We at Peg and Awl, lovers of newness and change, keep going back to the past for a new, new old. Life is mysterious this way.
This collection contains faded quilts, old tools, tins, the feeling of a hot summer porch a hundred years ago, paired with military bits from local soldiers. It’s not the past itself we are longing for it is the overlap of time. And it consumes us.
Bookbinding Pouches!
This is our first filled pouch containing relics of the past – refreshed – alongside our objects, new and classic! We love incorporating old stuff with the new, both found and made. This includes a sweetie pouch made from an old, very well-worn quilt, which I imagine on hot-summer-porch sleepovers atop the family that constructed it and maybe traded some scrap with the neighbours for the variety of colour and patterns it contains.
Eleven new and vintage treasures, cozily contained.
Each pouch and its contents are their own Dusty Summer colour story.
- 4" Anselm Bookbinding Kit
- 4" Book Template
- Bartram Cherry Ruler
- Dusty Summer Scrap Bundle
- Vintage School Scissors
- Antique Awl
- Vintage Floss
- JM Paillard Gouache
- Art Graf Pencil
- MT Washi Tape
- Coccoina Glue Stick
Each pouch and its contents are their own Dusty Summer colour story.
Sendaks, Bags and Pouches
US Mint Sendak Nutshell
Spender Pouch with US Mint Bag Scraps!
Tinned Sketchbooks + Other Art Supplies
Here we are with more clean-cut watercolour sheets tucked into vintage tins for your petite paintings along with some other new arrivals.
Treasures straight from the flea market
Graphite Drawing Bundle offering inspired by inquiries from our Dream Journal Video Tutorial!
Collections Explained
If you’ve been following along with us for a while, you may have noticed that not all launches are the same – some products stay for years, some fly off the shelves, and others fall somewhere in between. Here are some explanations to distinguish between our various collection types.
Standard Collections: Everything in our standard collections will be ongoing until we decide to stop making them! They may include some vintage or antique materials, (ex. journal fabric lining) but these details will vary subtly to ensure their ongoingness.
Small Batch Collections: Limited batches incorporating vintage or antique materials where larger batches can be made, but are not infinite! The quantity ranges, but we aim for minimum of 100 in these collections.
Of a Kind Collections: Limited batches incorporating vintage or antique materials. Each object will be limited from 1–20 items depending upon our findings.
Substack + YouTube
Storefront
The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.
Monday–Friday 10–5
NEW Dusty Summer Of a Kind Collection
We at Peg and Awl, lovers of newness and change, keep going back to the past for a new, new old. Life is mysterious this way. This collection contains faded...
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“. . . Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
–Kurt VonnegutA filthy treasure this one! Not happy unless he is fully submerged in his work. Here he is torching garden boxes in 80 degree weather to finish in time for Søren’s graduation party. May we all spend our days so immersed.
A Day in NYC
In Italy.
Søren Graduated!
Ah, all of life is bittersweet. The daily loops are easy to lose a thread in, and these monumental events are the shaking I need. Søren’s graduation was intimate and particular – a tearful extravaganza! Now we are settling into the nooks and crannies of our last chaotic summer together.
Art Days with Søren
Graduation Speech – so funny, well-written, presented, so, so good.
Our visit to SCAD, there will be many more!
Claire Rosen Show ft. Goats
We had an incredible experience back in our old neighborhood of Fishtown, which led to some melancholy for both me and Walter, but maybe a push we need! Claire filled the Ice Box at InLiquid with stunning portraits of goats. Memories of baby Søren beneath my table of handmade journals welled up — that space holds a lot. The Philly Goat Project filled the room with actual goats, who wandered around the exhibit being fed from a table spread filled with their favourite garden treats!
Claire at the End of a Long Day Setting Up
At the End, the Goats FEASTED!
The Aftermath
Of a Kinds Peek – Launch Date and Time
Our next Of a Kind Collection is coming together and may the biggest and most magical yet! We will send the newsletter out at 10ish on June 20th, 2026.
