Watercolor Booklet (Commission 1)

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Created a small-form watercolor booklet for first in-house commission. Used pewter sample stock for cover and single-page signatures to increase flexibility. Sewing method showed loosening over time, unsuitable for long-term use. Planned improvements include switching to thicker 18/3 linen thread, adopting a Coptic binding style, and using reinforced cover material for greater rigidity and stability.

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Date: Monday October 6, 2025

Classification: Week 1 Day 4 | Craft Day

Made: Small-form Watercolor Booklet

Notes: First In-House Commission

Piece: 6 of ∞

This was especially satisfying. Mrs. Vos has a sizeable stock of watercolor paper. Her ask was a portable book, easy to stow that would complement her equally portable watercolor set.

I already had leftover sample stock in pewter which covers the cover material. The first problem was the weight of the paper. I don’t want the end user to fight the paper to lay it flat. To give it more flexibility, I opted for single-page signatures.

I also wanted to improve my execution of the sewing style I learned from Four Keys Book Arts (see earlier posts for more).

Learned

1. While I was meticulous in sewing this style, it’s not the best for this application. Loosening seems to occur as it settles in, which isn’t a problem for a quick jot book, but in this case I’d like more wear with all.

2. The cover material may be too flexible. Imagine placing this on your knee on a train ride, balancing your portable watercolors, the pages bending to conform to the shape of the leg.

Improvements

1. I’m moving up to a thicker 18/3 linen thread and sewing the binding in a Coptic style.

2. I have leftover thick cover-like material that was used to reinforce the samples previously shipped to me. I think it’ll make a more rigid cover to protect against bending. Not quite hard but more than soft.

I started making the improved version yesterday and will update on progress once I have the new thread (Monday, October 13, 2025).