TIME AND MATERIALS: As for Problem X, except bookbinder’s twine is to
be used instead of tape.
To carry out this problem a few common wood-working tools will be
necessary. A sewing frame may be made by older pupils, a working
drawing for which is here given. (See Plate LV.)
The wooden upright screws may be purchased. Instead of tapes the book
is to be sewed on bookbinder’s twine. Cut three pieces 6 inches longer
than the distance between the upper and lower bars. Tie one end of each
securely to the upper bar and slide them along to position. (See Plate
LVI.) Tie the other ends to the lower bar, pulling them as taut as
possible.
The signatures should be “jogged up” and carefully placed in a vise,
back up and extending above the jaws about half an inch. It may be
better (depending on the shape and size of the vise) to place the
signatures between two boards, and then the whole in the vise. On the
back of one signature mark off the position of the “kettle stitches”
and twine 5 points in all--and, if T-square, try square or triangle
are available, square lines across; otherwise lay off these points on
both outside signatures and thus insure cuts which shall be “square
across” the back. At each point saw across all signatures with a back
saw, making a cut about ⅛ of an inch deep. Hold the saw perfectly
horizontally, that the cuts may be of uniform depth on all signatures.
If vise and saw are not available, V-cuts may be made on each signature
with scissors instead.
[Illustration: PLATE LV. Working drawing of sewing-frame.]
To sew a printed book, begin at the front with the “head” toward the
right. Place the first signature on the frame (page 1 down), with the
back toward the operator and the three inside cuts against the twine,
leaving the cuts at the ends for the “kettle stitches.” If necessary,
move the pieces of twine along the bars so that they exactly fit the
cuts and sink into them. (See Plate LVI). Tighten the twine by turning
the wooden nuts and commence to sew. Hold the signature open with the
left hand, and, commencing at the head, (right) insert the needle from
the outside through the first hole. Bring the thread out through the
second hole on the right of the twine, cross it, and return the thread
through the same hole on the left of the twine. It will be seen that
this process is virtually the same as sewing over tapes. Continue
across the first signature and, when completed, close it, lay the
second signature on top, and, in the same manner, sew across it from
left to right. Pull the sewing threads tightly and always forward in
the direction of the sewing. If they are pulled backward, the paper
will be torn.
[Illustration: PLATE LVI. A sewing-frame in use.]
After sewing across the second signature, tie the thread to the loose
end as in a book sewed on tapes. When the third signature has been
sewed, make loop stitch as already illustrated, (forming a part of the
“kettle stitch”) and repeat this stitch at the end of each signature.
When the sewing is finished, grasp the book firmly and slide it up on
the cords about 1½ inches; then cut the twine from the frame, leaving
about 1¼ inches projecting beyond the book on both sides. Pull the
twine with both hands to straighten it. Put in fly-leaves and “super”
and bind as before. The ends of the twine should be frayed out, and,
after the fly-leaves are in, pasted in fan-shape to the outside leaf.
Put on the case as shown in Problem XIV.