Pearly in the middle
Bookbinding Pouch
Flea Market Finds, Washed an Drying
Substack + YouTube
We’ve been sharing journal-making processes since the pandemic started on our YouTube channel a bit willy-nilly. It’s been fun and we are working more diligently and slightly more strategically to share more. Our channel is creeping toward 9,000 subscribers! The last video included a peek inside my journals and elicited lots of responses, so we will share more innards.
Everywhere Astonishments
Podcast: Hidden Brain.
Book: The Art Thief continued
Movies: Backrooms, La ChimeraReminder. I always forget to remember.
Keep track of what you've done, not just what you have not done.The Art Thief has been a fun world to (re)enter. I am remembering Freakonimcs three part series on The Hidden World of Art, Season 11, Episodes 20, 21, and 22. I am also tempted to reread Donna Tartt’s epic novel, The Goldfinch.
Storefront
The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.
Monday–Friday 10–5
Happy Early Father’s Day!
“. . . Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but...
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Well, the Smallening Lasted for a Little While
We’ve been cozy at the Five Acre Wood, settling into the barn – stretching out in some places, shrinking in others.* But we are getting antsy and are finding ourselves pressing up against the walls and ceilings of the small woodshop and sniffing around for more.
Our woodshop team is growing from 1.5 ish to 2.5 ish – Walter being the perpetual ish, paws in everything at Peg and Awl. We will share bigger projects, like the garden start below, and snippets along the way.
If you’ve been here for a while you probably knew this was coming. O, how we love disrupting the comfort and rhythm of what is working well for new and unknown adventures!
Two Scouts, an Italian Adventure!
Pictured Here, Hannah Sutton
Studio life, ever-evolving
More land projects as we navigate this new path. Walter found plans here @OnBeaverCreek for $31 and is building garden boxes into the hillside betwixt house, studio, and pond – just in time (as always) for Søren’s graduation party! He is torching the white oak and oiling with Outdoor Defence oil it so it lasts longer.
Journaling and the 100 Day Project’s End
Day 100 of The 100 Day Project
Vintage Awls awaiting baths and point tending
Nutshell Artist Roll!
I take notes in dark movie theatres when movies inspire the scribbling. Backrooms def had me page filling!
Of a Kinds and a Studio Loan to Goats
Our next Of a Kind Collection is in the works and planned for late June, 2026. This will be a big one filled with Sendaks and Bags, art supplies, kits, and vintage treasures!
The flea markets have been full of magic and I’ve a studio full of goodies to sort and clean and sharpen. I am also lending some of the treasures to Claire Rosen and some city Goats for a night so they can fill some goaty canvases! More here.
Totes with Hardware Store Half Apron front pockets
Quilt Block Lasagna
Vintage Bank Bags
An Oldie Paint Box filled with plunder and poison!
*Our Smallened Finch
Such a warm reception to our newest little last week!
And who doesn't love a warm reception?
Substack + YouTube
We’ve been sharing journal-making processes since the pandemic started on our YouTube channel a bit willy-nilly. It’s been fun and we are working more diligently and slightly more strategically to share more. Our channel is creeping toward 9,000 subscribers! The last video included a peek inside my journals and elicited lots of responses, so we will share more innards.
Everywhere Astonishments
Podcast: The Nature Of Podcast with Giuliani Furci
Book: The Art Thief
Movies: Backrooms, La ChimeraIt is hard to live in this world – especially the natural world – without a daily dose of awe. Even the days that feel awe-less, upon reflection, can uncover something. It helps to have an awe-asking friend, too.
This morning, as I sat with my journal and my coffee, Pearl began her wild and incessant barking – and lo – a dinosaur. I grabbed Pearl and the Snapper headed straight for the pond. Yesterday a Northern Water Snake slithered in, today a massive Snapper. If we invite you to swim in our pond, be forewarned.
