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It's easy to repair paperback books using Japanese bookbinding techniques. Just punch four holes through the book near the spine and lash it together with needle and thread. You can make sketch books, scrapbooks or blank books this way, too. To make smaller books, fold several sheets of paper paper carefully into halves or quarters, clamp the stack together and punch and bind it. Optionally, you can then slit the pages apart with a sharp knife afterwards, being careful not to cut the binding threads.
To rebind a paperback you will need:
- thin wire brads and a small hammer, or an awl
- heavy thread, six times as long as the book 's height
- needle
- pencil
- ruler
Binder clips are useful, too.
For a scrapbook or blank book, cut covers from card stock or a file folder.
Here's what you do:
2. Even up the pages and clamp the book together with binder clips, or weight down the front edge to keep the pages from moving. Protect your work surface with a piece of scrap wood or an old phone book as you punch a hole at each of the marked points using the awl or wire brads.
Making these holes should not damage the text in the book. Most paperback books have an inner margin of 1/2" to 3/4", leaving plenty of room for rebinding.
4. Now sew the rest of the book as shown in the accompanying illustrations. Pull the thread tight each time you go through a hole.