I'm Handmaking a Sketchbook. Which Side Should I Bind It On?

I’m making my own watercolor sketchbook! (Those things are expensive retail priced.)

I have a bunch of 22”x30” sheets of watercolor paper, so I cut some down to a medium sketchbook size (roughly 7.33”x10”), along with some board stock for covers. Those full-sized watercolor sheets are why I’ve got that cool, rough fringe on the leaves.

I wanted to ask folks: What would be your preference on whether to bind in portrait or landscape orientation?

Portrait: with the fringe opposite of where the sheets are bound, this seems to me like aesthetically the most natural way to put the sketchbook together.

Landscape: the long edge has more room to give up to putting holes in the sheets for binding. I also like the idea of wide landscape-oriented sketchbooks, but recognize you can just flip your sketchbook 90 degrees regardless of which side it’s bound on.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

I’m also thinking of making an extra one to try doing a giveaway…