BOOKBINDING

101

A guide to the PACS method for

easy and beautiful handmade
books

BY ALI MANNING
VINTAGE PAGE DESIGNS

1
 Triple Chain Stitch Binding

Welcome
Welcome to Bookbinding 101 - a week-long journey into the
creative world of handmade books. Whether you're brand new to
book arts or returning after a break, this workshop is designed to be
an accessible and welcoming place to begin.

Throughout the week, we’ll walk you through the PACS roadmap —
Paper, Adhesive, Covers, and Stitching — with four live classes that
introduce you to key parts of the bookbinding process. You’ll
discover that bookbinding doesn’t have to be hard or intimidating.
In fact, it can be fun, relaxing, and even a little bit addictive!

Our goal is to help you move from feeling overwhelmed by tools

and techniques to confidently making beautiful journals.

2
This workbook includes information and resources to support
your learning throughout the week. And if you find yourself falling
in love with the process (don’t say we didn’t warn you!), we’d love
to welcome you into the Handmade Book Club, where your
creative book adventure can continue.

Let’s get started!

— Ali Manning
Founder, Vintage Page Designs & Handmade Book Club

Subheadings break
the monotony of long
articles:

3
About Me

I'm Ali Manning — book lover, lifelong maker, and founder of the
Handmade Book Club.

My bookmaking journey began when my daughter was born. Like

many new parents, I was overwhelmed and short on time. One day, I
folded a tiny accordion book filled with family photos — just 2" x 2" —
and it lit both her and me up. My book making journey began.

Since then, I’ve studied professional bookbinding techniques, pored

over manuals in libraries and museums, and taught thousands of
people how to make books by hand. In 2019, I founded the Handmade
Book Club to share the joy of bookbinding with a wider audience.

I believe bookbinding doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect — you

just need to start.

Ali
4
Contents
Paper Types 06
Common Bookbinding Papers
How to Choose the Right Paper
Paper Weight Explained

Working with Paper 14

Paper Grain
Page Formats
Creating Signatures
How Many Sheets Per Signature

Adhesives 22
Four Bookbinding Adhesives
What Glues to Avoid
Gluing Tips

Covers 27
Cover Types
How to Choose the Right Cover
Bookcloth

Needles & Thread 34

Bookbinding Needles and Facts
Bookbinding Thread
Understanding Thread Size

Stitching 39
Punching Templates
Single Signature Bindings
Good Sewing Tension

Extra Resources 45
Thread Conversion Chart
Common Book Board Sizes
Diamond Stitch

5
 01 Paper
Types
Paper is the foundation of every handmade book—but with so
many options, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

In this chapter, we’ll break it down step by step. You’ll explore

common types of bookbinding paper, learn how paper weight is
measured, and discover how to choose the right paper for your
next project.

6
 COMMON BOOK BINDING PAPERS
There are countless paper options, but to get started, we’ll help
you focus on the most popular ones.

Mixed Media Paper

A versatile hybrid that accepts both wet and dry media; strong
enough for light watercolors, ink, and collage; a great all-around
choice for signatures.

Examples:
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media: 300 gsm / 140 lb
Canson XL Mixed Media: 160 gsm / 98 lb

Drawing Paper
Smooth or lightly textured surface; ideal for pencil, charcoal, or
ink; folds well and works great for signatures.

Examples:
Strathmore 400 Drawing: 130 gsm / 80 lb
Canson Drawing Paper: 160 gsm / 90 lb
Student Drawing Pads: ~100 gsm / 65–70 lb
Accordion with Pockets

7
Watercolor Paper (pads or sheets)
Thick and absorbent, designed for wet media;
often textured (cold press) or smooth (hot
press); perfect for painting or collage pages that
hold up to glue and washes. Lighter papers are
good for signatures and heavier for covers.

Examples:
Canson XL Watercolor Pad: 190 gsm / 90 lb
Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Pad: 300
gsm / 140 lb
Arches Watercolor Pads: 300gsm/140lb
Arches Watercolor Paper (Sheets): 300 gsm
/ 140 lb

Printmaking Paper
Soft and strong, often made from 100% cotton;
holds up to pressure from printing presses and
embossing tools; beautiful for book pages and
covers.

