Etsy's Handmade Blog
How-Tuesday: Make a Do-Si-Do Book
Story by julieincharge
Published on May 26, 2009 in How-To 		Photo by

julieincharge

A do-si-do book, like the square dancing move with your partner, swings between two signatures. These books are like two books in one and are excellent for dual purposes, like drawings and notes, or double themes like opposites or pairs. A do-si-do book makes a meaningful, handmade gift for a recent grad: one side for dreaming and one side for getting a job and paying the bills! Read on for YourSecretAdmiral / julieincharge's tutorial and you’ll be whipping up your own fine books in no time.





Tools

Paper
Scissors
Linen thread
Needle
Bone folder
Awl
Pencil






Step 1: Prepare two signatures and the covers. To make each signature, fold 5-10 sheets of paper in half and trim to size. Choose a sturdy paper or lightweight board to use as the cover. Cut the cover to be the same size as the height of the signatures and as wide as three times the width of one signature. Fold the cover into thirds using a bone folder, so it forms a Z shape.


Step 2: Make a sample signature that is the same height and width as your signatures out of a single sheet of paper. Measure and mark the placement for 3 holes on the sample signature. You’ll use this as a guide for making holes in your signatures and covers. Put one signature into one of the folds of the Z shaped cover. Using a bookbinder’s awl and your sample signature as a guide, punch 3 holes through each signature and cover.


Step 3: Pull the threaded needle through the center of the first signature, leaving a tail of thread a couple inches long inside the signature.


Step 4: Push the needle through the top hole on the spine of your book.


Step 5: Pull the needle through the bottom hole on the inside of your book, skipping over the center hole and thread tail.


Step 6: Pull the needle through the center hole on the outside of the book.


Step 7: When you pull the needle into the center of the book again, make sure that the needle and thread is on one side of the long center stitch and the thread tail is on the other. Remove the needle and trim the threads. Pull each thread taut to even out the tension of the stitching.


Step 8: Tie a simple knot over the long center stitch.

Steps 9-16: Repeat steps 1-8 on the second signature.

Ta-da! Do a little dance and away you go! Fill your book with notes, drawings, and secrets.


More crafty project downloads can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog! And did you know that you can buy Supplies on Etsy?

More Books and Zines Posts | Graduation Gifts for Her | Graduation Gifts for Him

Tags bookbinding, bookmaking, Books and Zines, diary, DIY, do-si-do, graduation, How-To, HOW-TO, how-tuesday, journal, Julie Schneider, notebook, paper craft, projects, students, tutorials, yoursecretadmiral
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123 comments     Login to add your own!

May 26, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. lydialayne

Great tutorial! Something else for me to try!

May 26, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. Morado

how wonderful! thanks for sharing. Love Tuesday How Tos

May 26, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. EJPcreations

How cool!!! Thanks!

May 26, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. adoreneko

Awesome tutorial! Perfect gift for new grads and as wedding favors.

May 26, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. cottonbirddesigns

Great article!

May 26, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. dragonhouseofyuen

thanks for this project! just what I was looking for (yes, really!)

May 26, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. allthingswhite

this looks like so much fun, thanks!

May 26, 2009 at 5:15 p.m. girltuesdayjewelry

This is such a fun idea and a really well photographed tutorial!
Add another thing I want to make to my super-long list!

May 26, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. scottshandmadecrafts

Neat-
I can never have enough journals!

May 26, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. maiziedesigns

Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial. I always look forward to the projects Etsy has lined up!

May 26, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. TheCottageCheese

What a fun project!

May 26, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. SpiffyDoodleDandy

Cool! I love unconventional books and journals!

May 26, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. moonovermaize

I love this idea! Thanks for the tutorial :)

May 26, 2009 at 5:26 p.m. cinnamonspice

Thanks...can't wait to try this for dd who is always running out of doodling notebooks!

May 26, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. michon

love this project! so cute, and I always carry a small notepad in my purse so it would be fun to make my own.

