Part two of the making of the practical magic style spellbook. Creating book blocks.
Some tools you will need.
Awl
I am not going to walk you through step-by-step how to make your book blocks for your books because there is a great video on YouTube by sea lemon that walks you through that step by step.
I will tell you this; she puts several sheets in each signature but once you tea stain all your pages I have found it works best at three sheets per signature.
The big book block for main section of the Practical Magic style spellbook
Making book blocks may look a little difficult even with Sea Lemons easy-to-follow tutorial but trust me once you get going and get that technique down it will be so easy, the sewing will go so fast you’ll be amazed. My first book block I did curse a bit, especially when the needle stabbed a finger badly. Yes I am blaming the poor defenseless needle and not my hand sewing skills.
Sea lemon also has a video on how to make a book press.
She makes a small press and you will be amazed at how simple it is to make. My husband and I went to Home Depot, I found the piece of wood I liked and they actually cut it in half at the store for me. We came home, drilled holes, and put in the screws. That was it. The trip to Home Depot, getting the wood cut, me drilling the holes all took less than thirty minutes total.
I did make a much bigger size press than Sea Lemon because some of the spell books I am making are going to be huge. 18×24 is the finished size of the press.
My book press. Not pretty but functional.
Once the book blocks are complete the next step is to make the cover and spine for the book. I will post that in a few days.
The Pinteresting Life of Gotha Stewart 