Book Binding and Finishing Touches

 On June 7th, we had the pleasure of attending a second book binding workshop presented by the Brass Gears Adventure society, and led by Susan Leabhart.  Journals were created, but we had different plans.  Ms. Donovan created a replacement insert for her leather bound journal case. I however, traversed yet another path and generated a complete hand bound and covered version of the Ni No Kuni, Wisards Spellbook.


Once the 340 pages had been folded into signatures, punched, and bound using the Coptic Stitch method demonstrated by Susan.  It was time to move forward with the cover, and transitioning it into a perfect binding.  For my purposes, I covered the spine in Mod Podge, careful to not let the glue get anywhere but the spine.  Once covered it was flipped on edge and covered in a piece of black material.  I used some cans to hold it in position until the Mod Podge had fully dried overnight.

For the cover I wanted an embossed look, and was able to achieve such a look by layering hard board shapes up.  I also added some extra flair with flat leather cording, and a drop of magic sealed in a red stone for the cherry on top.  Slathering the edges in glue the whole was wrapped in a soft faux leather material and left to dry.

I wasn't pleased with the level of emboss so I used some Black Acrylic to add shadow to the emboss, and grant it more of a worn and dirtied look.  Fizgig Von Scrufflebottom was showing me all the spots I missed along the way.

Once the shadowing was dry, some more decorative elements 

were affixed, as well as setting the stone in place.

Voila, une Wiseard's Spellbook al a Ni No Kuni. 

Till next our Paths Cross.