Japanese Butterfly Bookbinding

The Japanese style of bookbinding known as butterfly binding is beginner-friendly and requires no special tools or materials, just paper and glue. In this short workshop, you will learn a little about the history of bookbinding in Japan while you make a small notebook. Ages 13 and up.

Supplies: 

• 20 sheets of paper 8.5" x 5.5" (half-letter size)
• Decorative paper large enough to cut: (pieces will be cut in class)
  • 2 pieces 5.5" x 6.75"
  • 1 strip 5.5 " x ~1-1.5"
• Glue (rice or wheat-starch based glue is best, PVA glue will also work)
• Glue brush (optional, glue can also be applied with your fingers)
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Box lid or other object with right angle to place pages against as you glue them (optional)
• Parchment or wax paper (optional)
• Bookbinding press or heavy book (optional)