May 26, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. princesstomato22

love this! and the name is too clever!

May 26, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. LaLah

LOVE. love . Love...Will make adorable gifts!!!

May 26, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. ElegantSnobbery

LOVE that!! How cute! I am definitely going to try it :)

May 26, 2009 at 5:41 p.m. gallery32

Those are great! I think I might have to make some :)

May 26, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. uncharted

great project - thanks!

May 26, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. odiliafu

Love the tutorial! I can recycle my old notebooks.

May 26, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. OffTheHooks

wow! neat!

May 26, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. zombuki

So cute! :D

May 26, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. SleepDreamPlay

This is great. I will need to read when I am more awake, but I have always wanted to learn this.

May 26, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. jennifermorrisbeads

such a great article..know what i'm doing tonight..
xo

May 26, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. RiverBird

Very cute I am def gonna make this one!

May 26, 2009 at 5:56 p.m. daniellexo

Love this tutorial! I'm gonna do-si-do very soon.

May 26, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. workingforpeanuts

Thanks! This is a sweet surprise. Something new to try!

May 26, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. UniqueRM

Thanks for this! A great idea for an upcoming birthday for a guy who has everything and wants nothing! I think I'm also going to use this idea combined with quilted post cards to make the covers truly unique!

May 26, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. itsybitsycute

Love it. Simple and crafty - and a thoughtful gift! I have all of those tools laying around except the awl too. This would be great to make notebooks out of recycled papers.

May 26, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. amyrwyatt

oooh, just in time. My art exam is next week and I have four sketchbook pages left and not enough to fit a whole new one. yay!

May 26, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. luxandlove

i Love it! so simple, why didn't i think of this???

May 26, 2009 at 6:39 p.m. sabrosavintage

cool cool cool

i may practice this summer, and teach my students to make them in the fall.

May 26, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. mia4art

Actually made one in college in a book arts course! Comes in handy

May 26, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. sleepyking

I love this!

May 26, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. theaxx

Oh oo, eek! This is FANTABULOUSLY inspiring! I'm going to make one! Thanks so much for the great tutorial JulieIncharge. GLAD you're in charge :)

thea.
xx

www.forthevisionaries.tumblr.com

May 26, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. baconsquarefarm

Cute thanks julie for sharing.

May 26, 2009 at 8:03 p.m. MsAP143

Anyone who enjoys doing crafts should check out this website:

Just visit: TheOriginalScrapbox.com

They have some excellent storage solutions and organizations products. I strongly reccomend visiting their website!

You won't be disappointed! :)

May 26, 2009 at 8:14 p.m. MyLittleBirdie

These are so cute and so easy to make... I have similar one on my etsy!

May 26, 2009 at 8:15 p.m. LittleCritters00

cool! cool! cool!

May 26, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. asundrynotion

What fun!

May 26, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. KTPaperCrafts

Love it! Thanks for the idea!

May 26, 2009 at 8:32 p.m. findingfabulous

Great idea!

May 26, 2009 at 8:51 p.m. PipocaHandmade

Too cute! Thanks for another great project!

May 26, 2009 at 9:22 p.m. DeBonisOrquera

Thanks for the great tutorial!

May 26, 2009 at 9:26 p.m. Jujie

Thank you, thank you! I'll be making one of my own soon :)

May 26, 2009 at 10:03 p.m. marysgranddaughter

What a fun project! Many thanks!

May 26, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. bylynnkrestel

love it!!
thanks so much for sharing!!!

May 26, 2009 at 10:16 p.m. sean11

Very cool.

May 26, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. gretchenmist

very inspiring~ can't wait to make one! thanks for the tute :)

May 26, 2009 at 10:18 p.m. injeanuity

Awesome! A very unique creation.

May 26, 2009 at 10:18 p.m. Kiie

Thanks for sharing :)
I would like to try my own handbound book too.

