Coptic book binding needles

This item lineco book binding stainless steel needles, package of 5 870887 lineco acidfree book binders board, 70 pt, 15 x 20. I like the coptic stitch, but i dont the way it look at each end it just looks so messy to me. Bind them together and create a book you and your family can cherish for years to come. These needles are curved to allow users to reach odd angles. Students will make one book in class and go home with a second set of blank wooden covers and the binding needles required to make a second book. Beginning of a dialog window, including tabbed navigation to register an account or sign in to an existing account. These are easily available in most craft stores and even in departmental stores. Adapting an 1800 year old binding, well sew wrapped sections into beautiful books. Making bookbinding headbands tutorial ibookbinding. Coptic book binding is a traditional form of book binding that has been around for thousands of years.

I can handle ten threads and ten needles, but when i add headphones to the mix i often listen to podcasts while working the trouble begins. We stock straight and curved bookbinding needles in two sizes. In this case there were 2 sets of sewing stations, so it was sewn with 4 needles and 2 pieces of thread. Then press the text block at least overnight before you sew. Start by taking your first signature and from the inside, thread both needles one on either end of the thread through your holes. Sometimes its also called chain stitch in bookbinding, but more often its called coptic stitch binding. We learn the use of book binding tools and begin by making a pamphlet. This introduction is an overview of examples of twoneedle coptic bound books and a description of this type of book. The photographs are actually of my second attempt at a soft cover coptic book, and i tried something a little different, so you just have to imagine some things a little. Originally the coptic binding process was used by early christians in egypt the copts some 2000 years ago and hence its name. Regular needles refer to the straight needles that are commonly used for sewing.

In week two, participants will bind the painted cover into a book by learning the classic coptic stitch. As the various art books on display highlighted, the chain stitch that allows the book to lie completely flat makes it ideal for journals, sketchbooks, and art projects. The book above is currently available in my etsy shop. Introduction to coptic book binding with sue bjerke wet. Soft cover coptic sketchbook please forgive the crude diagrams. This book has ten sewing stations, which means im working with ten needles. There are two main reasons coptic binding is popular. Perfect for coptic stitch bookbinding and book repair, lineco curved needles have a 112 3. Headbanding is the process of strengthening the head of a book. Last year i learned the coptic book binding stitch. Bookbinding needles bookbinding tools 101 bookbinding.

Check out these beautiful books hand bound by kate bowles on folksy. Before stitching, you will need to punch holes in the covers and signatures of your book. Coptic stitch binding tutorial bookbinding tutorial. A single needle coptic binding uses 1 needle and 1 thread for the entire book. Our curved needles are ideal for coptic binding and restoration. Curved needles are commonly used in upholstery where thick fabric such as leather have to be sewn onto furniture. These books typically had paired sewing stations, sewn using two needles for each pair of sewing stations. The beginning of this article includes basic instructions for making a hole template and preparing the covers and signatures for binding. This form of binding, also known as coptic sewing, leaves the spine of the book exposed, revealing the stitches that connect the pages of the book. Bookmaking and bookbinding supplies blick art materials. Mar 24, 2015 im in the middle of reading and writing currently, but i took a little break to make a little book for a friends birthday. Curved needles may not be as easily available as regular needles. Make sure your paper, book cloth and book board are acidfree if you want your book to be archival. They also tend to break easily due to their shape and the way you handle them.

This historical binding was developed during the second to third century in egypt. When you register for class, you will specify if you will be taking both classes or only one. This book is a coptic book made to look like a japanese stab binding. Now with your thread on the outside of the signature, thread down through the hole of your outside cover, and then back into the hole you just came out of. Stitching copticbound books washington university in st. Directions for sewing the coptic binding with multiple needles. Cut 6 of waxed linen thread, and thread the bookbinding needle. Have you noticed how the sewing thread in my coptic bound books. Coptic binding or coptic sewing comprises methods of bookbinding employed by early christians in egypt, the copts, and used from as early as the 2nd century ad to the 11th century. Szirmai, the chain stitch binding dates from about the sixteenth century in ethiopia and eritrea. Create sketch books or journals for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones. You can fill a sock with beans, rice, or beanbag filler. Manufactured from the finest grade steel, they are sold in a package of fiv. If you already have your holes punched, go directly to the coptic stitch tutorial.

