Charlotte Rivers

The title caught my eye, buying cheap, cute things from IKEA, and then making them your own seemed fun. The directions seem lacking for more difficult projects and ridiculously long for ones that need only a picture. I also don't know why I would purchase a $400 item and then "repurpose" it. Unless I bought it at a garage sale for like $40. Then it wouldn't even have to be an IKEA item. I would like to see the authors demonstrate the cover project...covering a lampshade. They gave that one a show more BASIC difficulty rating, done in an hour. I would also recommend a before/after picture.

Good idea, just not likely to try any of the projects. show less

Interesting, but fairly lightweight in coverage: more of a coffee-table book than any sort of in-depth analysis. Some of the examples are pretty obvious (alphabets made out of piles of sweets or unwound paperclips, etc.) others show a bit more originality (CMYK halftone patterns simulated in cross-stitch, letters made from photographs of the bits of sky visible between buildings).

The first four chapters of the book are examples of different bindings and packaging from professionals around the world. It was interesting to look at the books and bindings other people have made, and good for inspiration I suppose.

The fifth and final chapter offers actual instructions on how to do certain bindings, covers, and papers.

Overall, good for what it was trying to do, but I would have expected more space given to technique and instruction than to the fresh ideas of other people.

This is more for advanced bookbinders, featuring lots of creative examples from skilled artisans. I was hoping to find some quick and easy things to turn into kid/teen projects but oh well.