome ideas! I love your bookbinding videos!!

[admirerofcreativity]

That was brilliant! I'm all about finding alternative ways to make things !!

[mareecuree]

thank you so much for doing this! from someone living in a country with very few materials for bookbinding, this is a big help!

[dyerswoad]

Thank you for sharing! Enjoyed seeing all your swatches, it's so fun to experiment!

[marilynbook]

I usually use either wheat paste or the heat and bond but I am going to try the fabric medium, I use that when using inktense on my fabric.

[katyahum]

DAS Bookbinding has a video about preparing the fabric for the bookbinding and it solves many of the problems you mention here in your video. I tried his techniques and work perfectly

[margaretf]

You can usually un wrinkle vinyl by hitting it with a hairdryer or heat gun (just don't get too close)