Journals & Bookbinding
The recommendations on this page are for items that I personally use and trust because they make my life easy and they work!
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Book-Binding
An awl makes it easy to punch holes in signatures and book covers. I like this wooden handle awl – it’s very comfortable to use.
A clear quilting ruler with non-slip pads underneath is useful for cutting and trimming printable journals and other papers.
A rounded corner cutting punch that actually works well! Three sizes in one punch.
Paper
This chipboard is perfect for journal and book covers. Can be sewn through using a sewing machine.
A medium-weight cardstock that is perfect for journal pages that need more support than what copy paper offers, but not quite as rigid as 100lb cardstock.
110lb Cardstock is perfect for making journal pages that can be used for collage and for stitching.
24lb copy paper is slightly thicker than standard copy paper which makes it ideal for using in writing journals or for tea-staining.
Khadi paper is another of my favorite papers for making pages for journals. Khadi paper is handmade using cotton rag so it’s thick with a beautiful texture, and is perfect for hand sewing.
Rice Paper
This paper has two sides, one smooth and one textured. It can be used for collage and mixed-media journal pages.
Paper Distresser
This tool is used for distressing the edges of paper and cardstock to create an authentic aged paper look. Can also be used as a thread cutter.
Paints & Dyes
Assemblage Hand-Dyeing
For professional hand-dyeing results, sign up for the Assemblage Hand-Dyeing Online Workshop where I show you how to hand-dye beautiful and unique fabrics, fibers and threads.
Tulip Tie Dyes are not just for tie-dyeing – you can do any type of dyeing with them. Plus they’re easy to use if you’ve never hand-dyed before.
Paint Brushes
A good range of paint brush sizes are needed for painting background papers and overpainting photos.
Water Brush Pen
A water buush pen is ideal for watercolor painting when traveling, or for quick watercolor sketches.
Water Brush Pen Set
This set of water brush pens includes 3 point tip brush pens and 3 flat tip brush pens (small, medium, large).
Texture Combs
Texture combs are used for making texture marks when using paint or gel mediums.
A water buush pen is ideal for watercolor painting when traveling, or for quick watercolor sketches.
Glue
Elmers Craftbond Extra Strength Glue Sticks
This glue is extra strength and perfect for gluing paper and lightweight fabric.
Scor-Tape
When you want stuff to REALLY stick. This is the strongest and stickiest tape I have ever used.
Sewing
This is a good starter sewing machine with many automatic features, and many more advanced features that you can ‘grow with’ over time.
Peltex heavy-weight stabilizer comes in three different types – sew-in (Pellon 70F), one-sided fusible (Pellon 71F), and two-sided fusible (Pellon 72F). The two-sided fusible (72F) is the most rigid and is my favorite type of heavyweight stabilizer. It’s perfect for making book and journal covers.
Sulky Tear-away Stabilizer
This is standard tearaway stabilizer. I use it to stabilize my sewing for lots of different applications, but particularly when sewing decorative machine stitches because it helps to support the stitching and they turn out beautiful every time.
Grade 50 Cheesecloth
Grade 50 is my favorite type of cheesecloth. It has a slightly open weave which makes it more manageable to work with than the standard cheesecloth you find in craft stores or the supermarket which is much more open weave than grade 50. Cheesecloth is used to add texture and for layering, and it can be easily painted, dyed or stained.