But, oooh, I would love to make little creature signs to post around the edges. The projects are endless.
“MAMA! I’VE FOUND A MYSTERIOUS CRITTER!!!”
Storefront
The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.
Monday–Friday 10–5
New Momentum — Expanding Again...
Well, the Smallening Lasted for a Little While We’ve been cozy at the Five Acre Wood, settling into the barn – stretching out in some places, shrinking in others.* But...
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Product Care and Tutorials
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One of the key steps to speed up the breaking in process of leather is to simply twist and roll the leather in your fingers. As you use your bag the leather will naturally soften and become much easier to maneuver. Whether you help it out, or simply use your bag, the breaking in process does not take long!!
*What is Vegetable Tanned Leather? Vegetable tanning is a slow, natural, and sustainable process of tanning raw hides with natural, biodegradable extracts derived entirely from vegetable sources such as tree bark.
Our bags are made with full-grain vegetable-tanned leather*, which is a durable leather that develops a lovely patina over time with continued use. It is thicker than conventional, chrome-tanned leather, which also lends it to be more stiff in the beginning. This video shows how to quickly soften the leather, as well as the proper steps for detaching and attaching the leather shoulder strap and front closure on our Peg and Awl bags.
One of the key steps to speed up the breaking in process of leather is to simply twist and roll the leather in your fingers. As you use your bag the leather will naturally soften and become much easier to maneuver. Whether you help it out, or simply use your bag, the breaking in process does not take long!!
*What is Vegetable Tanned Leather? Vegetable tanning is a slow, natural, and sustainable process of tanning raw hides with natural, biodegradable extracts derived entirely from vegetable sources such as tree bark.
Step 1: Detaching the Strap
*The leather is the most stiff when it is new. As you use it and work with it, it will soften.- Hold the button stud and pull the leather strap to bring the button stud into the leather slot.
- Firmly and slowly work the leather over the button stud. Take your time working with the leather as it softens.
Step 2: Attaching the Shoulder Strap-
Twist and roll the strap to soften the leather. It does not take long to break in.
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Press the leather slot over the button stud. Hold the stud and pull the leather strap to bring the stud into the hole.
Our Leather!
Our first bag – The Waxed Canvas Tote – which we finished with reclaimed military leather slings found at a flea market. Dusty and dull with years of neglect, the leather was unassuming. But with some hot soapy water, perseverance, and beeswax balm, we removed the layers to find stories told through the markings of days past. We were delighted! The usefulness of the leather sent us on a mission to scour flea markets and military shows for as many old slings as we could find. For years we used these relics to finish our bags – until there were no more to be found.
And so, a new mission was soon underway: the search for the right new leather. We began in the UK driving along long and winding roads through the English countryside to visit J&FJ Baker, a 500-year-old tannery. This experience and many subsequent conversations enriched our understanding of a leather world we had known nothing about.
While shipping leather from the UK turned out to be impractical, we left enlightened with the knowledge that there do exist a few companies who produce leather in a sustainable and responsible way. When we returned to America we found Wickett & Craig – only a stone’s throw from our shop in Philadelphia. Their vegetable tanning process is a slow, natural, and eco-friendly process of tanning raw hides with natural, biodegradable extracts derived entirely from vegetable sources such as tree bark. This durable leather breaks in and gathers a gorgeous patina, bearing the marks of the users’ (and makers’) adventures – the very thing we’ve always celebrated! We’ve been using this leather for three years now and love it!
With the transition from using reclaimed WWII era gun straps for our leather handles to using locally-sourced vegetable-tanned leather, we are reaffirming the fellowship between ourselves and the materials with which we make. By creating beautiful and useful objects out of sustainable and responsibly sourced materials, we strive to change the way that we as individuals make, use, repair and reuse everyday objects. As our new bags leave our Philadelphia workshop and arrive at your doorsteps, what adventures will they see in your hands and how will they transform to become truly yours?
