This year I’ve got back into bookbinding. I had a storage container of partially made books that have been languishing. Besides finishing those I’ve also been playing around with some new designs.

Handmade Matchbook Design

I saw a cute picture on Instagram of a matchbook sized bound book and decided I could figure out how to made one from scratch without any directions.

Front of the Matchbook

I’d made the book and already bound the pages, before I’d figured out the closure. I settled on a simple flower button and string wrap closure with a bead. Next time I’ll figure out what closure I’m going to use before the stitch and stick the matchbook together, because I ended up with a clunky solution on this prototype.

I filled the matchbook with 4 signatures (1xwatercolour, 2xcraft paper, 1xcraft card) so it can be used for watercolour and sketching. These were sewn to the bottom panel of the matchbook.

I wanted to keep the matchbook pretty plain so made it using some brown craft paper that I bought at Flying Tiger Copenhagen. My favourite purchase is a selection of card stock and a lighter-weight paper in black, brown and white. It’s cheap as chips and really useful for all sorts of craft projects.

Back of the Matchbook

I recently discovered a quote by artist Paul Klee “A line is a dot that went for a walk”, and added this question on the back of the matchbook. I like that “dot” is so similar to “dog”, and at first glance this question looks like it has a spelling mistake in it. For this question to make sense, I’d need to include the Klee quote the matchbook.

I was just winging the dimensions and how to get this matchbook compiled, but I find it’s an interesting way to work on something creative. Much more enjoyable than following a set of how-to instructions. I wonder what that says about my creative process?

I couldn’t just make one!

They’re the ideal size for practicing with the Australian Piano Hinge Binding.