Saturday, February 16, 2008

Useful Things



Here are a few little items that make bookbinding easier:

One day I was browsing through the local craft shop, and in the quilting section found these grid thingies. They have turned out to be incredibly useful in all sorts of ways--I use them for measuring patterns for book covers, the edges for tearing handmade paper to size, for measuring where to put the holes for sewing leather, and on and on. I'm really crappy at math, so these little tools make life much easier!


This is an antique flat iron that I use as a weight. I picked it up at a neighbour's yard sale a few years back, and at some point realized how handy it was for keeping things like leather from scootching around while I am cutting it. I always liked my flat iron's curvy shape, and recently discovered a new good use for it--I use it as a pattern for cutting a nice, rounded edge on leather book covers. You can still find these around at antique shops, but they are getting more expensive, sadly, as people like to use them for decorating. Also, some of them have had a hard life, so are a bit rusty and in need of a bit of buffing and polishing (but then again, aren't we all?).



Finally, here's one of my very most favourite items in my bookbinding studio: my kitschy red pincushion! My aunt made this for me back in the 1970s, from a can lid, some red felt, rick-rack spray-painted gold, and beads. Divine! As you can see in the picture, it is just the right place to keep bookbinding needles :)

7 comments:

Gerushia's New World said...

Just a quick not to say thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog. My name change dilemma is so important to me and I appreciate all comments and opinions. You actually made me feel better about changing my name, as you mentioned that you did the same thing.

Again, thank you so much:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

moonandhare said...

Hi Kim, I know that it can be a real dilemma--I really agonized about changing my business name, but now I'm glad I did. It fits me better. BTW, I picked Moon Bindery partly because of the associations with the moon, but also in honour of my great-great grandfather, Quintilious V. Moon, who left behind some wonderful journals.

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Those measuring grids are awesome, the only thing that would make them more awesome is if they had a metal edge to them so you could cut against it without harming the plastic. C-Thru is a brand that does that, but I don't think they have this handy grid...

moonandhare said...

Exactly, cicada--I'm always worried that I'm going to hack up my grids when I cut against them--and they ain't cheap :)

Dana and Daisy said...

I love your little pin cushion. I use a cushion I found at a flea market. It was a popular design in the 80's, a little satin cushion with chinese looking figures surrounding it. They look so hard at work keeping my needles ever ready!

I love your blog and see many beautiful books you've made. I'd love to share mine with you. calicocatpress.blogspot.com

Rachael Shankman said...

What a fantastic little pin cushion! It has such character. The pin cushion I use was made by my mother, and I absolutely love it. It's nice to see something made in the family so long ago being loved and used still.

Unknown said...

never seen one of them grids before...looks dead useful