Coptic book binding techniques

Coptic binding tutorial bookbinding workshop singapore. Top 10 longstitch bookbinding tutorials ibookbinding. Sewing the pages together increases the durability of the book. The open spine concept also allows bookbinders to be able to customize and add a personal touch to their books. Making a magical tome with traditional bookbinding techniques by. Thats why many choose the smyth sewn binding technique. Try to learn bookbinding techniques online and coptic binding will definitely be one of the first few techniques that you encounter. Top 10 coptic stitch binding tutorials on the internet. I am currently doing a single sheet a5size coptic with 21 stations and previously a 5x3cm single sheet coptic using 8 stations, both using sewing thread, and they have been about as sturdy as i would expect coptic stitch to be.

Hardcover bookbinding uses a bind that consists of a hard exterior cover. How to make a sketchbook diy coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial. In this class, students will learn the basics of coptic binding through creating a small book. This book is a coptic book made to look like a japanese stab binding. The simplest form of coptic binding is as seen in the example above where the pages are held together by a neat stitch. Coptic binding a nonadhesive form of binding that stems from bookbinding methods employed by ancient egyptians. Coptic binding is favored by many readers and hobbyists, as it allows a book to. When using the coptic binding method to bind your book, you may use as many holes as you like for stitching. The book above is currently available in my etsy shop. I think its a great method for when you have book covers that. Bookbinding is the process of physically assembling a book of codex format from an ordered stack of paper sheets that are folded together into sections or so. Today, the skill of medieval book binding is carried on by hobbyists and highend book producers. Coptic binding or coptic stitch can be done using many different sewing patterns.

It also showcases a clear view of the spine and the colorful threads holding the. Aug 04, 2012 gogo getaway coptic book binding with niki rowland duration. Last year i learned the coptic book binding stitch. With this easy to follow coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial, binding your own book is easy and fun. Coptic binding or coptic sewing comprises methods of bookbinding employed by early christians in egypt, the copts, and used from as early as the 2nd century. Bookbinding is technique in which several pages are stacked together to form one readable document.

Online is a wonderful place to learn new skills, including bookbinding but it can be hard to sort through the different options and the quality of tutorials is variable. Students will become familiar with bookbinding tools, materials, and terminology, as well as sewing skills that will allow students to complete a coptic bound book from start to. In this 3hour workshop, each student will complete the binding of a book. Coptic stitch bookbinding is a simple and beautiful way to create a handmade sketchbook. Bind them together and create a book you and your family can cherish for years to come. Top 10 coptic stitch binding tutorials on the internet ibookbinding.

If you already have your holes punched, go directly to the coptic stitch tutorial. Because it was made as a wedding gift, i wanted it to open flat the way a coptic opens, but because the bride and groom had both spent time in japan, i wanted to style it as a japanese binding. Bookbinding presents a careful, stepbystep approach to case binding, which is the most common style of crafting a fullsized book. While there are many varieties of book binding out there to catch the eye of the collector or serious reader, nothing is quite so longlasting and impressive as leatherbound books. Next month, ill post how to make book cloth with this technique. Book binding a fun way to make something new, the old fashioned way. Nov 29, 2017 the quality of a book often depends on the type of binding used. The coptic stitch bookbinding method is another way to bind your book with a spine that opens up completely, so you can lay your book flat. Medieval bookbinding tutorials ibookbinding bookbinding. Diy coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial sea lemon youtube. Heres another method of binding your book with an open spinea chain stitch or also called. Students are invited but not required to bring decorative papers they would like to use for. Aug 16, 2010 the coptic stitch bookbinding method is another way to bind your book with a spine that opens up completely, so you can lay your book flat.

It made from weave cotton, good adhesive penetration for allowing glue to bind, while leaving the backbone of the book flexible. Due to its simplicity, a perfect bookbinding book project is a great project for people who are looking to try out bookbinding. I wanted to take a live class but couldnt find one locally, so i turned to the internet. Bookbinding in medieval china replaced traditional chinese writing supports such as bamboo and wooden slips, as well as silk and paper scrolls.

A signature is a compilation of two or more loose folios. Ok, so the title might be a little misleading weve actually crammed in 18 of the best coptic stitch also known as the chain stitch or coptic sewing book binding instructions and tutorials we could find on the web, along with a collection of video tutorials and many coptic stitch related resources pdfs, stitching patterns, photo galleries etc for you to get stuck in to it took. In this coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial, linda tieu takes you. Coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial the easy way tortagialla. Easy book binding two bookbinding ideas incredibusy.

