Wednesday, February 20, 2008

How to pick a book to alter

I'm starting a new AB and, since we were having a discussion on ABC on the best book to alter, I thought I would show how to choose a book whose signatures have been sewn.

Check the spine. If it pulls away from the signatures and has threads showing, it is sewn. See the gap? If you don't see a gap, use pages from the book, but not the book itself. If there is a gap, but you can't see the threads, use pages from the book, but not the book itself.
If you click on this photo which will give you a bigger image, you will see bits of the thread that separates one signature from another. At the top, you see the first page of one signature. At the bottom is the last page of another signature. As an aside, I really CAN spell. I just didn't notice the spelling mistake until I clicked on a large image. Was I surprised when I saw "fuirst." Oh well, I'm sure Photoshop has spell check, but I don't know where it is.You can see the the thread in the center of a single signature.
This is a single signature in this book. A signature is a set of pages bound into the book. Signatures usually have an equal number of pages.

Hopefully this will help at least a few new ABers, and prevent a heartache when their partially completed book falls apart (and I assure you, it will).

29 thoughtful remarks:

Donna: said...

ELizabeth, your tutorial was great. I have tried to experiment on how to find sewn books for a long time. Here you go and show me in just a few minutes. Thank you, and found my book for the class on my own book case.
- Donna (findingsart)

basia said...

All set Elizabeth. Going to look for a book right now. Also, I am wondering if you got my e-mail regarding your instructions for placing the ab website under favorites? Please let me know. Thaks, Barbara
barbarasaintjacques@mac.com

Cattrix said...

Ok, my book is a kids book with only about 50 pages but it seems to fit the criteria.. (I Know a Fireman ) 1967 YAY!

Cattrix said...

Ok, I went back and read the COMPLETE post, and my book may not work. I will find one with at least 300 pages.
Shoot.

Ivy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nona said...

Read & understood, thanks!

Caroline said...

I've got a book I'm planning to use - it is just short of 300 pages - but otherwise perfect.

Ariana said...

Read & understood!! :)

Robin said...

Read & understood. Thanks Elizabeth :)

jackie said...

Yep! Got it!

Terry from Georgia said...

I've looked before at thrift stores and Goodwill stores and haven't found a sewn book - am going "thrifting this weekend" so will look more carefully to find the correct book. Good pics and instructions on figuring out if a book is sewn or not!

Terry in Atlanta

Sherrie and Becky said...

thanks,good instructions. i have a text book chosen
sherrie

Cattrix said...

Got my book. :)

Debbi said...

Read & understood. Will go find a SEWN book soon. Thanks- Debbi

angldyknip said...

Read it, now on to find one.thank you so much, this is going to be a blast.
sharon

Leann said...

Hi there! Read and ready. Thanks for taking the time.
-Leann

gatormom said...

I have my book but still don't know about a theme yet. Any suggestions?

Nicks said...

sorted thank you x

SmilingSun said...

Boy I am already learning things. How books are but together is pretty interesting.. I plan to get my book this week-end. Now that I have all the information in picking out a good book to use..

Thanks
SmilingSun (BJ)

Cheryl F. said...

Read your tutorial. Am ready for the 15th. Thanks again,
Cheryl F.

Unknown said...

Read & understood. :)

~Melissa

Jackie B said...

Elizabeth, I do have a sewn book yeah! Thanks Jackie B

craftirn said...

I'm getting my book today
Barb Roberts

Josie said...

Hi Elizabeth,
I read your tutorial and look forward to altering my book!
Josie

Trish said...

Elizabeth - thanks for the link to this. As a true newbie, I would not have known what to look for, thinking a book was a book. Now I know different, so the hunt is on!
I am SO looking forward to this class!

Trish

Ginny Gaskill said...

Found my book and I'm ready to go.
Ginny

Heather said...

Sorry, Elizabeth, I read over your directions several times, but somehow missed the part that said to comment here if we understand how to pick our book. That doesn't make me look very good at following directions, does it? LOL I do have a book, its sewn not glued and seems to be pretty sturdy. :)

Spyder said...

I'm here! Thank you for the link.

peggy aplSEEDS said...

well, that seems simple enough to start with. i will check my box of books to alter and see if there is one with sewn signatures. ah, one step closer to starting on an altered book!