Japanese Stab Binding

I could have purchased a year pocket calendar for as low as $4 or so, but why do that when I'm capable of making my own? On to Pinterest and Google to look up bookbinding for the next great craft adventure. One website I found most informative and inspirational is Becca Making Faces, where the following two photos were taken from.

From the many different methods of binding books, what caught my eye was the beautiful and fairly simple method of Japanese stab binding. A basic bind would entail four holes, four wraps around the spine, and a wrap around each edge.

During the actual process of sewing the binding, the main objective is to sew the entire bind without ever repeating the same line, or not having two threads between the same two holes. 

-Binding method decided on. Check.

-Creation of monthly calendars in Powerpoint created/printed while watching the Brady Bunch on TV. Check. 

-On to the creation of the calendar covers!

Materials used: Cardboard from a cereal box, a page from my well-loved/retired Rand McNally road map, a sheet of white paper, scissors and glue.

In a blog by Carly and Kris, step by step instructions are provided to create a hand bound book. I thought it was interesting that the cover board is cut into a main section and a thinner spine section. This way the book can open and lay flat (while this seems obvious, if I hadn't read this bit, I was about to just cover my large square of cardboard whole!) 

This photo is from the blog post by Kris, I was too excited to take a photo of my materials!

With the cover assembled, I took to the basement and with a drill and a 1/16th inch bit, made a line of holes for the binding. Then, with a length of embroidery floss, I sewed the simple pattern and 5 minutes later, voila! I'm ready to be organized for the upcoming year!

I stuck to the simple/basic pattern as the spine of my calendar was too small for anything else. Next  year I'll be sure to make a spine of 1" or more so I can try out a more intricate design. If you haven't yet, again check out this page at Becca Making Faces and scroll down to see the creative designs she has created!