Ooo. Made it, thanks. After each fold i dragged the side of a ruler over the fold too get a crisper edge. Use the ruler on a slight angle. Origami trick.
I see this particular folded book from time to time over the years, but your take on it is terrific. I love how you did this one-sheet version, because I always seem to have sheets of paper that I'd love to turn into a book. This is so cool - so happy you shared! This is likely something you already know, but for what it's worth, those cracks you get when folding paper is because it's not folded along the grain. Anytime you want to make a handmade book, you need to determine whether the grain is on the long side (length) of the sheet of paper or the short side (width). The fold, the spine of your book pages need to be going in the same direction as the grain. You can figure this out by slightly bending/folding opposite edges of the long sides together, only enough to feel if it will easily fold. If it does, this your grain-side. The short side won't bend as easily and you know that if you continue, you will get those cracks. Edited to add: The above is simply an explanation and how to avoid the cracks. For this I am soooo not going to worry over them. hehe......
Hi Helen I have made three of these now and love them. I have made a cover to hold another two of them , five all up, from the cover of an old book to hold five of them together and they make a lovely little book of my small art work, . I had to trim the book cover down and I then covered it with some lovely paper I had then I will put them altogether when I finish two more. Thanks for this Helen.
I’ve been making one page sketch books since 1985 and use them as an artistic meditative process - they’re such good fun and you’ll surprise yourself with the results - great idea for you to share Helen!
Hi Helen,Thank you so much for showing us how to make Mini Sketchbooks,I love them,and have a tip,use a Bone folder on the creases,it gives a crisp fold,I got mine quite cheaply on Amazon,it makes such a difference.My little Grandaughter loves the books for drawing her stories in,Thanks again.x
I use to use the one page fold like this to make little digital zines in Photoshop. I have now completed two of them in water color paper like you have demonstrated here and use them for just massive doodling and watercolor exploration but I LOVE the cleaned-up edges you cut here! What a difference that makes! I also thought I'd sharer that if the spine is a bit broken or messy, one idea is to use book binding tape. I bought a big roll of it off amazon some time ago ( it was not that cheap bit worth every red cent)! It could be cut to the thickness one prefers but its an idea! Love your channel Helen huge fan of your work website and blog!
Fantastic tutorial, Helen! I love your videos and just ordered your book! Thank you so much! Also, there is a little tool called a quilting seam roller. It is a little hand held roller that is designed to quickly hand press fabric seams without using an iron. It is perfect for folding and glueing papers. Saves your fingers from wear and tear, and you remove any concern of smudging the images on your papers. You could also use a quilting square and rotary cutter, both of which are designed for cutting quilting fabrics, to square up your books a little more safely than using a box cutter and ruler.
I have also made quite a few one page mini art journals, love them! So very easy to make! However gluing them is great idea (and yes some of mine are wonky too lol 😄) also reinforcing them helps them last longer so a definite plus for me! So thank you Helen 😊
Hi Helen. Love these! I've made my first one and it's sparked an idea that I want to explore which I am ridiculously excited about! Really appreciate all your brilliant ideas. Can't wait to make some more 😊👍 x
I've just tried this Helen and made a video about it! I have linked to your channel. This is wonderful for someone like me who has a fear of regular pristine sketchbooks and paper! I will be able to experiment knowing I have only 'sacrificed' one sheet of paper! 😄
Thank you so much for the tutorial that’s really helpful! I’m going to try it and watch you at the same time. I love these because it’s something that you can do rather quickly. And I like how you did the color wash before the original fold.♥️🌿
I’m so excited. hubby bought me your book on Kindle. I’m just loving your channel, your art, something about your style as a person and artist make me feel so excited and inspired thank you!
Ooh! Can’t wait to try! I guess if you have several you could join them all together. Lots of possibilities! Thank you! (P. S. Just ordered your book from Amazon. Excited!) ❤
I use either. Hot pressed paper is smoother so better for details and drawing, cold pressed paper can take more paint…so really depends. You can make these books from most kinds of paper though, doesn’t need to be special paper, I tend to use whatever I have lying around providing it can be folded… x
Ooo. Made it, thanks.
After each fold i dragged the side of a ruler over the fold too get a crisper edge. Use the ruler on a slight angle. Origami trick.
I see this particular folded book from time to time over the years, but your take on it is terrific. I love how you did this one-sheet version, because I always seem to have sheets of paper that I'd love to turn into a book. This is so cool - so happy you shared!
This is likely something you already know, but for what it's worth, those cracks you get when folding paper is because it's not folded along the grain. Anytime you want to make a handmade book, you need to determine whether the grain is on the long side (length) of the sheet of paper or the short side (width). The fold, the spine of your book pages need to be going in the same direction as the grain. You can figure this out by slightly bending/folding opposite edges of the long sides together, only enough to feel if it will easily fold. If it does, this your grain-side. The short side won't bend as easily and you know that if you continue, you will get those cracks.
Edited to add: The above is simply an explanation and how to avoid the cracks. For this I am soooo not going to worry over them. hehe......
That’s brilliant knowledge to share with folk Thank you so much 😊
Hi Helen I have made three of these now and love them. I have made a cover to hold another two of them , five all up, from the cover of an old book to hold five of them together and they make a lovely little book of my small art work, . I had to trim the book cover down and I then covered it with some lovely paper I had then I will put them altogether when I finish two more. Thanks for this Helen.
