... How To Make Your Own Cahier ...

[TMLee]

You're a born teacher as well as an innovative craftsman! I'll print these off for future reference (i.e., the dead of winter when I have time for fun projects).

 

And, you're a pretty darned good photographer as well.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Thanks and you are most welcome

[weemeng]

Very nice! Especially the pictorial instructions on how to stitch the pages together. Thk you very much.

 

I'm wondering instead of stitching the pages together, is there any reason why we can't staple it together?

[txinsk]

Very nice! Especially the pictorial instructions on how to stitch the pages together. Thk you very much.

 

I'm wondering instead of stitching the pages together, is there any reason why we can't staple it together?

 

This could be stapled together. You must make sure everything is perfectly lined up with the stapler else either it will look sloppy or the staples will get in the way of the fold. The sewing seems to be a bit sturdier.

 

Rick

[TMLee]

Very nice! Especially the pictorial instructions on how to stitch the pages together. Thk you very much.

 

I'm wondering instead of stitching the pages together, is there any reason why we can't staple it together?

 

Yes you can staple them together.

 

But again, as explained, this is a DIY quikie project requiring no special eqpt that's hard to find.

Staplers have their limitations. You need not-so-easy-to-find-staplers if your Cahier is bigger than A6 size.

 

Also in other aspects, for eg, mentioned above, staples vs stitches have obvious differences and advantages.

 

I can think of :

1) staples will rust quite quickly, this matters bcos some pple have a system of using Cahiers and filing them in an orderly fashion. As each Cahier is filled or created based on a topic/theme, it gets shelved and can also be retrieved for new entries.

Stitches don't rust of course.

Incidentally, I am using a more than 20yr old Campus Kokuyo notebook that is stitched the same way.

The pages have all yellowed. The spine book cloth is also crumbling. But NOT the binding nor it's stitch cords.

 

2) as mentioned above, stitches are more 'sturdy' . I take this to mean that the Cahier is less prone to 'wobble' since the stitches traverse the entire height of the spine.

 

3) aesthetics. Stitches look great don't they ?

Depending on yr needs, you can colourcode your Cahiers perhaps by using different colored stitch cords.

 

Enjoy

[weemeng]

 

I can think of :

1) staples will rust quite quickly, this matters bcos some pple have a system of using Cahiers and filing them in an orderly fashion. As each Cahier is filled or created based on a topic/theme, it gets shelved and can also be retrieved for new entries.

Stitches don't rust of course.

Incidentally, I am using a more than 20yr old Campus Kokuyo notebook that is stitched the same way.

The pages have all yellowed. The spine book cloth is also crumbling. But NOT the binding nor it's stitch cords.

 

 

Ahh, the passage of time .... something I didn't consider. I thought that the use of these little notebooks are temporal things, to be filled up with short urgent/unimportant notes. Once it's filled up, it's just tossed away.

[kwpalzang]

I like this tutorial!! Thanks for posting it! I'm going to have to try to make one for myself soon.

 

Ah, making it with staples? But isn't working with stitches much more fun and doesn't it produce a more attractive result?

 

Well, of course it wouldn't matter if it's going to be more of a temporary memo sort of thing, but then again, if it's going to be thrown away anyway, might as well just cover it with nothing at all and save the postcards for a more permanent project, but that's just coming from the bias of my obsessive hoarding traits.

 

Speaking of which, I finished binding a Japanese stab bound notebook today, a little one though. I covered it with some faux amate paper with a drawn-on pattern of Mayan glyphs. An interesting fusion of cultures, I think. It's hardbound though, which required some work-arounds to get right...

[TMLee]

This is my first attempt on a cahier in A5 size in TOMOE RIVER paper .

 

Its a prototype , exploring what are the challenges involved.

This endeavor is the result of an order for (TR paper) cahiers to fit inside a leather cover a la Midori Travellers notebook style.

 

This one is A5 size and not the narrower size common to Midori TN.

 

From experience, TR paper has to be pierced carefully to yield good results.

 

The first decision was how closely spaced the stations ought to be.

 

I decided to try 10mm for 2 reasons ,

To reduce any slack from too far apart stations.

and

to make the cahier keep its shape and form as best as possible, due to the very thin and soft paper.

 

Made a piercing template ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1374.jpg

 

 

Then pierced from valley side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1370.jpg

 

quite a lot of stations !!!

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1371.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1372.jpg

 

 

I decided to make the head and tail ends more rigid, by adding more stations ,

here , only 5mm apart for a short stretch ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1376.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1377.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1375.jpg

 

The TR paper is not exactly A4 size , i found out ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1379.jpg

 

 

Next challenge was the number of pages ...

The requirement was for 50-100 writing pages.

 

I decided on 20 folios, yielding 80 writing pages ,

the reason was that it was getting too thick, to pierce and to fold.

The added problem was the 'fishtail' effect now becoming very pronounced ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1382.jpg

 

 

The head of the cahier...

I picked the smallest thread I had,

Linen thread (unwaxed) #25 gauge , 3-ply

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1384.jpg

 

on its way down...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1385.jpg

 

 

near completed , after reaching the tail end and coming back to the head

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1386.jpg

 

 

The inside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1395.jpg

 

 

Rounded the corners after trimming away the 'fishtail'

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1392.jpg

 

Clamping to flatten the cahier as much as possible

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/DSCF1403.jpg

 

completed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/005.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/012.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/013.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/015.jpg

 

I havent decided yet what to do with the head and tail ends.

I am wondering how such cahiers can withstand the abrasion when its emplaced inside the leather covers, held by that elastic cord running down the centre of the cahier. (I dont own a Midori TN , so I am really not sure how the cahiers inside , wear out)

 

My guess is that the thin TR paper may wear out quickly along the head and the tail.

