Frequently Asked Questions

I begin my books with a ream of premium paper, 98 brightness, 24 lb, giving a smooth writing surface.  

I take out 50 standard letter sized sheets, and, depending on the book, I either leave them blank, or print lines onto them with my trusty Cannon Laser Printer.

For Bullet Journals I have to special order the paper, I've not been able to print the little pale dots with my laser printer.

So my standard offers are Sketchbooks, Journals, and Bullet Journals,

I also have experience with binding Fan Fiction, PDF documents, and Personal Yearly Planners.  From formatting and printing the pages, to stitching the text block, to designing the cover using vinyl.

I typically make whats called Case Bound books, which are books that you're most familiar with, having a hard shell wrapped around a text block.  Think your usual hardcover book.  

I can also make what's called a Coptic Stitch binding.  This shows the stitches along the spine, and allows the book to lie perfectly flat, and is particularly good for sketchbook or left handed writers.  

The book covers are typically a heavy weight book card, a type of pressed heavy duty paper.  I then cover the board with a fabric that makes it look pretty!  I use primarily cotton fabric, along with a variety of glues to adhere everything together.

I try to keep a variety of fabrics so that everyone can find something that they'd be delighted to receive.

I usually would request about a half yard of fabric, this is to make sure that I have enough for any errors, or to make sure I get an attractive part of the print.  

The rest I will probably make books out of!

I'll also knock a $5 off the price of the book if you bring me a fabric pattern I don't already have.

The prices of the books may vary, as I use a variety of papers and fabrics, but most pre-made books will be between $25 and $45, depending on the number of pages, the style of paper, and fabrics used.  

Custom made books typically begin at $35, and offer you the following choices:

• Book cloth - The fabric that covers the book.  This is what you'll see when you have your book on the shelf or sitting closed on the table.
• Paper - The basic options for paper are Blank or Lined white paper, however, I can also provide a specialized colors, such as rainbow, black, or pastel; or features such as gridded dots or grid squares for bullet journals for an additional cost.
• Thread - Books are stitched together with thread, and I can stitch your book together with a variety of colors.  The thread will show through the pages where they hold the signature in, and provide an additional pop of color as you move through the book.
• Bookmark - These are typically types of ribbon that are glued in to help hold your spot in your book.
• Book corners - These are metal tabs that give a book a bit of a fancy feel and protect the corners from drop damage.
• Head and tail tabs - These also provide a more finished look to a book.  These are the fabric tabs that you can find at the ends of a books spine, and are an additional item to add to your books.

Yes!  I would love to bind your book into a physical volume you can hold in your hands!

The process would begin with you sending me your finished text in a .pdf document.  Finished should mean that it is the final document that you'd like to use, as I wouldn't be able to offer to edit the text, except to insert blank pages so that it sits properly in the text block.  For example, enough blank pages that it starts on the right hand page, or each chapter begins on the right hand page.

I charge $45 for the first printed 200 pages, and $2 for each 20 pages after this.  

I had a friend request an anthology of some of her favorite stories.  This eventually became a tome of over 3,000 pages, with over one million words.  It took about a month to fold, punch, stitch, glue, and case bind.

I shy away from no challenge!

I typically give a timeline of about two weeks.  I do work a day job, and bind books at night, and it can take two full days for me to bind a 200 page book, providing time for the book's glue to dry.

I'm the solo binder with BatFeathers, creating each piece by hand at the dedicated bookbinding area in my home.  

My wonderful husband and partner in crime - William - an artist in his own right, supports me while I work.  He also accompanies me to craft fairs, with his endearing Australian accent, and warm, inviting personality, he's a staple by my side, and we are inseparable. 

My amazing mother - Judy - who taught me everything I know but bookbinding, also joins me as I sell.  She also helps me with my fabric choices, making sure I steer away from getting exclusively Halloween related fabrics, with her love of bright colors, and cheery fabrics.  She's also an artist, a watercolorist, and fantastic with practical crafts.

My supportive Father - also William, called Billy to his friends - is there for me, ready to sit down and talk through ideas with me, and have a hearty laugh, and discuss interesting facts about the world.  He's very hands on, and likes to take a step back from any issues, and review with a cool head, before making next steps.  

My two cats - Koro and Eyelie - A massive 25 lb black cat and a slender delicate fancy boy often try to accompany me as I work, mostly by begging for food, or trying to be held like a baby.

Therefore, there may be a little bit of kitty glitter included free with some books, by accident.  I do try to keep my books in plastic to protect them from dust and free flying fur.

I've never restored an old book, and would be concerned about making a grievous error on your beloved item.  I'm not trained in restoration or conservation, and would suggest that you entrust your book to someone with more professional training.  If I get more requests of this nature, it may be something I can offer, but at this time I don't feel that I can offer this service.

Basically, I'm a big nerd.  

I love the Legend of Zelda, and Twilight Princess is my favorite game.  (Though, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are probably my current favorite)

I was wondering, if I had a job in Hyrule, what would it be?  

I saw all of the books sitting on the shelves and thought "Oh!  I could be a book binder!"  And I created a fan character that binds books.  

Then I wondered what a book in Hylian would look like, and wished I had one for myself.  I then wondered, could I make books?

Turns out, I can!  So, I taught myself how, using the tutorials of Sea Lemon and others, with a little bit of trial and error, I've begun making books!  

I've been doing so for about five years now, and feel finally comfortable sharing my works of art with the world.

Etsy took it upon themselves to permanently suspend my account.  The provided no information as to why it was suspended, as I have not violated any of their policies, I completed all orders ahead of schedule, and I had no items that violated store policies.

I've changed to Ko-Fi, so that I can have a storefront, and, in time, I'll eventually sell from my own website.  

BatFeathers started because of a character I created, a bat winged hyena wolf, who's wings do have feathers at the top, it's mostly because I like the stylized look of feathers, but absolutely love bat wings, so why not combine them both?

Plus, it makes people approach and ask if bats have feathers!

No, bats are mammals, and do not have feathers.  :)