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News

NEW: Covers for Wabi Sabi Cotton Rag Sketchbooks

August 24, 2023

Bookbinder holds corner of Cotton Rag Sketchbook with cover and Olive Green velvet ribbon closure lies against warm, wooden surface

An update to Wabi Sabi Sketchbooks: cotton rag paper with linen or velvet ribbons

When I designed the original Wabi Sabi Sketchbooks my intentions were threefold:
  1. to play with the idea of exposed spine bindings: I selected a binding style usually employed for cased-in (covered) books, rather than intended as an exposed spine style
  2. to evoke the Wabi Sabi aesthetic of incompleteness: I made a book without a cover
  3. to make a creative nod to American poet Emily Dickinson, who kept bundles of letters and poetry tied in 'packets': I extended the use of linen tape beyond short spine supports to become a flowing ribbon closure method.

For these reasons it was fitting that the cotton rag sketchbooks didn't have covers;. However, I know some artists really would like a cover for your sketchbook, to neatly archive it and ready it for storage once you've filled every page. Well, this update is for you!

Emily Dickinson inspired notebooks, journals and sketchbooks
Still versatile, still a lay flat sketchbook

The new covers don't alter the useful, lay flat function of the sketchbook. That means you can add the cover before using your sketcbook and still enjoy working on a page you don't have to fight with to keep open. No bulldog clips, stones or paperweights needed!

Lay flat cotton rag handmade paper sketchbook with cover and velvet ribbon
Archiving and storing your cotton rag sketchbooks

You can leave the cover just as it is for a beautifully understated, minimalist effect. Alternatively, you could title the spine and make your own design on the covers. They're heavyweight (300gsm) cotton rag with the same tactile qualities, media versatility and sustainbility credentials as the book's pages (210gsm).

Cotton Rag Sketchbook with cover, blank spine to title yourself
How to order a cover for your Wabi Sabi linen or velvet ribbon sketchbook

It's best to order a cover at the same time as your sketchbook. That's because each sheet of handmade cotton rag paper - and therefore each sketchbook - is unique and may vary slightly in size. So, I make an individual cover for each sketchbook.

Firstly, order your original linen ribbon Wabi Sabi Sketchbook here or the newer style velvet ribbon version in Olive or Forest Green here. Secondly, click here to add a cover.

I hope you find this update useful; if you have any questions or feedback please don't hesitate to contact me.

Susan

contact form | info@boundbyhand.co.uk | +44 (0)7748 759371



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Bound by Hand is the home of finely crafted books handmade in the UK by artisan bookbinder Susan Green. My books are made for everyone, everywhere and have been featured in Country Homes & Interiors, Country Living, ELLE and the Sunday Telegraph, amongst others. Working from my Dorset studio, I ship worldwide with express delivery options. Click here to contact me.


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