I put together a number of hand-bound books using the Eastern stab binding technique.  I had taken a class in this at FOOL one year, and wanted to give it a shot – it was addictive!  This technique can be traced back to at least the 1600s during the Edo period in China, although the Japanese later continued and perfected the techniques. This style creates a design that is the same on both the front and back sides of the book.  Though I made many, many styles over a two-week period, I tried adapting a number of Viking runes and ancient symbols to this technique, modern star patterns, and more.

To bind a book in this manner, I first trim the papers and cover pages to a uniform size. I next use a cover sheet to carefully measure out a grid and design a pattern. Using that cover sheet as a guide, I then punch the holes using a hammer and nail. Choosing colours that will complement the book covers, I then sew the book in the desired pattern using a waxed thread. Care must be taken to sew the design in such a way that each thread passes through the pattern on each side of the book only once, ending back where I started.

The picture below was my own personal book, by far the most complicated, and not historical, but something just for me.  That was a complicated one to plan out!