The Birth of a Book
Each signature is trimmed individually. Guiding holes for the thread are punched in using a template and signatures are stacked in order in preparation for sewing, one of my favorite parts of the process.
Stitching is done by hand with needle and waxed thread. Strips of book tape are sewn onto the back of the spine for added support. When all of the signatures have been sewn together, the text block is ready to be pressed.
The press is a simple affair of two thin boards clamped around the text block, which is protected by another clean sheet of paper. The block is squared up and inserted into the press. Two coats of neutral pH adhesive are brushed over the spine for additional support.
Gold flyleaves are tipped in and again the text block is pressed until the adhesive has completely dried. I love the act of
tipping in. At this point the pastedown is prepared and adhered to the block, and again all is pressed until the adhesive has dried.
The boards and backstrip are measured and cut and the fabric used to cover them is prepared. Headbands are affixed to the spine and the case is completed amidst much gluing and pressing of the boards. When all is dry, the end pastedown is glued to the board. The cover image is affixed to the board. Once that has dried, the text block is pasted to the boards and the little book goes for its final pressing.
When all is done, we are left with a book that is nearly impossible to photograph, but which I've been told is a joy to hold in the hand.