May 26, 2009 at 11 p.m. monkeyandsquirrel

i love handmade books!!!

May 26, 2009 at 11:11 p.m. IceCreamCandy

this is so cool!! i'm going to try it!!

May 26, 2009 at 11:14 p.m. tinyspace

i made this b4 too!!
love handmade stuff:)

May 27, 2009 at 12:03 a.m. haannh

cool!

May 27, 2009 at 1:30 a.m. vantiani

Oh love this!
Definitely love to try it!
Thank you so much for sharing this.

May 27, 2009 at 1:37 a.m. vivilian

wow..
I
Always
want
to
learn
this
thank
you
for
sharing

May 27, 2009 at 2:12 a.m. RetroLane

cute DIY project.

May 27, 2009 at 5:45 a.m. dizzydezign

Great! I'm definately going to try it myself!

May 27, 2009 at 6:34 a.m. BayMoonDesign

Thanks for taking the time to put together this great tutorial. I love making things and this is a project to put on my wish list.

May 27, 2009 at 6:51 a.m. MirthQuakeClothing

What is it about seeing how things are made what is so wonderful?
Lovely post!

May 27, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. HeyChica

Thanks for the tutorial!

May 27, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. samewish

thx for tutorial! I want try making book!!

May 27, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. klacustomcreations

cool project, always love something new to create!

May 27, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. juicychristians

I love making books!

May 27, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. GumballGrenade

Great tutorial! Can't wait to make one!

May 27, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. younghairlove

YES, SO NEXT TIME WE OPEN A BOOK OR TEAR THE PAGES FOR A SCRIBOUYI, WE'LL THINK TWICE!! MUCH HARDER THAN I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT. i ACTUALLY ALREADY MADE A BOOK IN ONE OF MY DREAM. IT WAS EXHAUSTING!

May 27, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. moonstr

thanks for sharing:)
great article!

May 27, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. katiusca

very cool!

May 27, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. decors

Thank you for this instruction! I've made my first handbound book awhile ago too, it's fun! And hey the pictures in this instruction are nice too!

May 27, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. littlepinkpebble

haha i'll definitely do it wow~!! Thanks

May 27, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. littlepinkpebble

moleskines are gonna be out of business after this :D

May 27, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. evihan

sooo helpful...

May 27, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. babook

Thanks for sharing this nice make things ...

May 27, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. AtticDepot

Thank you for sharing this journal with us.
I use acid free paper so we could crop and past our photos in this journal book.
Such a cool book and easy to make! Love. love it!

May 27, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. lovelygifts

Great idea!

May 27, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. MsAP143

Wow... Thanks so much for sharing!
The project is great! :)

I thought, since like crafts... you might enjoy this website, in order to store all your craft supplies and keep your stuff organized.

It's: http://www.theoriginalscrapbox.com

You should check it out!
They have amazing stuff! :)

May 27, 2009 at 5:59 p.m. PomLove

My daughter just saw this and wants to make a bunch, so, I guess we need to plan a craft day....

May 27, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. ACreativeNeed

Fabulous tutorial! Thanks!

May 27, 2009 at 11:16 p.m. buffalonerdproject

How fun!

May 27, 2009 at 11:52 p.m. mbb616

Delicious! Thanks so very, very much!

May 28, 2009 at 4:59 a.m. SundraSandrusi

I love this idea! !!!!!!!!!!

May 28, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. SatinDolly

Fantastic! Woot for Yarn2Spin!!!!!!!

May 28, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. yarn2spin

What a great idea! One of my daughter's burns through journals. I'll have to make one for her. She'd love it!
Thanks for including my Cottolin Yarn in the related items. I have a ton of fun colors to choose from.

May 28, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. blueberryfields

this is a really great and fun project. and the tutorial is perfect. thanks for sharing :)

May 28, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. DalenaVintage

i love it! i was going to make my dad a wine journal for father's day so this is the perfect tutorial!!!

