Wednesday, September 25, 2013

CEG London, Class 1

Fabric Covered Books

 

Class 1:  Pamphlet Books:  single signature book 


Paper Preparation

1.      Determine the size of the paper you plan to use.  i.e. 8 ½ x 11” or 8 ½ x 5 ½ “ (standard sheet cut in half). 
2.      Determine the number of pages in the signature.
3.      Fold the papers in half.  Ideally, the grain should run parallel to the spine of the book.
4.      Nest the papers inside each other and align the folds.


Punching Holes in Signature

1.      Open your phone book to the middle to use as your punching cradle.
2.      Place your aligned pages into the fold of the phone book.
3.      Make a stitching template using a 2” strip of paper that is the same height as your pages.  Fold the strip in half lengthwise and mark the stitching holes on the inside of the fold line.  For the smaller book, 3 holes will be sufficient; for the larger book, 5 holes would be more appropriate.  Place one hole in the middle of the template fold and the remaining holes evenly spaced on either side of the middle hole.  The top and bottom holes should be at least ½ “ from the edge of the paper.
4.      Place the template into the centre fold of your pages in the cradle.  Align edges carefully.
5.      Use your awl or piercing tool to punch the holes indicated on the stitching template.  Hold your piercing tool perpendicular to the paper to make sure the holes go through the folds of the signature.


 
note that paper strip is folded in half lengthwise and the holes are in the fold

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cover Preparation

1.      Determine the dimensions of your cover.  Remember the rule of thumb:  Your cover should be at least ¼” wider and taller than your pages -- be sure to add in the width of the spine for your final measurement if you are using a lot of pages in your signature.
2.      Decide how you will edge your cover.  i.e.  wrapped edges or decorative stitching on the edges.  This will determine the dimensions of your fabric.  Refer back the General Rules of Thumb in the overview section to determine the measurements of your fabric.
3.      Decorate your cover as you wish.  Keep embellishments away from the spine area.  You will need space for stitching the signature to the spine.


Punching Holes in Cover

1.      Fold your decorated cover in half.
2.      Place cover in punching cradle if it will fit.  If not, simply fold the cover in half on a flat surface.
3.      Place stitching template into the centre fold.  Make sure the template is centred in the fold. i.e. 1/8 “ from top and bottom of cover.
4.      Use your piercing tool to punch holes through the template and through the spine of the cover.  Make sure the holes go completely through the cover’s spine.

 
Stitching the Pamphlet

1.      Use binder clips to hold pages of signature together for sewing.

Three hole pamphlet

1.      Use a length of thread at least 3 times the height of the book.
2.      Start with the middle hole.  If you start on the outside of the cover, the finishing knot will be on the outside and you can use beads to decorate the tails of the thread.  If you start inside the signature, the finishing knot will be inside the book, leaving a clean stitching line on the outside.  The choice is yours.
3.      Go out one end hole.
4.      Skip the middle hole and go to the other end hole.
5.      Come back through the middle, pull the thread tight and tie a square knot around the long stitch in the middle.  Be careful not to stitch through the thread when re-entering the middle hole.



 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Five hole pamphlet (or any uneven number of holes)

1.      Use a length of thread at least 3 times the height of the book.
2.      Start with the middle hole.
3.      Sew a running stitch down to the bottom hole.
4.      Continue sewing a running stitch back up to the top, but skip the middle hole.
5.      Sew back down to the middle and use the thread tail to tie a square knot around the long middle stitch.
6.      Be careful not to stitch through the thread when re-entering a stitch hole.  That will prevent you from being able to pull the threads tight.

 







No comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...