Sewing on Split Thongs

Instructions

Folding the paper.
Modern commercial paper has a grain. Folding against the grain can break pages and may cause distortion if you choose to cover the book. There are many ways to determine grain; the roll method is the least invasive. Hold the paper lengthwise with one hand on either end allowing the paper to sag. Put the sides together and observe the size of the "u" at the bottom. Repeat with the paper in the other direction. The direction that makes a narrower "u" is the direction of the grain. Most normal text paper has a grain that runs long (down the eleven inch direction). If you are using the suggested text paper, you will first need to cut your sheet in half lengthwise so that each sheet is 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches. Gather four of the cut papers together and fold them in half so that they now measure 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches. The pages nest together best if they are all folded together as a single unit. These folded bunches are called either sections or quires. Use a bone folder or the dull edge of a butter knife to press down the fold.

Preparing quires.
You will need one hole per each strap as well as one 1/2 inch in form either end of the fold. In the case of this book, that means you will want a total of four holes per quire. Take a scrap paper long enough to mark all holes. Write a "T" at the top of the sheet and make marks for the top and bottom edges of the quire. Measure and mark 1/2 inch down from the top mark and 5/8 up from the bottom mark (this will help you keep your pages upright.) Mark 1 1/2 inches in from top and bottom edge marks. (If you are making a larger book, you may add straps.) Take outside sheet off to use as guide for other quires. Slip inner sheet into next quire, open quire and punch holes from inside to outside. Be sure to note top and bottom edge and keep same together. Repeat for each quire. When each quire has been punched, replace outer sheet back onto the first quire.

Sewing the book.

Cut one piece of thread one arm span in length. Coat the thread liberally with beeswax. This will make the thread more manageable and help the quires to move more freely when the book is completed. Thread one needle. Fold over ample lengths of extra thread for ease of sewing, the length of thread will be taken up quickly in the sewing process.

Start sewing from the outside the fold of the first quire. Pass thread form the outside of the first quire to the inside at the head station leaving three inches hanging out (you will tie this to the thread that jumps from the second and third quires latter). Move thread down to the next station and pass thread out the hole through the slit made in the leather or between the two cords. On the outside pass the thread back down behind the leather or cords, under the quire and back up. Pass the thread through the cut in the leather back to the interior of the quire. As always, be sure not to sew through the thread already there. Continue down the quire, station by station repeating the process. At the last station, send the thread out of the quire and up to the next at the tail.

To link one quire to the next into a codex using a split leather strap or two cords. First pass the thread from inside quire to the outside at the station and through the split in the leather.

Drop thread down one quire and pass under the leather bellow the quire. Move thread back up to the same hole that the thread came out of and pass the thread back into the quire and proceed to the next station.

At the end of the third quire it is time to start on the first Kettle stitch to connect the fourth quire. The link stitch is a standard binding technique. You will use it every time you sew on a new quire from here out.

Take the needle from the inside of the sewn quire out and down (a) under the thread between the previous two quires (b). Bring needles up through to the new quire(c). Pass the thread under the thread (a) that was passed down. Move up to the next quire, passing the needle to the inside.

As always, make sure not to sew through the previously sewn thread. When you are at you last quire bring the thread out. Pass it down under the last two quires and tie off using a square not. Cut off the excess thread, leaving about an inch to an inch and a half loose.

At some point in this process you will need to add more thread, this knot is a lifesaver. It is awkward at first, but with practice, it will become second nature.

Do this on the inside of a quire. (Smith, Sewn and Pasted Cloth or Leather Bookbinding for Book Artists Requiring No Special Tools or Equipment, pages 110-114)

To make the knot, take a new piece of waxed thread and start by making a loop with the short end over the long end. Bend the longer end close to the loop and push bend through the loop, creating the knot. Tighten the knot, not the loop, and not too much. Slip the old thread into the loop close to the paper. Tighten the knot and adjust placement. When the knot is in place give the new thread a tug on both sides (do not pull on old thread, this will loose the knot). You will feel a slight snap as the knot locks into place. Test by pulling the new thread. Release the knot by tugging on both ends of the old thread. As always, when pulling the thread be careful not to tear the holes in the paper.