DIY Bookbinding

STITCH THE SIGNATURES 9

Stitch the Signatures

Using a

binder’s needle

(or similarly heavy needle, such as a tapestry needle), draw about

30" of

binder’s thread

(a thick, durable, acid-free linen) through the kettlestitch at the foot

of the last signature.

Exit the spine at the next hole and then enter the spine again, stitching around the first tape.

10 DIY BOOKBINDING

Keep stitching in this way until you exit the spine at

the head kettlestitch. Place the next signature over the

one you’ve just stitched and enter the spine at its head

kettlestitch. Stitch this signature around the tapes just as

you did the previous signature. When you exit the foot ket-

tlestitch, before entering the foot kettlestitch of another

signature, loop the thread around the foot kettlestitch of

the preceding signature, making a knot.

You’ll do this at the foot and head kettlestitches for the

remaining signatures, to prevent gaps between these

otherwise unstitched contact points between adjoining

signatures.

When you run out of thread, knot a new 30" length to the

existing thread. The best place to add new thread is just

before re-entering the spine around a tape.

Keep stitching till all the signatures are connected, and tie

a knot at the last kettlestitch.

STITCH THE SIGNATURES 11

Your signatures are now all sewn ...