Examples:
Rives BFK (by Arches): 250 gsm / 120 lb
Arches Cover: 270 gsm / 125 lb
Stonehenge Printmaking Paper: 250 gsm /
120lb

Other
Khadi Paper: 210–320 gsm
Handmade in India from cotton rag; textured,
deckled edges; great for watercolor, collage,
and covers.

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Other (continued)
Tomoe River Paper: 52–68 gsm
Ultra-thin, silky-smooth Japanese paper loved for calligraphy,
fountain pens, and ink swatching; low bleed-through and high ink
sheen.

Recycled Cotton Rag: 120–300 gsm

Eco-friendly, often handmade; soft and absorbent, varies in
texture and color.

I have not included links to the papers because there are many
different sources based on where you live and how you like to
shop. Do a Google search to find the best vendors for your
budget, location and preferred way to shop.

Ali’s Top 3
1 Arches Rives BFK - Watercolors & Collage

2
3
Fabriano Ingres Pastel Paper - Writing

210gsm Khadi Paper - Mixed Media Work

Ultimate Coptic Binding

9
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAPER
Not sure which paper to use? A few simple questions can help you
pick the right one for your project—whether you're making a quick
notebook or a special keepsake.

Match Paper To Use

Calligraphy? Use smooth, bleed-resistant
paper.
Watercolor? Choose thick, textured sheets.
Always match paper to your medium.

Consider Finish Type

Smooth paper is ideal for writing and fine
detail.
“Toothy” or eggshell finishes work well for
sketching.
Heavily textured paper (like cold-pressed
watercolor) is great for painting, but not for
pencil or fine pen work.
Will you need to run it through a printer?

Think Book Type

Everyday notebook: Lightweight and
affordable.
Make sure
Heirloom that you
or artist have
book: accompanying
Invest in archival- visual content
quality materials. catches the eye. Include photos,
that immediately
Travel journal: durable with room to expand
illustrations, and other graphics to match.
Check Grain Direction
For folded signatures, grain should run
parallel to the spine.
If you can, check the paper’s grain before
buying to prevent wasting paper.

10
Check Availability
What’s easy to find locally?
Imported papers may mean delays or extra cost.
Do you prefer to shop online or in person?

Consider Size & Format

Do you prefer pads, blocks, or full sheets?
What size book do you plan to make?
What kind of storage do you have?
Do you have access to a large cutter?

Budget Wisely
Save on practice or daily-use books.
Spend more on important gifts or books for special
occasions.

11
 Poetry Map Fold Book

PAPER WEIGHT EXPLAINED

Paper comes in all shapes, sizes, and thicknesses—and the
numbers on the label can be a little confusing!

In Europe and much of the world, paper weight is measured in

gsm (grams per square meter)—it tells you the actual weight of
one square meter of paper.

A paper labeled 100 gsm, means one sheet measuring 1

metre x 1 metre weighs 100 grams.

For a paper labeled 300 gsm, one 1m x 1m sheet weighs 300

grams.

Common Conversions
140lb watercolor = 300gsm
90lb watercolor = 190gsm
110lb card stock = 220gsm
20lb text = 75gsm

12
 Pamphlet Palooza

In the U.S., paper weight in pounds (lb) refers to the weight of 500
sheets (a “ream”) of uncut paper in its standard size before it’s
trimmed down for sale.

The problem is that although a ream has a standard number of

sheets i.e. 500, the sizes of the papers are not a standard size. See
below for a couple of examples:

The uncut size of text

Tip:
paper is 25" × 38" and 500
When putting together your sheets of that size weighs
own portfolio of papers, 80 lbs
start by asking friends,
The uncut size of
teachers and Handmade
watercolor paper is 22" ×
Book Club members what 30" and 500 sheets of that
papers they use and size weighs 140 lbs

recommend.

13
02 Working with
Paper

Once you’ve chosen your paper, it’s time to start working with it.

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to determine paper grain, explore

different page formats used in bookbinding, and prepare
signatures for sewing.