How to make a book two great book binding ideas saddle stitch and japanese stab bookbinding there are lots of different ways to make books with or without a needle and thread, but this week the kids wanted to have a go at making these notebooks using. Coptic binding is a great introduction to aspiring bookbinders and anyone who is curious about handmade books. In this coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial, linda tieu takes you through how. Starting on the lefthand side of the signature, poke the needle into the first hole in the signature, from the inside going out. This course is perfect for anyone with a desire to make things. Place the back cover on the worktable facedown with 1 paper signature on top of it, all holes lined up and facing you. Coptic binding involves binding a book with an open spine.

Cut 6 of waxed linen thread, and thread the bookbinding needle. The beginning of this article includes basic instructions for making a hole template and preparing the covers and signatures for binding. Before stitching, you will need to punch holes in the covers and signatures of your book. The simplest method of binding a single signature codex, or a book bound on one edge, is with a pamphlet stitch. How to coptic stitch by sea lemon one of the best tutorials out there for this type. Coptic binding or coptic sewing comprises methods of bookbinding employed by early christians in egypt, the copts, and used from as early as the 2nd century ad to the 11th century. Sometimes its also called chain stitch in bookbinding, but more often its called coptic stitch binding. Oct 21, 2016 carolingian binding girdle books gothic binding medieval bookbinding romanesque binding. Create a stunning combination coptic longstitch archival book.

In the late middle ages, books were expensive and relatively rare, and binding was the responsibility of the bookseller. There are three basic variations of the pamphlet stitch. In this technique, the cover and signature are sewn at once. Its the highest quality book binding available on the market today and for good reason. May 10, 2012 the best known and most wellpreserved example of a coptic binding is found on a book dating from the fifth century entitled acts of the apostles, which is written in the middleegyptian dialect and presumably the first book in a twovolume set needham 79. Mar 23, 2019 using different types of bookbinding techniques, you can create some beautiful books. Bookbinding basics coptic binding cincinnati book arts. A coptic stitch style binding also often referred to as a chain stitch. Bookbinding by hand started thousands of years ago. Longstitch mini book made from leftovers from making a bigger book. Art professor demos coptic stitch bookbinding youtube. Coptic binding is favored by many readers and hobbyists, as it allows a book to lay completely open when flat and at an angle. Hand made books are great for gifts, self published art or literature, journaling, sketchbooking, scrap booking, and much more.

Let us see some of the hand bookbinding techniques that are common today. Bookbinding techniques bookbinding workshop singapore. Although ive already uploaded a couple videos showing how to coptic stitch bind, i wanted to make a clearer tutorial with a focus on just the. Here i am using a vintage advertisement i purchased at a rummage sale that is on lightweight chipboard.

Lesser quality binding techniques can often result in cutoff words, pages falling out, and a cheap look. Diy hardcover coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial sea lemon. What i really like about the coptic binding stitch is that you can use this bookbinding technique for almost anything that is fairly stiff for your covers. It seemed entirely possible that one could make faux leather this way. Types of binding back to basics student bookbinding. How to make books with 5 simple book binding methods babble. Developed in 4th century egypt, coptic books have beautiful linked stitches that stretch across the spine and open flat, perfect for a sketchbook or journal. Signatures are sewn through their folds, and attached to one another and again sewn through two loose covered boards with a chain like stitch across the spine. Dec 23, 2014 coptic binding a nonadhesive form of binding that stems from bookbinding methods employed by ancient egyptians.

How to make books with 5 simple book binding methods. This video will mainly focus on the covers, but ill show you how to make the entire book as well. Create sketch books or journals for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones. Book binding terms, materials and resources will be discussed as well as book arts communities and events. Coptic stitching is the most popular form of book binding. The art of binding one s own book, while never a common practice, is fast becoming a memory except for those few people involved in keeping this traditional craft alive. Stepan book binding, bookbinding, instructional, tutorial 0 comment october 21, 2016. The evolution of the codex in china began with foldedleaf pamphlets in the 9th century ad, during the late tang dynasty 618907 ad, improved by the butterfly bindings of the song dynasty 9601279 ad, the wrapped back binding of the yuan dynasty. Coptic stitching is one of the easier forms of stitched bindings, making it a great way to start learning, and it is one of the most intriguing with an exposed spine and intricate, visible stitching pattern. Single and double needle coptic stitch binding tutorials duration.