CEG London, Class 2

Fabric Covered Books

 

Class 2  Stab Binding

Paper Preparation

1.      Determine the size of the paper you plan to use.  e.g.. 6 x 9” and cut all pages to that size.  (Jan has precut 5 x 8" of flexi-firm for the covers of this project so your pages should be a little smaller than those dimensions.)

2.      Determine the number of pages.

 

Punching Holes in the Pages

1.      Make a stitching template using a 2” strip of paper that is the same height as your pages.  Divide the template into three even sections.

2.      Mark a punch/stitch hole ½ “ in from the left side at each of those three points.

3.      Use a binder clip to attach the template to your pages.

4.      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 all the pages. 

5.      Placing your pages on a foam pad or piece of corrugated cardboard will make the holes easier to pierce.

         

 

 Cover Preparation

1.      You will prepare separate front and back covers for this book. 

2.      Determine the dimensions of your cover.  Your cover can be the same dimensions as your pages or slightly wider and taller.  e.g. 1/8” wider and ¼ “ taller.  Jan has precut 5 x 8" of flexi-firm for the covers of this project.)

3.      Each cover will have two sections:  a hinge section and a body section of flexi-firm.

4.      Note that the left edge of the cover and the left edge of the pages will be aligned for this binding.

5.      One piece of decorated fabric will cover these two sections.  A small gap (about 1/8") will be left between the two pieces of flexi-firm.  This will allow the cover to fold back

6.      Decide how you will edge your cover.  e.g.  wrapped edges or decorative stitching on the edges.  This will determine the dimensions of your fabric.  If you plan to wrap your cover your exterior  fabric will need to cover the hinged area.  (Because we will be doing this in class, you will be wrapping the edges of your covers for this project.  You will need 2 pieces of at least 6 1/2" x 10 5/8" of fabric for the exterior of your cover.  You will need 2 pieces of at least 4 3/4" x 7 3/4".    Bring fabric somewhat larger than those dimensions and you can cut it to the exact dimensions required by your book.)

           fabric partly trimmed

 

7.      Decorate your cover as you wish.  Keep embellishments away from the spine and hinge area.  You will need space for stitching the cover and pages together and space for the hinge to work properly.

 

Punching Holes in Cover

1.      Align the left side of the front and back cover.  Use a binder clip to keep everything together.

2.      Align the stitching template to the left hand side of the covers.  Centre it between the top and bottom edges.

3.      Use your piercing tool to punch holes through the template and through the cover.  Make sure the holes go completely through the front and back cover.  

4.      Placing your pages on a foam pad or piece of corrugated cardboard will make the holes easier to pierce.

 

Stitching the Stab Binding

1.      Use binder clips to hold pages and covers together, with holes aligned.

2.      Use a length of thread at least 3 times the height of the book.

3.      Do not knot the thread.

4.      Leaving a 4” tail of thread, start sewing from the middle hole.  Enter from the back to the front. To hide the knot, enter the middle hole from somewhere in the interior of your book.

5.      Enter the top hole from the front of the book towards the back.

6.      Wrap the thread around the left edge of the book (from back to front) and enter the top hole again.

7.      Wrap the thread around the top edge of the book (from back to front) and enter the top hole again.

8.      Skip the middle hole and enter the bottom hole (from back to front)

9.      Wrap the thread around the left edge of the book (from back to front) and enter the bottom hole again.

10.  Wrap the thread around the bottom edge of the book (from back to front) and go back into the bottom hole.

11.  Sew into the middle hole (from back to front).

12.  Wrap the thread around the left edge of the book and go back into the middle hole.

13.  You should have two tails on the back or inside the book.

14.  Tie a square knot and clip ends.

            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tortoise variation:

 

Hole diagram                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stitch diagram