French Link Stitch with Hard Cover

14
 PAPER GRAIN
What Is Paper Grain? Why Does It Matter?

Grain refers to the direction in Proper grain direction results

which the paper fibers are laid in a better-built book.
down during manufacture.
Always aim to have the grain
Bookbinding materials like run parallel to the spine.
book board, book cloth, and
decorative papers also have a Folding against the grain can
grain. cause:
Cracking
If the grain of a piece of Warping
paper runs parallel to the Books that won’t lie flat
short edge it’s called Short
Grain. If folding against the grain is
If the grain of a piece of unavoidable, score the paper
paper runs parallel to the before folding.
long edge it’s called Long
Grain.
Subheadings break the monotony of long articles
Note: Handmade papers usually do not have a grain direction.

Secret Belgian Binding

15
How To Test Paper Grain
Bend Test
Gently bend the paper in both directions.
It will bend more easily along the grain.

Fold Test
Fold and crease the paper in both directions.
A smooth fold = with the grain
Cracking or resistance = against the grain

Dampen Test (for thinner paper)

Lightly spritz with water.
Paper will curl along the grain.

Accordion Book with Flap

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 PAGE FORMATS
Books haven’t always looked the way they do today. Thousands of
years ago, people in Mesopotamia wrote on clay tablets. Later,
scrolls made from papyrus or parchment were used in ancient
Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In Asia, books were often made from
single sheets of paper stacked or sewn together along one edge.

Around the 1st century CE, the Romans invented the codex—a
new kind of book made from folded pages sewn together along
one side. This format made reading easier and became the model
for most modern books. At the same time, accordion-fold books
appeared in places like China and Mexico.

Today, most handmade

books use one of three
main page formats: single
sheets, accordions, or
signatures (folded groups Bookbinding
of pages sewn together).
Some artist books still Terms
draw inspiration from
Folio – A single
ancient forms like scrolls or
sheet of paper,
palm leaf binding.
folded once.

Signature (or
Section) – A group
of folios nested
together.
Text Block – A
stack of assembled
signatures, ready
to be bound.

17
PREPARING SIGNATURES
Paper Grain: Always align the grain of the paper parallel to
the spine.
Folio Count: Use fewer folios per signature for thick paper,
and more for thin paper.
Folding: Stack folios and fold them all at once—not
individually.
Pressing: Press folded signatures under weight for several
hours or overnight.

Trimming Tips
Use a sharp knife, metal ruler, and cutting mat.
Measure the fore edge in three places before trimming.
Trim with light, shallow cuts, not one heavy cut.
If trimming all sides, do so in this order: head (top), fore edge
(side), tail (bottom).
To mimic handmade paper: Tear against a tear bar, or fold
and slit with a blunt knife or paper knife.

Drum Leaf Binding

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How Many Sheets Per Signature?
This is one of the most frequent questions that I’m asked and the
answer is - “it depends”. It depends on the binding type, the
content and weight of the paper. It’s best to experiment with your
favorite papers.

However, here’s rough guide to the most common bookbinding

papers:

Copier paper = 8-10 sheets (16-20 pages)

Drawing paper = 6–8 sheets (12–16 pages)
Mixed media paper = 4–6 sheets (8–12 pages)
Thick watercolor paper = 2–4 sheets (4–8 pages)
Printmaking paper = 2-4 sheets (4-8) pages
Tomoe River = 10–12 sheets (20–24 pages)

Wrapped long stitch, Staggered Running Stitch and Chain Stitch

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 Lattice Binding
Quiz #1
1. When folding paper for a signature, the grain should run:
A. Perpendicular to the spine
B. In a diagonal direction
C. Parallel to the spine
D. Across the top edge

2. In the metric system, what does a label of “300 gsm” mean?

A. The paper is 300 inches wide
B. 300 sheets weigh 1 kilogram
C. One square meter of the paper weighs 300 grams
D. It’s the same as 300 lb paper in the U.S.

