EASY Handmade Book: Book Making with String

A simple book technique that you can easily use for a handmade book with a step-by-step video tutorial included. Supplies needed are just basic office items, no fancy gadgets required.

Making books can seem daunting, but once you try these DIY book making ideas you will see that it can be as simple as you make it. On this blog, I have previously shared how to staple a booklet with a regular stapler, how to fold a paper into a book and how to make a sketchbook without sewing. Today let’s explore another handmade book idea that is a basic book making with string technique.

Today, I am sharing a favorite topic of mine- simple book making. I love making handmade books and these turned out super cute and are really very simple to make. My tutorial walks you through the steps.

Book Making with String Youtube:

See How to make a Handmade Book by clicking the video box below or To watch the video in HD on YouTube click the video box below and enjoy.

Simple Book Making Tutorial

Today, I have no written tutorial for you- just the video on how to make it. I hope you will watch and leave some feedback for me! This picture might make it look daunting, but this is really a simple book making with string technique that is easy to master!

Handmade Book Supplies used:

• Deco Arts Americana’s Multi surface Satin acrylic paints – in colors Chartruese, Inch worm, Peach silk, Shrimp, Waterfront and Coastal Waters.
• A large flat paint brush
• Different scrapbooking papers, these are 6 by 6 inches in size (a fun way to use up your 6 inch paper pad stash!)
• 3 Project Life cards for the cover of the books. Or use any 3 by 4inch sized sticker or photo that you have on hand.
• A pair of scissors
• A hole punch
• Some twine– In the video I have used an Ikea Onska thread, which I cant find online anymore. I would recommend using a Leather Sewing Waxed Thread instead.
• A stack of white cardstock sheets (also trimmed to 6 by 6 inches)
• Decoupage glue
• Painters tape
• Chipboard or card board sheets for the book covers

All done!

And here is a look at the finished books! I love how the simple book making with string in white contrasts against the colors and truly I just love any hand bound book period. And I like making things in multiples- since I already have all the supplies out. I couldn’t just make one and so I made three books.  

I simply love the look white against the colors! If you prefer you can also use a different colored string.

Measure out your holes, mark them once, check them twice to make sure they are all equidistant and perfect! The beauty of the handmade book will shine only when the holes are aligned neatly, and nothing is out of place.

Book Making with String is one the prettiest ways to make a book, the seam of the book looks so elegant, pretty and fancy even.

If you feel that this design I used here is a bit difficult, in my previous how to make a handmade journal post, I have further simplified the design yet the finished book looks stunning!

how to Tie a book with yarn

• Step 1: First start off by trimming your chipboard down to measure 6.5 by 6.5 inches. You will need 2 per book- one square for the front of the book and the other for the back.
• Step 2: Mark two dots along the edge of the chipboard, each dot is 1 inch from the edge closest to it. These will mark where we need to punch for the edging. 
• Step 3: Using a hole punch, punch out the two holes where we marked. Repeat this on the other chipboard piece as well. 
• Step 4: Choose papers for the inside of the book, and punch out holes in them as well. The inside papers should be 6 by 6 inches in size and I am using a mix of white cardstock and patterned papers today. You can use regular printer paper instead. Once you have everything punched, pull the yarn through the back chipboard, all of the papers. and then through the front chipboard.
• Step 5: Tie the yarn into a knot. And then tie another knot to create a strong double knot here. Repeat this for the other punched hole. 
• Step 6: Using a sharp pair of scissors trim off the excess yarn.

Now the book is ready and its the fun part! Decorate and personalize the book front in any which way you would like. Let your creativity shine here!

Hi I’m Smitha! I live in Minnesota with my husband and two daughters. You’ll always find me painting florals in my sketchbook. And I love the sheer joy of making something with just my hands! But my bigger love is capturing it all on camera Read more.

Thanks for stopping by today! If you learnt something from this tutorial, do share this post with a friend or on social media! Tag me @smithakatti #smithakatti I’d love to see what you create!

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