Wow, Isabel that is just wonderful to know! Thank you and good luck with all your creative endeavours x
I’ve been making one page sketch books since 1985 and use them as an artistic meditative process - they’re such good fun and you’ll surprise yourself with the results - great idea for you to share Helen!
I totally agree! They are a great artistic tool. Thank you x
I also round the corners, by cutting a tiny curve off when i have finished making books like this. It adds a little extra finish. And different feel.
That’s a lovely idea, thank you for sharing it x
I adore these little books and I’ve wanted to learn how to make them. Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful. Thank you for the lovely comment xx
Hi Helen,Thank you so much for showing us how to make Mini Sketchbooks,I love them,and have a tip,use a Bone folder on the creases,it gives a crisp fold,I got mine quite cheaply on Amazon,it makes such a difference.My little Grandaughter loves the books for drawing her stories in,Thanks again.x
Great tip! Thank you so much, I keep meaning to buy one and it has never quite made it to the top of my to do list. Love Helen xx
I use to use the one page fold like this to make little digital zines in Photoshop. I have now completed two of them in water color paper like you have demonstrated here and use them for just massive doodling and watercolor exploration but I LOVE the cleaned-up edges you cut here! What a difference that makes! I also thought I'd sharer that if the spine is a bit broken or messy, one idea is to use book binding tape. I bought a big roll of it off amazon some time ago ( it was not that cheap bit worth every red cent)! It could be cut to the thickness one prefers but its an idea! Love your channel Helen huge fan of your work website and blog!
Oh thank you and that is a wonderful idea and addition. Hooray for sharing ideas.. thank you x
Love that idea I’m going to look for the book binding tape
Your sketchbooks are so inspiring
Wow thank you Mona. How nice of you x
Fantastic tutorial, Helen! I love your videos and just ordered your book! Thank you so much!
Also, there is a little tool called a quilting seam roller. It is a little hand held roller that is designed to quickly hand press fabric seams without using an iron. It is perfect for folding and glueing papers. Saves your fingers from wear and tear, and you remove any concern of smudging the images on your papers.
You could also use a quilting square and rotary cutter, both of which are designed for cutting quilting fabrics, to square up your books a little more safely than using a box cutter and ruler.
Oh how lovely of you and what kind and thoughtful suggestions for us.. thank you so very much! Love Helen
Quilting seam roller! Must find one--thanks so much!
I have also made quite a few one page mini art journals, love them! So very easy to make! However gluing them is great idea (and yes some of mine are wonky too lol 😄) also reinforcing them helps them last longer so a definite plus for me! So thank you Helen 😊
Oh that’s great. Glad it was helpful Sandra. Have fun x
Hi Helen. Love these! I've made my first one and it's sparked an idea that I want to explore which I am ridiculously excited about! Really appreciate all your brilliant ideas. Can't wait to make some more 😊👍 x
That is just the best news. I’m so so happy that’s it’s sparked an idea. Brilliant stuff and good luck Wendy x
Thank you for sharing this idea!
I've just tried this Helen and made a video about it! I have linked to your channel. This is wonderful for someone like me who has a fear of regular pristine sketchbooks and paper! I will be able to experiment knowing I have only 'sacrificed' one sheet of paper! 😄
Oh wonderful! Thank you so much for your kindness. That's just great. x
This is so so helpful..i have many many of these books but always struggled with rough edges. I am going to use this trick all the time. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful! Have fun x
Genuis!! I have been looking at one sheet books elsewhere, but they have pockets, etc and are more complex...I LOVE this version. Thank you Helen!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much Louise xx
Thank you lots for this tutorial - so clear and inspiring!
You are so welcome! Thank you Mari x
Thanks for the great tutorial! I'm going to try it out on my big watercolour pad right now! 💝😍🎀
Oh that's wonderful.- careful though its a little addictive. I've made LOADS! tee hee. xx
Thank you so much for the tutorial that’s really helpful! I’m going to try it and watch you at the same time. I love these because it’s something that you can do rather quickly. And I like how you did the color wash before the original fold.♥️🌿
You are so welcome! Hope you have fun x
Beautiful, thanks for sharing ✨
Oh my pleasure Julia, thank you so much.... X
Thank you, for sharing.
My pleasure! Thank you for watching x
I’m so excited. hubby bought me your book on Kindle. I’m just loving your channel, your art, something about your style as a person and artist make me feel so excited and inspired thank you!
Oh wow Mary thank you so so much for your lovely support. I’m really chuffed with your enthusiasm. Thank you so, it means a lot. Helen xx
Love it.
Oh thank you so much x
Ooh! Can’t wait to try! I guess if you have several you could join them all together. Lots of possibilities! Thank you! (P. S. Just ordered your book from Amazon. Excited!) ❤
Oh wow thank you so Debra. I do hope you like it. Wishing you every success in all your art making. Have fun xx
Thank you for sharing, so inspiring and lovely
You are so welcome! Thank you so much Helen x
Thank you
You're welcome x
💗🙏💗😊
Thank you so much 😊
Do you use hot press? Or cold press paper for your sketchbooks?
I use either. Hot pressed paper is smoother so better for details and drawing, cold pressed paper can take more paint…so really depends. You can make these books from most kinds of paper though, doesn’t need to be special paper, I tend to use whatever I have lying around providing it can be folded… x
A small sketch book like this may not be as intimidating for me.
Good for you Dolores. Have fun 🤩