I just finished up my very first coptic stitch logbook and wanted to share my excitement! :-) It turned out better than I ever dreamed and was much easier than I thought it would be.

I bought this book at half.com after it was recommended to me by a couple of NY boxers last Spring.

Making Books & Journals by Constance E. Richards (part of The Weekend Crafter series)

The instructions were pretty easy to follow. There are LOTS of pictures. And it doesn't just show coptic stitch...there are 20 differnt projects.

Okay...off to make another one! ;-)

YankeeChiK

Cool! I can do the Japanese stab binding, thanks to the Dremel tool, but I need to broaden my binding horizons. And, I can always use another book. :-)

I'm looking forward to seeing that book!

Jenni P McD

Remind me next time we get together and I'll bring it! :-)

Congrats. you have inspired me to finish one i started at Christmas.

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I can do the Japanese stab binding, thanks to the Dremel tool,

How do you use the Dremel for your binding? I have done the Japanese stab binding but I use a awl, and hammer (sorta thing I don't know if it is an offical awl but it works) to punch holes threw the whole binding. So how does the dremel work?

Mystic Dreamer

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And if anyone needs some real deer sinew, we've got lots here in Alaska. ;) The shipping would be a bit pricey. Besides making logbooks you can also use it to sew your sealskin to the frame of your kayak. Mutli useful stuff.

You can get the articfial deer sinew on Ebay or sometimes at your local hobby shop. I have used it for in many different art and craft projects. I haven't needed it to make a kayak, but I have used it to lace up my boots after the other laces broke. Made dream catchers with it, and sewn up leather projects. I also use to make all my log books.

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How do you use the Dremel for your binding?

Where you use the awl and hammer, I just put a bit on the Dremel and drill the hole. What I've found is to also make sure you have the paper cliped down tight, so it doesn't buckle too much. I use the binder clips...and lots of them. There's plenty of paper dust, but it's a small price to pay for getting the holes drilled so quickly.

Hope this helps.

Jenni P McD

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Where you use the awl and hammer, I just put a bit on the Dremel and drill the hole.

What type of bit do you use in the Dremel? And are you making 1/8" diameter holes, or smaller?

-- Kirbert

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Where you use the awl and hammer, I just put a bit on the Dremel and drill the hole.

I use the awl and the hammer to punch the holes, well put holes in the log books to sew threw but I have found the holes to be a little tight some times I need a pair of pliers to pull the needle threw. I saw on a web site a "japanese screw handle" for log books that said that it put perfect little holes, just wondering if the dremel does the same thing. I have a dremel, not a $60 japanese tool.

Mystic Dreamer
PS like kirbert ask what size of drill bit do you use????

I use a five stitch binding for my logbooks that is similar to the Japanese Stab binding. I started out using an awl, but had the same trouble with the holes being too small to pull the needle through-especially with a thicker logbook or thicker thread.
I got two hand held hole punches in my stocking that work beautifully. They are both like a normal office hole punch with handles, not the little square craft punches. One is 1/16 inch and one is 1/8 inch. I can punch through 20 sheets of 20 lb. weight paper at a time. It might be a little slower than a dremmel, but the holes are beautiful. There is no dust and the punch removes the paper from the hole rather than just pushing it aside like the awl does.
You can find them at many craft or scrapbooking stores and would be significantly cheaper than either a dremmel or specialty tool. I think they were $8 each.
Stacy

oh goodness..I have no idea what size drillbit. That came through trial and error until I could fairly easily get the needle to move through the holes. Since I use a variety of threads (from hemp to embroidery) the size changes.