Rebinding

[MoritzGrimm]

I have never done bookbinding before, but am a very avid reader, and since last year my books have started falling apart (they have often been lent out to friends and family), and I was wondering if it would be possible to rebind them in leather, because I have always had a passion for leather books, however, they are originally paperbacks (the books I am looking to rebind, if anybody is interested is the entire Wheel of Time series, the Sword of Truth series and a collection of theological essays by Friedrich Nietzsche). If somebody could suggest a method and the tools required to do this it would be greatly appreciated. I am also looking to, once they are all bound, to experiment with gilding the titles, however I am not sure how to do that either or the rough cost associated with it.

Thank you for having time to read this,
Moritz Grimm

[bookbum]

Moritz,

It is definitely possible to rebind paperbacks in leather bindings but I'm afraid the remainder of your question about the methods and tools needed would take a book to explain. There are lots of tutorial on line to show you how and to show you what tools you'll need. Often, if you're handy, you can make a lot of the tools yourself as they can be quite expensive on line.

I'm sorry I can't explain more of the methodology here but it really would take a whole book to do.

[MoritzGrimm]

ok, thank you could you maybe direct me to some valuable guides on this?

[edenworkshops]

Yes, the subject of bindng in leather would take a whole book to explain.

There are more books available now on bookbinding than ever before, I am rather out of touch with modern publications. I found the Thames & Hudson Manual of Bookbinding to be comprehensive and quite easy to follow.

Or you could consider getting a DVD tutorial, there are very good ones around.

Not wishing to blow our own trumpet too much, we do supply a DVD by Nick Cowlishaw called Leather Binding which has had good reviews.

Or better still any chance of enrolling on an evening class, now that is a good way to learn.

Good luck.

Richard

[bookbum]

There are also lots of weekend classes around. In what part of ghe world do you live?