3. Which of the following is not a reliable method for testing grain

direction?
A. Folding the paper in both directions
B. Spritzing with water to see how it curls
C. Cutting the paper into small squares
D. Gently bending to feel resistance

4. What makes mixed media paper a popular choice for book

signatures?
A. It is the lightest paper available.
B. It has a glossy surface.
C. It handles both wet and dry media well.
D. It is always handmade
20
[Link] is a folio in bookbinding terms?
A. A paper with decorative printing
B. A group of signatures
C. A single sheet of paper folded once
D. A spine reinforcement material

6. Why is comparing U.S. paper weights (in pounds) sometimes

confusing?
A. U.S. paper isn’t labeled with weights
B. Paper is weighed after it's trimmed
C. Each paper type has a different uncut sheet size
D. Only watercolor paper is sold by the pound

7. What should you do if folding against the grain is unavoidable?

A. Use a lighter-weight paper
B. Score the paper before folding
C. Use double adhesive
D. Add extra water to soften it

8. Which of the following is not one of the three most common page
formats used in handmade books today?
A. Accordion folds
B. Scrolls
C. Single sheets
D. Signatures

1 = A, 2 = C, 3= C, 4 = C, 5 = C, 6 = C, 7 = B, 8 = B
Answers:

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 03
Adhesives
Adhesives are the quiet heroes of bookbinding. The right glue
makes your books strong, flexible, and long-lasting. The wrong
glue can lead to frustration and a ruined project.

Here’s a quick guide to help you choose confidently.

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 FOUR BEST BOOKBINDING
ADHESIVES
Bookbinding PVA Glue
Polyvinyl Acetate is the go-to adhesive for bookbinders.
Best for: general bookbinding, covers, spines, endpapers
Pros:
Strong and flexible
Acid Free/pH neutral
Dries Clear
Easy to find
Cons:
Dries quickly
Strong smell
Freezes in cold temperatures

Wheat Paste
Made from powdered wheat or rice starch, mixed with cold
water and cooked.
Best for: Conservation work, paper, board, leather, book
cloth
Pros:
Reversible
Doesn’t stain paper or cloth
Easy to clean
Can mix with PVA
Cons:
Not pH neutral
Spoils after a few days
Slow to dry
Takes time to prepare
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Methyl Cellulose
A plant based adhesive sold in powdered
form.
Best for: Mixing with other adhesives,
lightweight papers, paste papers
Pros:
Doesn’t spoil
Easy to clean up
Extends drying time of PVA
Cons:
Weak adhesive on its own
Long drying time

YES Paste & Nori Paste

Starch-based pre-mixed adhesives.
Best for: Collage and lightweight papers
Pros:
Smooth application
Won’t wrinkle or curl delicate papers
pH neutral and acid-free
Easy to clean up with water
Long working time
Cons:
Not strong enough for thick board or
paper
Yes Paste may yellow over time
Can be tricky to spread evenly with a
brush
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What to avoid when constructing (not decorating)
books:

Glue Stick
Double stick tape
Hot glue
Glue dots
Tacky glue
Tape runner
Gel and Matte mediums
Modge Podge

Triple Chain Binding

25
 Gluing Tips
✔️ Too much glue leads to bubbles, wrinkles, and warping. Too little
glue can leave corners lifting or layers peeling apart.

✔️ Spread glue from the center outwards in a star shape to avoid

excess glue at the edges.

✔️ Always keep lots of scrap paper on hand.

✔️ If you live in a dry part of the world, PVA will dry very quickly.
Add wheat paste or methyl cellulose to extend drying time.

✔️ If you need to glue a large area, put your glue on a paper plate
and apply a thin even layer of glue with a mini foam roller from the
DIY store.

✔️ Keep baby wipes or a damp cloth on hand to keep your fingers

and project clean.

✔️ To avoid wrinkles when gluing two items together, apply glue to

the thinnest item.

26
 04 Covers
The cover of a book does more than hold the pages together—it
protects your work, sets the tone for the book, and is often the
first thing someone notices.

There are many ways to make a book cover, and the type you
choose will depend on your binding style, materials, and the
intended use of the book.

Spider Binding

27
 COVER TYPES
Different types of bindings call for different kinds of covers. Here
are a few key distinctions:

Hard Covers vs. Soft Covers

Hard Covers are made from rigid materials like book board
(also called binder’s board, Davey board, or grey board). These
are usually covered with decorative paper, book cloth, or other
materials. Hard covers offer the most durability and protection
and are ideal for books that will be used frequently or need to
last a long time.

Soft Covers are more flexible and can be made from materials
like heavyweight paper, leather, faux leather, Kraft-Tex, cork
or fabric. These covers are lighter and quicker to make but
offer less structure than hard covers.

