Lesson 1Quality criteria for durability and open-flat performance (swell, flexibility, longevity)Understand what makes a hand-sewn book durable and comfortably open-flat by examining swell, joint flexibility, spine rounding, and material ageing, and by defining measurable quality criteria for workshop and client work.
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 sewingExamine thread fibres, sizes, and waxing, then study core sewing structures—kettle stitch, link stitch, long-stitch, and multi-section sewing—and how they influence swell, flexibility, and repair options in hand bindings.
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 choicesLearn the structural and aesthetic roles of endpapers, pastedowns, and flyleaves, how they protect the text block, control opening, and offer design options, plus how to choose and prepare suitable materials for each component.
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 booksExplore how paper weight, surface, and grain direction affect folding, sewing, swell, and openability in a 200-page sewn book, with guidance on testing grain and matching paper to intended use and binding style.
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 placementExamine mull, crash cloth, and spine liners as key reinforcements that distribute stress between text block and boards, with guidance on fibre types, weave, adhesives, grain, and precise placement for strong yet flexible 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 cordsInvestigate sewing supports and station layouts, including tapes, cords, and recessed versus raised supports, and how these choices affect strength, spine profile, and the visual character of the finished 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, endleavesMap the anatomy of a sewn hardback: sections, spine, joints, endpapers, headbands, boards, and endleaves. Learn how each part interacts structurally, how terminology is used, and how design choices affect handling.
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 constructionStudy board materials, thickness selection, and edge treatments that influence stiffness, protection, and visual refinement in hardback construction, with attention to grain, warping control, and compatibility with covering 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 booksSurvey key historical and regional hand-binding styles that inform today’s luxury gift books, noting structural features, typical materials, and decorative conventions that can be adapted for contemporary projects.
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 eachCompare animal glue, PVA, and wheat paste in terms of tack, flexibility, reversibility, and ageing. Learn where each adhesive excels in traditional binding workflows and how to mix, store, and apply them 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