May 28, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. vilte

very good tutorial

May 28, 2009 at 8:18 p.m. artwithallie

Journals are one of my all-time faves!
I have the spiral bound type available and I'm so grateful for your sharing - thanks!

May 28, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. kimbuktu

Very cool!

May 29, 2009 at 3:50 p.m. enui

nice tutorial, very clear.

However, they're actually called "dos-a-dos", from French, meaning "back to back".

May 29, 2009 at 6 p.m. aCrystalrose

I LOVE this idea - THANKS for the very clear "seems easy" tutorial!!

I shall make one, and use it as my dual business appointment book.

Thank you for the great ideas!

May 29, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. slim18

I love this idea. I love to be creative and try different ideas.

June 1, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. likeOMFGitsJONNY

This is great! I can't wait to try it out.

June 5, 2009 at 6:14 p.m. themefragrance

I love all these tutorials!
Keep books and journals alive!

June 6, 2009 at 6:54 p.m. LittleLadyCompany

LOOOOOOOVE IT!!!! totally making it.

June 10, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. MyJunkyTrunk

What a fantastic tutorial! These "how to" articles are really helpful. Thanks for sharing!

June 18, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. ladaworks

I used to make these. So much fun.

June 18, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. laurelsteven

I love it! Thanks so much for sharing it!

June 18, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. y0omii

fantastic! I've always wanted to learn how to make my own book ^^ This one will be fun to try out :D Thank you^^

June 18, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. ElizabethSorrey

love this! you can get so creative with making your own book. thanks :)

June 18, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. stoutwoodworks

Thanks for sharing! Very straightforward way of doing these!

June 18, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. illuminatedgoddess

Totally love it! So easy to make... thanks so much :).

June 18, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. ThingsUnseen

A little twist on simple idea. its perfect!! Thank you for sharing:)

June 18, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. quirkycreatures

I love it . Can't wait to make some quirky do-si-do books .

Thank you for sharing, great easy to follow steps and photos.

June 18, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. mammysshop

Amzing idea!

June 18, 2009 at 5:41 p.m. kanokwalee

Very cool. Thanks.

June 18, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. GeorgieAnnasJewelry

Thanks! It seems like a great gift all around. It would also be good for our military overseas and anyone else taking some kind of journey.

June 18, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. southernladysvintage

Cool!

June 19, 2009 at 1:59 a.m. spacejam

love it!!I know what to do on weekend =)

June 19, 2009 at 2:20 a.m. KAPARA

Wonderfull idea!!!!

June 19, 2009 at 2:33 a.m. lariata

Great idea! Thank you for tutorial! =)

June 19, 2009 at 2:35 a.m. medusa1307

Thank so much! I'm gonna try!

June 19, 2009 at 4:58 a.m. KayLuna

That's a cool idea! Love that do-si-do book!!

June 19, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. ShoreDebris

Thank you so much for the detailed instructions and pictures... I can't wait to try!

June 19, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. ApplewoodHandwovens

Clever project... yet simple, great details!!

June 19, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. skylerae

Awesome tutorial! I'm def. going to have to give this a try! I love the detailed instructions and pictures, it makes it feel like you are in the room with us!

Thanks again!
SkyleRae

June 19, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. ArtsyNikki

Can't wait to try this - very cool!

June 20, 2009 at 3:28 a.m. gerimaus

Very pretty indeed! I have a lot of loose papers and bits of board so it seems like a very good idea to put them together and use, rather than let the papers lie there and become damaged with each time I pull a single sheet out. I'll use it as one side for knitting and one side for crochet projects :)

June 20, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. samsstuff

Very cool project. I've been wanting to do some handmade books of some type!

June 22, 2009 at 12:26 a.m. becross

lovely idea , I will try to do one for lover.

July 27, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. jaines

very interesting.....i think i'll try this summer;-P

Nov. 2, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. JewishPapercuts

I can't wait to create this! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing the technique!

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