Vegetable tanned leather is made with a slow, natural, and sustainable process of tanning raw hides with natural, biodegradable extracts derived entirely from vegetable sources such as tree bark. The more you use your bags and journals, the softer the leather will become. 
This durable leather breaks in and gathers a gorgeous patina, bearing the marks of the users’ (and makers’) adventures! Here, you can see the leather on Walter's Tote and Scout. As you use your bag the leather will naturally soften and become much easier to maneuver. 
We took out Hunter's out on an Amethyst dig! they got pretty dirty, so we turned the bags inside out, tapped out the dirt and wiped the inside with a sponge and put them in the sun to dry. Our Finch is my favourite bag - I carry mine nearly everyday. It holds my books, journal, water bottle, and other bits comfortably. Adjusting the Leather Straps on our Waxed Canvas Bags
One of the key steps to speed up the breaking in process of leather is to simply twist and roll the leather in your fingers. As you use your bag...
Read The Post
One of the key steps to speed up the breaking in process of leather is to simply twist and roll the leather in your fingers. As you use your bag the leather will naturally soften and become much easier to maneuver. Whether you help it out, or simply use your bag, the breaking in process does not take long!!
*What is Vegetable Tanned Leather? Vegetable tanning is a slow, natural, and sustainable process of tanning raw hides with natural, biodegradable extracts derived entirely from vegetable sources such as tree bark.
Our bags are made with full-grain vegetable-tanned leather*, which is a durable leather that develops a lovely patina over time with continued use. It is thicker than conventional, chrome-tanned leather, which also lends it to be more stiff in the beginning. This video shows how to quickly soften the leather, as well as the proper steps for detaching and attaching the leather shoulder strap and front closure on our Peg and Awl bags.
One of the key steps to speed up the breaking in process of leather is to simply twist and roll the leather in your fingers. As you use your bag the leather will naturally soften and become much easier to maneuver. Whether you help it out, or simply use your bag, the breaking in process does not take long!!
*What is Vegetable Tanned Leather? Vegetable tanning is a slow, natural, and sustainable process of tanning raw hides with natural, biodegradable extracts derived entirely from vegetable sources such as tree bark.
*The leather is the most stiff when it is new. As you use it and work with it, it will soften.
- Hold the button stud and pull the leather strap to bring the button stud into the leather slot.
- Firmly and slowly work the leather over the button stud. Take your time working with the leather as it softens.
Step 2: Attaching the Shoulder Strap
-
Twist and roll the strap to soften the leather. It does not take long to break in.
-
Press the leather slot over the button stud. Hold the stud and pull the leather strap to bring the stud into the hole.
Our Leather!
Our first bag – The Waxed Canvas Tote – which we finished with reclaimed military leather slings found at a flea market. Dusty and dull with years of neglect, the leather was unassuming. But with some hot soapy water, perseverance, and beeswax balm, we removed the layers to find stories told through the markings of days past. We were delighted! The usefulness of the leather sent us on a mission to scour flea markets and military shows for as many old slings as we could find. For years we used these relics to finish our bags – until there were no more to be found.
And so, a new mission was soon underway: the search for the right new leather. We began in the UK driving along long and winding roads through the English countryside to visit J&FJ Baker, a 500-year-old tannery. This experience and many subsequent conversations enriched our understanding of a leather world we had known nothing about.
While shipping leather from the UK turned out to be impractical, we left enlightened with the knowledge that there do exist a few companies who produce leather in a sustainable and responsible way. When we returned to America we found Wickett & Craig – only a stone’s throw from our shop in Philadelphia. Their vegetable tanning process is a slow, natural, and eco-friendly process of tanning raw hides with natural, biodegradable extracts derived entirely from vegetable sources such as tree bark. This durable leather breaks in and gathers a gorgeous patina, bearing the marks of the users’ (and makers’) adventures – the very thing we’ve always celebrated! We’ve been using this leather for three years now and love it!
