Lesson 1Quality criteria for durability and open-flat performance (swell, flexibility, longevity)Grasp what ensures a hand-sewn book stands the test of time and lies flat nicely by looking at swell, joint give, spine curve, and how materials hold up over years, while setting clear measures for quality in your workshop or for clients.
Defining durability and service life targetsSwell control in sewing and roundingJoint flexibility and board hinge behaviorSpine shape, backing, and opening angleTesting books for strain and early failureLesson 2Thread types, weights, and sewing structures: kettle stitch, long-stitch, multi-section sewingLook closely at thread fibres, thicknesses, and waxing methods, then dive into main sewing ways—kettle stitch, link stitch, long-stitch, and multi-section sewing—and see how they shape swell, bend, and fixing options in handmade books.
Linen, cotton, and synthetic thread optionsThread sizing, strength, and waxing methodsKettle stitch and link stitch fundamentalsLong-stitch and exposed sewing variantsManaging swell in multi-section sewingLesson 3Endpapers, pastedowns, and flyleaves: function and material choicesDiscover the building and beauty roles of endpapers, pastedowns, and flyleaves, how they guard the text block, manage how it opens, and give design chances, plus picking and readying fitting materials for each part.
Functional roles in support and protectionSingle, double, and made endpaper constructionsMaterial choices: text, decorative, and clothGrain direction and folding of endpaper unitsTipping, pasting, and hinging techniquesLesson 4Paper types and grain direction: choices for 200-page sewn booksFind out how paper weight, feel, and grain way affect folding, sewing, swell, and how well it opens in a 200-page sewn book, with tips on checking grain and picking paper for the job and binding kind.
Identifying grain direction by touch and curl testsChoosing paper weight and bulk for 200-page textsSurface, sizing, and opacity for print and illustrationManaging paper swell and compensation guardsMatching paper to binding style and end useLesson 5Mull, crash cloth, and spine liners: purpose, materials, and placementStudy mull, crash cloth, and spine liners as vital supports that spread strain between text block and boards, with advice on fibre kinds, weave, glues, grain, and exact placing for sturdy yet bendy spines.
Comparing mull, crash, and paper liningsSelecting weave, weight, and fiber contentAdhesive choice and application thicknessLiner width, position, and shoulder coverageLayering multiple linings for heavy booksLesson 6Types of sewing supports and stations: tapes, cords, and raised vs. recessed cordsDig into sewing supports and station setups, like tapes, cords, and sunk versus raised ones, and how these picks shape strength, spine look, and the style of the final binding.
Planning sewing stations and spacingFlat tapes versus round cords in sewingRaised versus recessed support aestheticsLacing-on and board attachment methodsSupport choices for heavy or tall booksLesson 7Anatomy of a book: sections, spine, endpapers, headbands, boards, endleavesChart the parts of a sewn hardback: sections, spine, joints, endpapers, headbands, boards, and endleaves. See how each bit works together, the words used, and how choices affect how it's handled.
Sections, signatures, and text block formationSpine, shoulders, and joint definitionsEndpapers, endleaves, and their interfacesBoards, squares, and fore-edge alignmentHeadbands, tailbands, and caps overviewLesson 8Boards, board thicknesses, and edge treatment for hardback constructionExamine board stuffs, thickness picks, and edge finishes that shape stiffness, safety, and fine looks in hardback making, noting grain, warp checks, and fit with cover materials.
Comparing binder’s board and other substratesChoosing board thickness for 200-page booksBoard grain direction and warp preventionCutting boards, squares, and shoulder fitBeveling and shaping board edgesLesson 9History and styles of hand binding relevant to luxury gift booksReview main past and local hand-binding ways that shape today's fancy gift books, marking build features, usual materials, and decor rules that fit modern jobs.
Overview of medieval and early modern bindingsFrench, German, and English style contrastsFine trade bindings of the nineteenth centuryArts and Crafts and private press influencesAdapting historic models for gift editionsLesson 10Adhesives and their properties: animal glue, PVA, wheat paste—where and when to use eachWeigh animal glue, PVA, and wheat paste for grip, bend, undo-ability, and wear. Find where each shines in old binding steps and how to mix, keep, and put on safely.
Key adhesive properties and terminologyPreparing and using hot animal glueMixing and modifying PVA for bindingsCooking and thinning wheat starch pasteChoosing adhesives for each binding step