 

Havent resolved this ...

will experiment ...

 

 

Writing paper is :

TOMOE RIVER paper , 52g, Cream

One Signature, 20 Folios ,

total 80 writing pages

 

Cover is cardstock at 250g , Burgundy

Edited June 27, 2013 by TMLee

[TMLee]

Tried doing something to the head and tail end of the cahier ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/001.jpg

 

I stitched some waxed thread onto the ends , using the first two stations...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/003.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/007-1.jpg

 

I chose burgundy coloured thread to match the covers

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/012-1.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/011-1.jpg

 

Inside ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/008-1.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2001%20Burgundy/010-1.jpg

 

It should offer some guard against abrasion ...

 

 

 

 

[Diamond Al]

Great idea - these TR Cahiers are looking very interesting!

Keep up the quality craftsmanship!

Best,

Diamond Al

[rcannonp]

What do you use to round the corners? I've tried a couple of different devices without great results.

[TMLee]

Great idea - these TR Cahiers are looking very interesting!

Keep up the quality craftsmanship!

Best,

Diamond Al

 

 

Thanks

Edited June 28, 2013 by TMLee

[TMLee]

What do you use to round the corners? I've tried a couple of different devices without great results.

 

I use a Simple corner punch rounder

mine looks this ...

 

http://a1craftsupply.blogspot.sg/2012/02/sdi-corner-rounder.html

 

I use a large size becos the cahiers are large at A5 size.

[TMLee]

This is Cahier 02 - Khaki

 

A5 size , full TR paper.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/001.jpg

 

I chose a different thread for this.

I wanted a thread thinner than the first cahier i made.

This time I used

VENUS V-fil filament polyester, I think its is #40 gauge, I am not sure.

Off-white in colour.

Its commonly used for stitching leather.

But I wont use this again - its so slippery and it untwines very easily.

Very troublesome when stitching.

But it looks the right size thread on such a cahier spine, which was what I was looking for.

Here you see the stitches neater on the spine, becos I pulled taut the threads when I reached the end of the cahier on its first pass.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/004.jpg

 

 

I continued the technique of adding some thread at the head and tail ends to give it added protection from abrasion when used in Midori TN types of leather covers.

Here , you see the white cahier stitches starting from the 2nd station downwards.

The Khaki threads that go over the spine , start from the 2nd station upwards and over the top.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/005.jpg

 

I chose the same shade of khaki to make it blend in with the covers...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/007.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/016.jpg

 

 

 

On the inside

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/010.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/011.jpg

 

The 'fishtail' was too pronounced , so I had to trim them off.

After that, punched the rounded corners.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/014.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/015.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/013.jpg

 

 

Together with the previous Burgundy Cahier 01

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/019.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/020.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2002%20Khaki/018.jpg

 

Writing paper is

TOMOE RIVER paper , 52g, Cream

20 Folios

80 writing pages

 

Covers are cardstock , 250g, Beige

Edited June 29, 2013 by TMLee

[Earthdawn]

Looks outstanding !!!!

 

 

Ok... so how did you trim the fishtail ???

[TMLee]

Looks outstanding !!!!

 

 

Ok... so how did you trim the fishtail ???

 

 

I suppose the most direct way is to just trim the entire cahier at its leading edge.

 

This will mean losing a few mm in size which I dont want.

 

I trimmed in a different way.

 

I placed the cutting mat inside the middle of the cahier...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/058.jpg

 

a closer look

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/059.jpg

 

 

I aligned the steel straightedge exactly along the cover's edge.

Making sure the cover will never be cut.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/060.jpg

 

This is the amount of fishtail on one half of the cahier

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/062.jpg

 

 

Trim off with many careful passes

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/063.jpg

 

Done

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/064.jpg

 

 

I find that I have to trim the TR paper , in both dimensions

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/069.jpg

 

 

Here, I am trimming off the other dimension of the cahier

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/070.jpg

Edited June 29, 2013 by TMLee

[TMLee]

This is Cahier 03 - Green

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/071.jpg

 

 

The white cahier stitches start from the 2nd station downwards

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/055.jpg

 

Both ends have an empty station that will receive the thread later on - the ones that go over the head and tail of the cahier...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/056.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/057.jpg

 

This is after stitching that green thread over the ends of the cahier...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/076.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/079.jpg

 

The corners rounded

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/082.jpg

Edited June 29, 2013 by TMLee

[TMLee]

The trio set ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/083.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/084.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/091.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/089.jpg

 

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/CAHIERS/Cahier%2003%20Green/085.jpg

Edited June 29, 2013 by TMLee

[Earthdawn]

Thank you...

 

You finished product looks so nice and finished lol ... But it really does.

 

Trimming the fishtail, the corners and covering the head and tail to protect the top and bottom folds.

 

Ok.. Now I have to go back and work on mine !

 

 

thank you again for your help and for taking the time to show and share your teqniques.

[jdcovington1122]

Awesome job, what did you use for the cover?

[TMLee]

Thank you...

 

You finished product looks so nice and finished lol ... But it really does.

 

Trimming the fishtail, the corners and covering the head and tail to protect the top and bottom folds.

 

Ok.. Now I have to go back and work on mine !

 

 

thank you again for your help and for taking the time to show and share your teqniques.

 

 

Thank you too

 

Yes, you can try making minor improvements on your designs as you see fit.

 

I haven't figure out how to do a pocket , for example.

 

 

 

 

Awesome job, what did you use for the cover?

 

I used paper that is in the cardstock range , ie, 250g. (paper is defined as card when it's 160g and above)

 

I didn't dared to use thicker , say 300g, as I think folding would become problematic.