So I attempted my first coptic stitch bind today using 25/3 linen thread. I applied bees wax to the thread. I need to get a smaller hole punch for the boards if I want to continue making these. So a Coptic Stitch binding is a non adhesive binding and I used this wikiHow tutorial and a video from Sea Lemon (posted at the bottom of the page).
I'm not a huge fan of the Coptic Stitch. I don't like exposed spines and I can't see them lasting decades of use. However I'm not very knowledgeable on their durability I'm just going off of what I see. I found using a double thread difficult but I'm chalking that up to inexperience on my part. I had a hard time keeping the thread taut inside of the signature and not over tight on the spine. Something that I failed miserably at this time around. The swell of the paper has caused the book to be twice as thick on the spine then it is at the edge so it isn't even pleasing to hold or look at. Something with this much swell I would normally prefer to round it with a hollow in the spine.
I added, for the first time, an elastic band onto the book boards to keep it shut. As this was my first time I ended up making it a bit too tight. So I obviously need a lot more practice with this style of book. I just don't understand why this style is so popular. I know people say it is because you can lay it flat but you can do the same with Sewn on boards binding as well. I suppose you don't need as much equipment to make them as it requires only a bit of adhesive if your going to cover the book boards. I may get a curved needle as it would speed along the sewing of the book.
I'm not a huge fan of the Coptic Stitch. I don't like exposed spines and I can't see them lasting decades of use. However I'm not very knowledgeable on their durability I'm just going off of what I see. I found using a double thread difficult but I'm chalking that up to inexperience on my part. I had a hard time keeping the thread taut inside of the signature and not over tight on the spine. Something that I failed miserably at this time around. The swell of the paper has caused the book to be twice as thick on the spine then it is at the edge so it isn't even pleasing to hold or look at. Something with this much swell I would normally prefer to round it with a hollow in the spine.
I added, for the first time, an elastic band onto the book boards to keep it shut. As this was my first time I ended up making it a bit too tight. So I obviously need a lot more practice with this style of book. I just don't understand why this style is so popular. I know people say it is because you can lay it flat but you can do the same with Sewn on boards binding as well. I suppose you don't need as much equipment to make them as it requires only a bit of adhesive if your going to cover the book boards. I may get a curved needle as it would speed along the sewing of the book.
As you can see from the picture above some signatures are tighter than others. I will need to work on my consistency
First time adding an elastic band to a book cover.
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