Lesson 1Quality criteria for durability and open-flat performance (swell, flexibility, longevity)Get to know what makes a hand-sewn book tough and easy to open flat by looking at swell, joint bend, spine curve, and how materials hold up over time, plus setting clear quality measures for your workshop and client jobs.
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 sewingCheck out thread fibres, sizes, and waxing, then dive into main sewing methods like kettle stitch, link stitch, long-stitch, and multi-section sewing, and see how they affect swell, bend, and fix-up 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 choicesFind out the key roles of endpapers, pastedowns, and flyleaves in structure and looks, how they guard the text block, manage opening, and give design ideas, plus picking and prepping the right 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 booksSee how paper weight, surface, and grain direction impact 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 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 placementLook at mull, crash cloth, and spine liners as vital supports that spread stress between text block and boards, with advice on fibre types, weave, glues, grain, and exact placing for strong but 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 recessed or raised ones, and how these picks influence strength, spine shape, and the final look of the 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 out a sewn hardback's parts: sections, spine, joints, endpapers, headbands, boards, and endleaves. See how each bit works together, the right terms, 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 constructionStudy board materials, picking thickness, and edge finishes that shape stiffness, protection, and neat looks in hardbacks, noting grain, warp prevention, and fit with covering stuff.
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 booksLook over main historical and local hand-binding styles that shape today's fancy gift books, spotting structure bits, usual materials, and decor traditions you can tweak for 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 eachCompare animal glue, PVA, and wheat paste for stickiness, bend, undo-ability, and wear. Learn where each shines in traditional binding steps and how to mix, keep, and use 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
