Sewing the pages back together!
Part 1 – Repairing individual pages
First, got organized with the several tools and supplies I would need . . .
Linen thread – my first time to use official real book binding thread. (I have been using embroidery floss for the smaller artsy books because I have a lot of that already.)
I had already learned the joys of the curved needle from previous projects.
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/4-1024x768.jpg)
Beeswax for the coating the thread so it is less likely to tangle. I was curious to see what all the hype was about . . . would it really make any difference? Indeed it does, in a dramatic way! Definitely worth it!
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/4.5.jpg)
Ruler for spacing the holes and awl for making them.
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1-1-1024x860.jpg)
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2-817x1024.jpg)
I used my trusty flower press again in this step to hold the pages securely and it worked out okay.
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/7-1-1024x768.jpg)
There are a lot to do!
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/8-1024x768.jpg)
And, we’re off!
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/6-1-1024x768.jpg)
I was a little surprised by how well the brand new thread matched the old pages – perfect!
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/9-e1590882904446-1024x768.jpg)
Still quite a few to go . . . . . .
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/11-1-1024x768.jpg)
Marking the next-to-last group of signatures . . .
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/12-1-1024x768.jpg)
So happy to reach the last five signatures!
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/13-1-1024x768.jpg)
All done and back together!
I noticed a few places here and there that needed a bit of tape;
this is all I had left at the end – just enough!
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/5-1.jpg)
At last! All done and back together!
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/14-1-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://bigthicketbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/15-1-1024x768.jpg)
Next up will be tidying up the loose ends, plus adding the piece over the spine of the block that tightens things up and holds it all together.
I set a timer while I worked on a couple of the sections and did some multiplying and according to my calculations, I estimate this sewing step took approximately a million hours. đŸ™‚
The main things I learned from this step (aside from the usual review of the lesson “haste make waste”, again!) were 1) I want to make improvements to my flower-press so that it can stand upright and stay there, like a proper book binding jig and 2) I will plan to get a real book binding sewing frame if I do another big book like this someday.
I was also reminded how much I enjoy the Coptic stitching; it’s very soothing.
Continue with Part 3 – Cover and Binding