Bookbinding is such a satisfying craft, and I love how tactile it feels to create something from scratch. For a basic project, you'll need some sturdy paper or cardstock for the cover—I often repurpose old cereal boxes or thick watercolor paper. The pages themselves can be regular printer paper, but if you want a nicer feel, go for something like 80-100 gsm paper. You'll also need a bone folder (or a butter knife in a pinch) to crease folds neatly, a sharp needle and strong thread for sewing signatures, and PVA glue or bookbinding glue for the spine. Don’t forget a ruler, pencil, and cutting tool like an X-Acto knife!
For embellishments, the sky’s the limit: cloth or leather for fancier covers, decorative endpapers, or even ribbon bookmarks. I once used vintage wallpaper scraps for a cover, and it turned out gorgeous. The key is experimenting—my first few attempts were messy, but now I gift handmade notebooks to friends. There’s something magical about holding a book you’ve bound yourself, flaws and all.