With the transition from using reclaimed WWII era gun straps for our leather handles to using locally-sourced vegetable-tanned leather, we are reaffirming the fellowship between ourselves and the materials with which we make. By creating beautiful and useful objects out of sustainable and responsibly sourced materials, we strive to change the way that we as individuals make, use, repair and reuse everyday objects. As our new bags leave our Philadelphia workshop and arrive at your doorsteps, what adventures will they see in your hands and how will they transform to become truly yours?
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Adjusting the Leather Straps on our Waxed Canvas Bags
One of the key steps to speed up the breaking in process of leather is to simply twist and roll the leather in your fingers. As you use your bag...
Read The Post-
I love the Finch Satchel. The familiarity of its shape against my body, holding what I need for the day. It is a good size, but I will always jam it – things rising out over the edge, the weight of it. Over the years we’ve been Smallening everything. We have a Mini Tote, a Small Hunter, two smaller Sendaks — and now, alas, a Small Finch. The comfort of the Finch, with the nudge to carry less.
Coal, Spice, Moss, Truffle, Slate, All Black
Classic Finch and New Small Finch!
Impromptu Bookbinding Workshop + One in the Works!
I was so lucky to have spent a day with these five – Andrea Bruce, Claire Rosen, Maggie Steber, Adriana Zehbrauskas, Kirsten Luce – just scratching the surface of stories. Claire, who has known them for years and taught photography alongside them around the world, brought them to the Five Acre Wood for a bookbinding and paint making workshop.
Photographs by Claire Rosen
Sitting on the floor around our Kino Coffee Table to work!
Sewing Details
Making Little Things
I’ve been making little things for little things.
Another Small Brush
We love Customer Photographs
Thank you always for your generous feedback! We love reading, seeing, and sharing it. (And my parents love reading it too — the sweetest!)
Photographs by Suzanne N.
Family Stuff
My view through the screen during our meetings. Still zooming.
Ashley and Eden
Gilbert and his Desk Caddy
Sub 5 Mile!
Eden Fishing
Substack + YouTube
Everywhere Astonishments
Music: New Mick Flannery and Aldous Harding. Re-obsessing with an old favourite likely responsible for some the ringing in my ears from so many right-in-front-of-the-speaker nights: PJ Harvey. Prayer at the Gate, is perfect during my wild wavy weather wanderings!
Podcast: The Nature Of Podcast with Suzanne Simard
I was walking in the woods last night with Pearl, slurping honeysuckle and enjoying the cool night when Walter sent a song suggestion: Spitting of the Edge of the Earth by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs with Perfume Genius! It struck all the right chords and I danced with Pearl on the path as the sun set. A reminder to share things we love!
Storefront
The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.
Monday–Friday 10–5
The Littling: New Small Finch
I love the Finch Satchel. The familiarity of its shape against my body, holding what I need for the day. It is a good size, but I will always jam...
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This week has been hot, hot – now it’s cold! I found refuge in ungardening our pond, in pulling up the algae with hands and feet and swirling it around like cotton candy around four limbs.
We also hosted our open Studio Tour!
When we open our studio doors for the weekend, who walks through is a mystery. I am always excited by those who come with stories or obsessions to share. And I loved seeing people write with dip pens with such enthusiasm!
Phew. We’ve taken all morning and into the afternoon finishing this one.
Berries a-coming
Labeling plants
Harnessed Tiger Moth, a gift from Walter (from the porch)
A look into the algae from the outside!
New Bookbinding Tutorial on YouTube!
As I’m discovering, you’re discovering.
In this video I bring you into my mess with me: figuring out the spine of my book, testing materials, and rambling as things come to mind. I’m inspired by nature and trash, and I don’t always know where I’m headed. I use an antique book from my grandma’s house, leather from the trash, vintage textiles, and inspiration from the land to make my journal.
