Binding Stiches: Japanese Stab Binding

Original post by Sarah @ Renewed Upon a Dream, please visit her website for more great ideas!”

Today I want to introduce you to one of the most inexpensive book bindings in my shop, Japanese Stab Bindings.  Most of my stab bound books are “soft cover” so they don’t have paper covered bookboard as the covers, instead, they have a double sheet of Indian Woodblock paper as the covers.  I say a double sheet because I cut the piece extra long, so that I can fold it in half.  The folded end is on the side of the book that opens (not the binding side) so that when you open the covers, the pattern extends from the front covers to the inside covers.

Indian Woodblock paper is a nice thick paper.  Very nice to the touch.  They can be quite glitzy, with many having metallic elements to them.  They are usually made of 100% cotton & the patterns are carefully individually printed onto the pages.  You can learn more about traditional woodblock printing here.  Doubled up, it makes a great, sturdy, soft cover for these books.

There are many varieties of stab bindings, but most of mine use the same template.  I learned this template in a bookbinding class held at my favorite store Hollanders.  This is the store where I get many of my materials & cover papers.  I LOVE having a book arts store so close to home.  I can walk there on my lunch break from work & pick up anything I need.  So convenient & environmentally friendly to not have to ship all of my materials!

These books are fairly easy to make.  All I need is:

-Text or drawing paper (hand torn to size from large sheets)
-Indian Woodblock cover paper (cut to size from large sheets)
-Waxed thread

I create a template to help me accurately mark the pages for punching holes on the binding side with my awl.  Once all the holes are made, I can follow my pattern to stitch the book together.

These books are great to have around to take notes in, sketch in, or use for keepsakes.  They are a perfect entry-level book for someone who is newly curious about handbound books & want to see what they are all about.  They would make a great stocking stuffer for someone special as well!

Remember that I’m glad to do custom orders as well!  If you want a custom order done that you’d like to receive by Christmas, please remember to contact me by December 16th!  That means you have a little less than two weeks!  Orders for pre-made items must be made by December 18th, so make sure you plan ahead!

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