Testing DIY Book Cloth Alternatives (No HeatnBond), by Sea Lemon on YouTube. 9 min 16 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 16 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour plus drying time
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Cut your fabric at least 2 cm larger on every side than the book board it will cover. Trim away loose threads so the edges stay clean.
Lay the fabric face down on wax paper or a plastic sheet. Smooth out every wrinkle with your hands before you start coating.
Pour a little fabric medium into a cup. Dip the foam brush and spread a thin, even coat across the whole back of the fabric.
Work from the centre out to the edges so you push out air bubbles. Do not soak the fabric, or it will stiffen unevenly.
Lift the fabric and check for dry patches against the light. Add a second thin coat anywhere the medium looks missing.
Lay the coated fabric flat, medium side up, on wax paper. Place acid-free tissue paper over it and press gently to smooth it.
Leave it to dry fully, usually a few hours or overnight. Do not move it while wet or it will crease.
Once dry, the cloth should feel stiff and hold a fold. Trim the edges square and use it like bought book cloth with PVA glue.
Tips and common mistakes
Test the medium on a scrap first, since some fabrics darken or stiffen more than others.
A glue stick can work for small pieces but often leaves streaks and uneven stiffness.
Keep coats thin. Thick medium cracks when you fold the cloth around a spine.
Wipe dried medium off brushes with warm soapy water before it hardens.
Questions
Can I use any fabric for book cloth?
Light to medium weight cotton and linen work best. Stretchy, silky or loosely woven fabrics are hard to coat evenly and may fray at the edges.
How long does the fabric medium take to dry?
Usually a few hours, or overnight in a cool room. It is dry when the cloth feels stiff and no longer tacky to the touch.
Do I need HeatnBond to make book cloth?
No. Fabric medium gives a similar stiff backing without an iron, though the finish is slightly different and may need a test piece first.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