The question that initiated this video came from Natalie, who works with us – she saw my journals in the studio and asked: “How do you make these spines?”
So here’s my answer!
At the end of the video, I flip through the journal once it is finished. This is three journals ago already!
Unexpected Jewelry Section
The Bluebird Mama visits me everyday. A gentle landing. A tap tapping. Her nesting box is just below my studio and she flies from the box and to my window and back, and I wonder if she has a message or is just curious like I am.
So, distracted whilst working on this newsletter, I wanted to look back and find when I held her. I typed “bird hand” into search and found so many held birds and saw so much of our jewelry which we don’t often share.
Then I typed “bird” and found 2,881 photographs of birds at home and in our backyards, and our hands and all over from our travels. There are so many ways to filter a life and see from a new perspective. Here is a little peek into that bird-filtered world!
Secondhand!
You know we love secondhand things and we know you do too!
Peg and Awl is in its 17th year and we are fortunate enough to hear from people who have bought our things second hand from eBay, (there is a nearly new Elderberry Mini Tote available now and more!) Poshmark, (mysterious pricing – a $5000 Rogue?! Hmmm) and even antique shops.
We often get requests for discontinued bags like the Rogue, and for colours we don’t always have like elderberry. Some people are happy to buy secondhand for the cost, others for life choices. Whatever brings you here – yay!
We have tips for cleaning and rewaxing on YouTube. It is fairly easy and really satisfying. I have a bag waiting for a wash and rewax that I will film and share soon:)
Gatherer Bag with antique leather. This is a bag we discontinued long ago available on Ebay!
Little Rogue found on Poshmark by Melanie who was searching for a while!
“I just found you guys. Love this. Have purchased a pen case on eBay. I always start small and worn in.” –Jerry
“I recently purchased the hunter satchel, and it has taken a road trip around Ireland. I have to tell you that it was and has been the most comfortable bag that I have ever taken on our international road trips with my husband. The long and thick leather strap was so comfortable that I forgot that I had it on. This bag got caught in the rain and the cold wind in Ireland and when we returned to the AirBNB, I would lay it out to dry. The contents of the bag did not get wet, and it dried well and quickly. For me, it is such a good bag, and I had plenty of room for additional gifts, water and gloves. Also, I want to tell you this bag was not purchased on your website but at an antique store, so it had its own journey already and was able to make another one with me. Great bag and love the thick and durable canvas, just wonderful!!!!!” –Sandra
Substack
Everywhere Astonishments
Maria Popova on David Perell – This was such a wonderful interview. I love Maria's perspective and how she constructs sentences is an absolute pleasure to listen to and learn from. Haha.
It inspired me to find more interviews with her – including relistening to an old one on Cultivating Place. And I started Figuring which has been in my stacks since it came out. I love Jennifer’s reminder to plant a seed. I planted an invisible seed — a wish really, aloud to friends — to be on the same podcast and not long after Jennifer reached out to us! This was one of my favourite conversations to be part of:)
I discovered The Nature Of through this obsession as well, which I look forward to digging further into!
Can’t wait for Robin Wall Kimmerer and Suzanne Simard in Conversation in Philadelphia May 30th. Tickets are still available!
Storefront
The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.
Monday–Friday 10–5
The Studio Tour at the Five Acre Wood
This week has been hot, hot – now it’s cold! I found refuge in ungardening our pond, in pulling up the algae with hands and feet and swirling it around...
Read The Post
Press
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Press: Cultivating Place Podcast
Cultivating Place: Natural History & Our Gardens The Adventurous Art of Cultivating Place, with Peg & Awl
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Press: Leslie Stroz
Scout Plein Air Box Review The Sendak Artist Roll Review More Leslie Stroz Videos Featuring Peg and Awl! Rating ALL of My Travel Watercolor PALETTES (the BEST and WORST) BEST...