Coptic Binding with Pockets

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Closed Spine vs. Open Spine

Closed Spine Books have a continuous cover that wraps

around the spine. This can be a single piece of leather, paper,
or fabric (often seen in decorative bindings), or three separate
pieces (front, back, and spine) mounted to book cloth or
leather to create a traditional case binding.

Open Spine Books have exposed sewing along the spine and
two independent covers (one for the front and one for the
back). This is common in bindings like Coptic stitch and certain
exposed tapes or chain-stitch styles. These are often
appreciated for their beauty and ability to lay completely flat.

Concertina Binding

29
HOW TO Similarly, a leather or faux
leather soft cover will hold up
CHOOSE THE better over time than a paper-
based one.
RIGHT COVER
Aesthetic Appeal:
When deciding on a cover,
The cover sets the tone—it’s
consider both form and
your book’s first impression.
function.
Whether you’re using
specialty papers, handmade
Wear and Tear:
prints, or a collage, the cover
A hard cover wrapped in book is an ideal place to express
cloth will typically withstand your creativity. This is
more handling and transport especially true for artists’
than one covered in books, sketchbooks, or
decorative paper. journals where the exterior is
an extension of the work
inside.

Purpose Of The Book

Ask yourself these questions:

Is this a quick jotting notebook, or a keepsake

journal?
Will it be gifted or sold?
Will it live on a shelf or be carried around in a bag?
Do I want to showcase my own artwork?

30
Book Cloth

Book cloth is a tightly woven fabric backed with paper, used to

cover book board for hardback covers. It’s durable, attractive,
and flexible enough to wrap neatly around corners and edges.
You can buy it ready-made or make your own in small batches.

Commercial book cloth is often made from cotton, linen,

buckram, or even synthetics, with a coating that makes it stiffer
and more resistant to dirt and moisture. Buckram, for example, is
a cotton or linen cloth with a protective starch or acrylic finish—
ideal for heavy-use books like library editions.

When making book cloth yourself, always back the fabric with
paper. Without this, glue can seep through the weave, leaving
stains and weakening the bond to the board. For small projects, a
double-sided heat-sensitive adhesive such as Steam-a-Seam II
works well (I use medium weight). For larger batches, wheat
paste is more cost-effective.

The process is simple: iron your fabric, coat a sheet of

lightweight paper with adhesive, then press it onto the wrong
side of the fabric. Smooth it out, let it dry completely, and trim
the edges. Once you’ve made a few sheets, you can experiment
with different fabrics and textures—there’s a whole world of
possibilities to explore.

31
 Long Stitch Link Stitch

Quiz #2
1. An open spine binding typically features:
A. A glued spine and decorative headbands
B. A continuous spine wrapped in book cloth
C. Exposed sewing and separate front and back covers
D. A metal spiral coil

2. If you're making a travel journal that will be handled frequently,

what cover material is a smart choice?
A. Handmade paper
B. Book cloth over hard board
C. Decorative washi paper
D. Thin card stock

3. Which adhesive is archival, strong, and commonly used for spines

and covers?
A. School glue
B. Yes Paste
C. PVA glue
D. Mod Podge

4. What is a key benefit of adding methyl cellulose to PVA glue?

A. It makes the glue permanent
B. It thickens the glue for textured papers
C. It extends the drying time
D. It helps the glue foam for easy application

32
[Link] is glue stick not recommended for structural bookbinding
work?
A. It causes too much wrinkling
B. It’s expensive and hard to find
C. It only works on book board
D. It forms a weak bond not suited for durability

6. What is one main difference between hard and soft covers?

A. Hard covers offer more structure and protection
B. Hard covers are faster to make
C. Soft covers are always made from cloth
D. Soft covers cannot be decorated

7. What is one reason to choose a closed spine book?

A. It lies completely flat
B. It shows off decorative stitching
C. It can use thinner paper
D. It protects the spine from wear

8. Which of the following is an example of a material that works well

for a soft cover?
A. Tissue Paper
B. Leather
C. Wood
D. Foam board

1 = C, 2 = B, 3= C, 4 = C, 5 = D, 6 = A, 7 = D, 8 = B
Answers:

33
 05
Needles and Thread
Before we start stitching, let’s take a quick look at the tools that
hold everything together: needles and thread. Choosing the right
ones will make sewing your book easier, neater, and more
enjoyable—even if this is your very first time.

