Beginner Bookbinding Class: Making Simple Notebooks Using the Hitch Stitch

2. Tools You'll Need: So to get started, you'll need some bookbinding tools. I'll be using traditional tools for this class. You might have some of them already. If not, you can purchase bookbinding tools at most art supply shops in the bookbinding section. Or you might purchase them online. Or you might have a sperms press book binders toolkit like this one. Or you might have a sprouts press DIY bookbinding kit. The DIY kits are a bit more beginner, but you can certainly use the tools from those with this class. Alright, let's take a look at what you're going to need for this class. So before you get started, it's a good idea to protect your work surface. A self-healing cutting mat is best for this. If it's got grid marks on it, that's great to help keep things lined up. You'll also need a bookbinding. All this is a light duty all it's meant for punching holes and paper. And it's got a fine point on the end. You'll also want something to protect the end when not in use because these are sharp tools. I've used the cork. Now you're bookbinding all might not look like this with a wooden handle. It might be something more like this one with the blue handle. It's a bit more beginner, totally fine. And it's just got a sharp point on the end and it punches holes through paper. Will need a few more things. I like to use a mechanical pencil. It's consistently sharp and provides, provides a nice fine point. You'll also need an eraser. Also a craft knife, a pair of scissors. And this is a folding tool. You'll need one of these. This one is made from bone. They can also be made from bamboo, wood. Teflon, maybe you have a letter opener you could use. This is a book binders needle. It's a number 18 book binders needle. You can also use a number one garners needle. The main point is that the needle is fairly strong and this one is about 2.5 inches long. And that's a good length. And you also want to make sure that the eye of the needle is large enough to accommodate your book binding thread. You're also going to need a piece of foam core. This one will make more sense once we get started, comes in large sheets and you cut it down. This one has been cut down to about 4.5 by seven inches. And you can get it in most art supply stores, maybe even the dollar store. You will also need a couple of binder clips. If you don't have any of these, it's okay. They do make things a bit easier though. Also a ruler. I prefer a metal ruler with cork on the back so it stays in place. If you have a plastic ruler that's fine. Just make sure that it has inches on it. And that's pretty much it. That's all you'll need for this class for tools.