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Press: Cultivating Place Podcast
Cultivating Place: Natural History & Our Gardens The Adventurous Art of Cultivating Place, with Peg & Awl
Read The Post
Press: Leslie Stroz
Scout Plein Air Box Review The Sendak Artist Roll Review More Leslie Stroz Videos Featuring Peg and Awl! Rating ALL of My Travel Watercolor PALETTES (the BEST and WORST) BEST...
Read The Post-
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The Sendak Artist Roll: A Walkthrough Video
We’ve watched all of the YouTube reviews of our Sendak Artist Roll (thank you!) and have made our own video to answer some questions and share our experience! We are...
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Bookbinding Tutorials
We have put together a long overdue tutorial on bookmaking. I have prepared a list of things you will need to make your first notebook. This is a very simple start—you can use materials that you have at home and anyone, any age can join in!
So, let’s make books!
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Explore Our Tutorial Series to Bind Your Own Journal. You can use materials that you have at home, and anyone of any age can join in!
Photo by @holddear
Share your Peg and Awl with #quarantinebookbindingclub to be featured!
Bookbinding Tutorials
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So here we are again – still at home and pleased to share our next installment of our Bookbinding at Home series! We hope you have found some small things to enjoy in this time of truly slooooowing down. For me it is always the small things that brighten my days, like watching Toots and Yedda – our goose landmates – and transforming a pile of field stone into an elegant yet makeshift garden path!
As for the tutorials, we are learning a lot (we hope you are too) and are so grateful for everyone who is joining us!
Bookbinding at Home: Part 2
So here we are again – still at home and pleased to share our next installment of our Bookbinding at Home series! We hope you have found some small things to enjoy in this time of truly slooooowing down. For me it is always the small things that brighten my days, like watching Toots and Yedda – our goose landmates – and transforming a pile of field stone into an elegant yet makeshift garden path!
As for the tutorials, we are learning a lot (we hope you are too) and are so grateful for everyone who is joining us!
Project No. 2: Stitching Signatures for a Coverless Sketchbook
Here is what you will need:
1. Needle – bookbinding needles have roundy tips and big eyes, but most needles will work!
2. Thread – any thread will do. If it is super thin, double it up.
3. Pencil – grab your favourite pencil to plot your stitching holes.
4. Paper – this is for the inside. Do you like lined paper, sketch paper, the back of used paper, graph paper? Gather your favourites, mix ’em up or stick to one!
5. Thumbtack – or something sharp to poke holes through paper and cardstock.
6. Scissors – for snipping your thread.
7. Fabric – this will serve as your linens that will hold the book together. Happy treasure hunting!
8. Glue – to glue your fabric to the front and back covers of your book. Elmers works!
We get most of our bookbinding tools and materials from Talas, including needles, thread, linen tape and other materials we haven’t explained yet. The waxed thread that I am using is a 3 ply waxed Irish Linen thread.
We love Strathmore drawing paper for our journals and find that and other supplies through Artist & Craftsman. Both the latter and Talas are small companies who have shut down their physical locations but are currently taking online orders and shipping!
As for covers, vintage textiles, needle boxes and vintage tools – you can find all kinds of unexpected magic at home as well as on Etsy and eBay. We at Peg and Awl absolutely encourage creativity in materials and tools, and finding vintage stuff is a nice way to reclaim some of the excess of items that already exist on our planet. This is also a way to make your project and your desk specifically yours!
Bookbinding Glossary
Sheet: The unfolded paper pages that you start your project with
Folio: A folded sheet
Signature: Gathering of folios
Leaf: One half of a folded sheet
Page: Each side of each leafPlease share your little books with us with hashtag #quarantinebookbindingclub – we’d love to see what you are making, and share the results!
The Next Step…
Continue on with our next bookbinding project: covering a coverless book! We will only be covering a book, so bring your coverless book from this project to the next installment.