34
 BOOKBINDING NEEDLES
You don’t need dozens of fancy tools to bind a book—but using
the right kind of needle makes stitching much easier and more
enjoyable.

Straight vs. Curved

Straight needles are the most common and work well for
most book structures.
Curved needles are useful in certain bindings (like Coptic or
link stitch), especially when you’re sewing in tight spaces or
looping through other stitches.

Blunt Tips Are Best

Ideally bookbinding needles have a blunt tip, which is helpful

because your holes are already made with an awl. Sharp needles
can damage your paper or thread. Blunt tips slide through easily
without causing extra holes and wear.

Tip:
When you’re starting out on your bookbinding journey, use
whatever needles you have on hand - embroidery, crewel or
tapestry. The important thing to remember is that the eye
shouldn’t be so big that it expands your sewing hole.

35
Needle Facts
#1 and #18 bookbinder needles are a common choice.
Choose a needle that matches the thickness of your thread
and the size of your sewing holes.
Most bookbinding needles are made from steel and most
come from England.
The hole where you thread the needle is often polished. This
helps your thread move through smoothly and keeps it from
fraying or breaking.

Holiday Bows Binding

36
 BOOKBINDING THREAD
When it comes to making handmade books, linen thread is the
gold standard. It’s strong, long-lasting, and a favorite among
bookmakers around the world.

While linen is the go-to, it’s not the only choice: Embroidery floss
or pearl cotton can work, especially for lighter projects. You
might also see silk but this is generally used for headbands.

A couple of well-known brands of line thread are:

Londonderry Thread is a well-known brand of unwaxed linen
thread that comes in many colors.
Crawford Linen Thread is usually pre-waxed. When the wax is
added during spinning, it’s called polished.

Waxed vs Unwaxed
Waxing thread helps it glide through the holes more smoothly
plus keeps stitches and knots in place. You can:

Buy pre-waxed thread (easy and convenient).

Wax it yourself using a block of beeswax (great if you want
more control).
37
UNDERSTANDING THREAD SIZE
You might also see threads labeled 2-ply, 3-ply, or 4-ply—
especially in basketweaving threads. This just tells you how many
strands are twisted together. These are usually thicker and look
great in exposed bindings where the thread is part of the design.

I almost exclusively use 3- and 4-ply thread in my work.

Linen thread sold by bookbinding suppliers often has two

numbers on the label, like 18/3 or 35/3. Here's what they mean:
The first number is the thread size. The higher the number,
the thinner the thread.
The second number is how many strands are twisted
together.

So, 18/3 means three strands of thicker thread, while 35/3 means
three strands of much finer thread.

Tip:
Spools of linen thread aren't
cheap—so when you’re
starting out, buy one spool in a
neutral color like white, cream,
black, or beige. That will match
most projects. If you want
variety without a big
investment, look for small
bundles on Etsy—many sellers
offer mini samplers in a range
of colors.

38
 06
Stitching
In this chapter, we’ll bring your book structure to life with
stitches. You’ll learn how to prepare your pages for sewing,
create a simple punching guide, and explore three beginner-
friendly binding methods to sew your first book by hand

39
Before you start stitching, it’s important to prep your pages with
well-placed sewing holes. A simple punching template and using
your awl correctly will help you create neat sewing holes and
make the sewing process more enjoyable.

PUNCHING TEMPLATES
Use cardstock - A sturdy Choose your marking
cardstock template will style – You can fold the
hold up to repeated use template in half and mark
and give you clean, the sewing holes along the
consistent results. fold, or mark them down
Mark the head (top) – one edge. It’s up to you—
Always mark the top of both methods work.
your template so you align Hold it in place – Use a
it correctly with each quilting clip or clothes peg
signature. to attach the template to
Align carefully – When your folded signature
punching holes, match the while punching.
top of the template with Save your templates –
the top of each signature Label and store your
to ensure your sewing templates for future
holes line up. books. They’ll save you
Size it right – Your time and effort later on.
template should be the
same height as your book
pages (most of the time)
and about 2" wide.
40
SINGLE SIGNATURE BINDINGS
A single signature binding is a book made from one folded
section of pages sewn directly into a cover.

