Making & Aging A Book

[nick_horror]

I'm looking to add a Necronomicon to my collection of H.P. Lovecraft-inspired props. Now, I'm not looking to put anything in the book, it is for pure esthetics, to be housed in a glass case like a museum piece.

I have had no luck in finding a blank journal that is the right thickness for what I want (something about the size of a Bible, with a good, stiff cover--the the book in "The Ninth Gate" is a perfect example). And then I came across Sulla's post about his "Supernatural" hunter's book and I believe this might be a viable solution--to just make my own book.

I am a novice so is it very difficlut to make your own book? Or should I just settle for continuing to scower ebay for a journal that fits my requirements--which has, so far, been nearly eight months without a good option.

 

[kalkamel]

You can follow this guide: http://www.indianajones.dk/Webside/Billeder/Indy-side/Grail/Make a Diary/How to make a diary.pdf

This is a tutorial on making and binding your own Grail Diary so you need to change the dimensions to suit your replica. Good luck!

 

[nick_horror]

Thank you. Is this pretty much the standard way to do it, or is there another way?

What I'm looking for is something like the below image for a final product. does anyone know how to add the ridged to the spine like that?

 

[TridCloudwalker]

You'd have to soak the human skin....er "leather" in very hot water for a while, and then stretch it over a forming buck.

Or you could make it out of craft foam and brush liquid latex over the whole thing.

 

[SmilingOtter]

You might find something here that'll help:
http://necrobones.com/mythos/

 

[Ramiel]

You can achieve the ridged spine glueing cord into the spine before you cover it with leather...

 

[nick_horror]

What about recovering an existing book to meet my needs? Has anyone done this successfully?

 

[Rhett J Martin]

Cool thread . .I'll definatly be watching this as I'm gonna start a "Pirata Codex" to keep stuff in . . .

 

[nick_horror]

How well does "pleather" work as a book cover? Will it shrink if wet--which is what I want? Will it age well with sandpaper like leather?

 

[Ramiel]

Pleather and sandpaper don't work well together...
With water it could stain and when it's dry it became "brittle" leaving small "scales" of plastic... A real mess!
I'd go with real leather!

 

[Darth Brass]

I'm doing a similar project - where can I get appropriate leather? What thickness, etc...

 

[nick_horror]

I'm doing a similar project - where can I get appropriate leather? What thickness, etc...

I was about to ask the same thing. Thanks my Missouri neighbor.

 

[roboprop]

Here's a good site for book binding leather...

http://www.hollanders.com/supplies/...tegoryID=1456c794-c5d7-4dec-b8a2-f9eeb64a6a56

 

[nick_horror]

Holy $hit!! I was hoping to pick up less than a yard for much less than that. A little too pricey for my budget. :cry

 

[Serenity]

Try local upholstery shops; the leather I use for my Grail Diary was given to me for free by a lady who runs a shop.

Hardware shops and craft stores often have leather available too.

Also, there's Tandy Leather, whose catalog has pretty much every type of leather possible...
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/

 

[nick_horror]

Try local upholstery shops; the leather I use for my Grail Diary was given to me for free by a lady who runs a shop.

Hardware shops and craft stores often have leather available too.

Also, there's Tandy Leather, whose catalog has pretty much every type of leather possible...
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/

Ah, now that's a good idea.:thumbsup

 

[DarthBish]

I'm sure I saw a technique once that involved tissue paper, wallpaper glue...(or flour and water)...and shoe polish.

Came up looking a treat.

 

[Ramiel]

I'm sure I saw a technique once that involved tissue paper, wallpaper glue...(or flour and water)...and shoe polish.

Came up looking a treat.

So... A kind of paper mache, right?
Yeah, it could give some nice results...

 

[nick_horror]

I found some leather at my local hobby store, but the backside has kind of a felt-like/ suede feel to it. Will this work, or is it to thick? I've never worked with this media before so I'm not sure of its natural or desired state.

 

[Serenity]

I found some leather at my local hobby store, but the backside has kind of a felt-like/ suede feel to it. Will this work, or is it to thick? I've never worked with this media before so I'm not sure of its natural or desired state.

Most leather, unless it's really thin, will probably have that sort of feel to it. As long as you make sure it's pressed tightly against the cover material (cardboard, or what have you) when you glue it, it should be fine.