And While You’re at Home…
If you are housebound or feeling antsy, there are oodles of projects online and on Instagram. I’ve found inspiration from The Good Ship Illustration’s drawing guide The Sketchbooker’s Friend. The first tip is pretty great:
NO PHONES. Don’t take a photo, then draw from it. Don’t finish your drawing at your desk later. It is NOT ALLOWED and we are very strict!
Bookbinding at Home, Part 2: How to Stitch a Coverless Journal!
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Here is the last video in our first bookbinding tutorial series: Bookbinding at Home. Thank you all for following along and sharing your books. We are so psyched to see all of the books that have come out of these tutorials!
Here is the last video in our first bookbinding tutorial series: Bookbinding at Home. Thank you all for following along and sharing your books. We are so psyched to see all of the books that have come out of these tutorials! We hope you find comfort in the process of binding your books as well as filling them. There is certainly a lot to document right now— in both pictures and words.
We love seeing your books and sharing in our Instagram stories and posts (@pegandawl) – be sure to use #quarantinebookbindingclub and/or #pegandawlbinds on your social media posts so we can find you!Project No. 3: Covering a Journal with Leather
Here is what you will need:
Leather – If you have scrap, an old jacket or wallet, anything soft and malleable, have it ready! Scraps of many colors are also available from many sellers on Etsy.
Fabric – This will replace mull (a starched cheesecloth) that will be glued directly to your book block to strengthen your book.
Thread – For the headband. Aim for something thick that will take up space. You can also use a pre-made headband.
Scissors – For trimming your cover. If you are using leather for your cover, make sure they are sharp!
Hammer – For shaping your book block. Be sure it is clean as it will be coming in contact with your paper! (I used a rock hammer and my pages don't hide it!)
Glue – For gluing your leather to the front and back covers of your book. Elmers works!
Heavy Book – This will be your book press! Any heavy book will do, though I find art books (and their dense pages) perfect for the job!Bookbinding at Home Part 3: Covering a Journal with Leather
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We’ve made another video installment to our Bookbinding Tutorials – this one is in response to all of the detailed questions you’ve been asking about our materials. I’ve also shared a little of my bookbinding history—where you can see my old falling apart journals as well as some insides and a variety of antique leather outsides!
We’ve made another video installment to our Bookbinding Tutorials – this one is in response to all of the detailed questions you’ve been asking about our materials. I’ve also shared a little of my bookbinding history—where you can see my old falling apart journals as well as some insides and a variety of antique leather outsides!
Chapters:
0:00 List of Materials
0:32 How Margaux Got Started Bookbinding
1:37 Margaux’s Early Journals
2:59 Overview of Materials
3:31 Thread
4:07 Needle
4:38 Tape
5:14 Headband
5:38 Mull
5:49 Glue
6:03 Cover
8:32 Paper
9:07 ConclusionBookbinding at Home Part 4: Materials and Meanderings
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“We find ourselves only by looking out at what looks back.”
–David WhyteThe Nutshell – this oft' asked for little wonder – is in stock and in our permanent collection! Thank you for all of your eagerness. We’ve never in all of Peg and Awl had so many requests for one thing!
What else should we smallen?!
Available in the full colour array!
Nutshell and Classic
The smallest in our collection – here next to the Sendak Mini and Classic.
Snowed In(ish)
It is cold and icy. The paths with their sharp shoveled edges knock me around when I wobble, which I am doing because I am weary in the stillness. It is beautiful, the light is luminous. En route to yoga I saw a pile of breath-taking (alway) firey black vultures consuming a frozen deer. Beauty and darkness side by side. What is one without the other?
Søren got his official acceptance into SCAD, but we still have some months left and are filling them with art days when we can.
Pancake (Ari’s Pup) wintering
Stomp Stomp!
Substack and YouTube
Everywhere, Astonishments!
Love these new-to-me stamps!
The Nutshell is Back!
“We find ourselves only by looking out at what looks back.” –David Whyte The Nutshell – this oft' asked for little wonder – is in stock and in our permanent...
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