Use a folded cover or score a 1/4" - 1/2" (0.5 - 1.25 cm) spine
to show off decorative stitching.

First hole: ½" from the top. Last hole: at least ½" from the
bottom (some exceptions).

Check if your stitch needs an even or odd number of holes.

Practice new stitches on a piece of scrap card stock or a file

folder.

Graph paper (store-bought or printed) helps space holes

evenly.

The cover is usually the same height as the pages but can be
slightly wider to protect the fore edge.

You can also fold the cover edges to add protection or create
pockets.

41
 GOOD SEWING TENSION
1. Slow down & relax
There’s no rush! Take your time and breathe.
Sewing too fast can lead to uneven tension
or accidentally skipping a step. A calm,
steady rhythm helps your stitches stay
consistent.

2. Sew the book on a bench or hard surface

Place your project on a firm surface while
sewing—it gives you more control and keeps
the book from flopping around in your
hands.

3. Wax your thread

Waxed thread glides more smoothly
through the sewing holes and helps prevent
knots and tangles. It also keeps your
stitches and knots in place.

4. Complete each stitch before moving on

Pull the thread snug after each stitch so
your tension stays even. Taking a moment
to tighten as you go will give you neater
results.

5. Sew the book in one sitting (if possible)

When you stop and start too many times,
your tension can become uneven. Try to sew
your book in one session to keep your
rhythm steady.

42
 Secret Belgian Binding

Quiz #3
1. What is the gold standard thread for bookbinding due to its
strength and durability?
A. Linen thread
B. Silk thread
C. Cotton thread
D. Polyester thread

2. What is the benefit of using waxed thread when sewing a book?

A. It removes the need for needles
B. It changes the color of the thread
C. It glides through holes easily and keeps knots in place
D. It creates looser stitches

3. Which thread is thicker: 18/3 or 35/3?

A. 35/3
B. 18/3
C. They’re the same
D. It depends on the brand

4. Why is it recommended to sew your book in one sitting?

A. To prevent the glue from drying
B. To maintain even sewing tension
C. So you don't forget your design
D. To avoid getting bored

43
5. Which type of needle is most commonly used in bookbinding?
A. Surgical needles
B. Blunt-tipped needles
C. Sharp-tipped sewing machine needles
D. Felting needles

6. Which of the following thread types is best reserved for decorative

headbands, not stitching entire books?
A. Pearl cotton
B. 4-ply linen
C. Silk thread
D. Polyester upholstery thread

7. Which of the following helps achieve good sewing tension?

A. Pulling stitches tight at the end of the book
B. Sewing in your lap
C. Completing each stitch before moving on
D. Using thicker thread

8. What’s a smart way to save money when starting out with linen
thread?
A. Use dental floss
B. Buy bright neon colors
C. Start with a neutral color and look for mini samplers
D. Only use unwaxed thread

1 = A, 2 = C, 3= B, 4 = B, 5 = B, 6 = C, 7 = C, 8 = C
Answers:

44
 Additional
Resources

Thread Conversion Chart

Traditional Basket
Pearl Embroidery
Linen Weaving
Cotton Floss
Thread Thread

30/3 2 ply #8 2 strands

18/3 3-4ply #5 4 strands

12/3 #3 6 strands

Common Book Board Sizes

0.08 80pt 1/12" 2mm

0.098 98pt 1/10" 2.5mm

0.090 90pt 3/32" 2.3mm

45
 This is just the beginning
You’ve folded, glued, and stitched your first handmade book—
congratulations!

If this has ignited a little spark in you and you want to keep going
(sorry if you’re addicted) then we invite you to join the Handmade
Book Club: a welcoming place to keep learning, stay inspired, and
make beautiful books all year long.

We would love to have you.

Learn a new binding every month

Access an entire library of past projects
Connect with thousands of makers around the world
Live calls, guest artists, inspiration, and support
In person meet ups and retreats.

Join now and enter to win a $500 art supply gift card!
(Annual members get 2 entries + 2 free months.)

[Link]/handmade-book-club/
46