Book Review: Ultimate Papercraft Bible

The second book I'm reviewing this month couldn't be much more different from the first! 

To start with, the Ultimate Papercrafting Bible is HUGE. It's a massive hardback - 300 pages long and so tall it doesn't actually fit on the shelves I'm currently using to store all my other craft books (it's going to have to live with my lever arch files instead). And unlike State of Craft, it's not about personalities and trendy projects but instead is very much a traditional-style reference book of techniques.  

 

It reminds me a little of the huge DIY manual my dad bought me when I first moved into my old flat: a really detailed reference book with lots of clear diagrams and step-by-step instructions.

The first chapter,"Getting Started", covers equipment, materials and basic paper crafting skills like folding and simple techniques like adding decorative edges by stitching or punching. All the techniques are explained in step-by-step guides with easy to follow diagrams and extra hints and tips plus a few photos added to illustrate how particular techniques look when finished / can be used.  

The second chapter, "Colouring, Decorating and Texturing" includes colour washes, marbling, stencilling, stamping, glittering, gilding, and transfering images. From this point on in the book, tutorials and ideas for specific projects begin to be included to demonstrate particular techniques and processes.

Chapter three covers cardmaking, including adding inserts and making shaped cards, window cards, 3D cards, pop up cards and fold out cards. There are also some project ideas for making batch cards, like this change of address card:

Then chapter four focuses on making envelopes, decorating gift wrap (and gift wrapping techniques like tying neat bows), and making gift tags, boxes and gift bags. A few templates are included for the envelopes in this chapter.

Chapter five looks at scrapbooking - customising journal covers, cutting and matting photos, and adding text, embellishments and pockets.

Chapter six is all about papercutting, with lots of projects that have templates provided for them at the back of the book. I especially liked these garlands....

... and these candle shades:

Chapter seven introduces some basic origami techniques and step-by-step guides to a few simple designs like a flower, a bird and a notecard with a fan-like leaf:

Then the final chapter covers "Other Papercrafts" - including papier mache, techniques for making paper flowers, decoupage, quilling, and also making your own paper. 

Most of the templates in the book do need enlarging, but there's so much squeezed into this book that you really can't complain - plus many of the templates would always need enlarging as they're for quite large-scale designs like lanterns, etc. The majority of projects and techniques in the book don't require templates anyway. 

Because this book covers so many different techniques, I think experienced paper crafters might find it a little basic but I think it'd be perfect for a beginner. I think it'd also be a good book to flick through to spark ideas for new ways to use your paper stash, and it'd be a great fit for for someone like me who dabbles in paper crafting from time to time but could do with adding some skills to their repertoire!

 
Ultimate Papercraft Bible is published by Collins & Brown. RRP £25. It's available from Amazon UK, Amazon USA, The Book Depository and many other bookshops.

[Disclaimer: Collins & Brown sent me a free review copy of this book, and the Amazon & Book Depository links in this post are affiliate links]