Recycled notebook tutorial part 2

Time for the second part of the bookbinding tutorial.  Today it is all about coptic binding.  The process is not very difficult but it requires some attention.  If you are ready, let's begin.

Attaching the front board to the first signature

1. Begin with the first signature.  Pass the thread through the first hole, from inside, leaving a tail inside the signature (you will use it to tighten and secure your stitches.)

2. Pass the thread from outside into the first hole of the board - the needle should come out between the board and the signature.  

3. Before tightening the stitch,  pass the needle through the loop.
Insert the needle back into the first hole of the first signature

4. This is how it should look.  Tighten your stitch and knot together the tail and the thread

5. Insert the needle into the second hole of the first signature

6. Repeat step 2 

- pass the thread from outside into the second hole of the board (the needle should come out between the board and the signature)

- pass the needle through the loop

7. Continue in the same fashion until you reach the last hole of the board.

8. After looping the thread around the board and onto itself, insert it into the last hole of the second signature.

Adding signatures

9. Insert the needle (from inside) into the second to last hole.

10. On the outside pass the thread (right to left) under the stitch connecting the first signature and the board.

11. Insert the needle back into the second to last hole of the second signature.

12.  Repeat steps 9 and 10:

   -from inside into the third hole

   -pass from right to left under existing stitch

   -back into the third hole

13. Continue until you get to the last hole.  After pasing the thread, from right to left under the stitch, insert it into the first hole of the third signature

14. Pass the thread through inside, into the second hole of the signature.

On the outside, pass the thread from left to right, under the stitch.

Continue stitching signatures together.  You will be travelling: from the first hole to the last (up-down) on the odd numbered signatures and down-up on the even ones.

When travelling up-down, the thread is passed from left to right under the existing stitch.

When travelling down-up the thread is passed from right to left under the existing stitch.

Attaching last signature and second board

15. This is the trickiest part of the binding.  In my example, after finishing the last stitch of the 4th signature I need to attach both the board and the 5th signature.

16. Instead of going into the first hole of the last signature, insert the needle, from outside into the first hole of the board.

The needle should come out between the board and the signature

Pass under the existing stitch (left to right) and insert the needle into the first hole of the signature.

17. Pass through inside into the second hole

18. Pass under the stitch (left to right), then loop around the board.  Before inserting the needle back into the second hole, pass it through the loop on the board. 

 

19. Repeat steps 17 and 18, until the last hole is reached:

- Pass through inside into the third hole

- Pass under the stitch (left to right), then loop around the board ...

20. ... loop through the stitch on the board  and pass back into the third hole 

 

21. Here is another illustration:

- through inside into the hole

- under the previous stitch (left to right)

- loop around the board

- through the loop

- back into the hole

22. You should end up with the book spine that looks like this.

23. After the last stitch, the thread ends up inside the last signature.  Loop the needle under the binding thread, tighten the knot and cut the thread. 

 

 

24. Your notebook is done!


















25. It is normal to see small spaces between signatures.  If your binding is too tight, put your notebook under press for 24 hours - the string should stretch a little bit. 

Notes: 

• you might find it easier to use a curved tapestry needle instead of the regular straight one
• make sure to tighten your string, while stitching 

Feel free to contact me or leave a message with questions, comments or simply to share your projects.
Happy bookbinding!