Online is a wonderful place to learn new skills, including bookbinding but it can be hard to sort through the different options and the quality of tutorials is variable. Lineco binders needles have a length thats easy to handle and a slightly blunted point to reduce snags. This is done by the sewing a cord onto the backbone behind the boards, which secures the signatures together more firmly. Top 10 coptic stitch binding tutorials on the internet. The term is also used to describe modern bindings sewn in the same style. The thread travels along the spine backandforth and is continuous. Needles are an important tool in bookbinding since we would need to sew book signatures together most of the time. Travel back in time to when books were the most precious and expensive item in the house. You can make either book with either kind of needle, but we find it much easier using curved for coptic, which we find also allows for the binding to be tighter, and we find it less awkward to use straight needles on something like a. Book craftspaper craftstypes of bindingbookbinding tutorial. Feb 1, 2018 etutorial coptic weave binding with paired needles. You will need a clean, flat surface to work on like a desk or the kitchen table. Coptic binding with multiple needles sewing directions.

And unlike the more common coptic binding that uses 1 needle and a continuous piece of thread, this paired needle version uses uses 2 needles and 1 piece of thread for each set of sewing stations. Place the back cover on the worktable facedown with 1 paper signature on top of it, all holes lined up and facing you. Needle binding occurs in most culture as knotless netting, used for making carrying nets for ceramic containers and for fish nets. Coptic stitching is the most popular form of book binding. I will post more pictures of this 1needle coptic tomorrow. The coptic stitch bookbinding method is another way to bind your book with a spine that opens up completely, so you can lay your book flat. This is the most difficult yet rewarding part of the bookbinding process binding your book.

Im a big fan of multineedle coptic binding, but you can apply all my tips to the singleneedle binding just as well. Because it was made as a wedding gift, i wanted it to open flat the way a coptic opens, but because the bride and groom had both spent time in japan, i. Curved needles work very well when sewing a coptic stitch, while a straight needle works great on a long stitch. Functionalitywise, coptic binding doesnt use any special glues and results in a book that can open flat. Although it is fairly simple, there are some specialized tools you might find incredibly handy when binding your own books. Next, line up the creased edge of your book with the center of the tape and press your book down into the tape.

In this video, ill go over three basic needles used for bookbinding. The ethiopian bookbinding technique is a chain stitch sewing that looks similar to the multi section coptic binding method. The coptic stitch and how to make a coptic sock by ann asplund, asplund. Use the curve of this needle to create coptic stitches. Bookbinding kits, vencink bookbinding supplies hand book binding starter tools kit with genuine bone folder creaser, paper awl, largeeye needles, waxed thread, binding ribbon, glue brush, steel ruler. The coptic binding makes a journal that opens flat for ease in use. Lineco stainless steel curved needles for book binding and repair. Starting on the lefthand side of the signature, poke the needle into the first hole in the signature, from the inside going out. We prefer to use curved needles as its shape provides an easier grip and allows us to work the needle around edges of the book with ease. There are many different styles and interesting ways to bind books and i hope after learning the coptic technique, you are interested enough to check out some other techniques. It made from weave cotton, good adhesive penetration for allowing glue to bind, while leaving the backbone of the book flexible. Create a stunning combination coptic longstitch archival book. Rosemaling swedish dalmalning and introduction to coptic. This is one version of a coptic binding, a book with an unsupported spine that opens completely flat.

We will make both paperbacked and woodencovered journaltype books with windows for. Early christians living in egypt are thought to be responsible for developing the coptic style of binding pages, by stitching their edges together and to front and back covers. The small needles are perfect for general binding projects and the mixed packs are for those who need both the small and also larger heavy duty needles. The students progress to the coptic book, using two needles, and finish by. The double needle coptic stitched book was the most challenging and rewarding book we made. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.

This allows the folds to be as compressed as possible which in turn allows the s. To bind a book, start by folding your pages in half and stapling them together at the folded crease. The result is a stronger binding construction, and even the backbone can be prevented from damage. With this easy to follow coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial, binding your own book is easy and fun. See more ideas about book binding, book making and handmade books. The binding stitches form of chain from the folded edge of one signature to the next. Coptic stitching is one of the easier forms of stitched bindings, making it a great way to start learning, and it is one of the most intriguing with an exposed spine and intricate, visible stitching pattern. A coptic stitch style binding also often referred to as a chain stitch binding is one that doesnt use any glues and where the signature stitchings are generally exposed or left completely open thus allowing flexibility without sacrificing strength. Then, cut a piece of binding tape thats about 2 inches longer than your book and lay it stickyside up on a flat surface. If youre lefthanded or have a southpaw who you hold close to your heart, you know. Learn this beautiful fourthcentury ethiopian coptic binding method, which uses two needles on a single thread to bind books. I wanted to take a live class but couldnt find one locally, so i turned to the internet.