Last year i learned the coptic book binding stitch. Single needle coptic 2 i also found this alternate small c coptic binding in smiths exposed spine sewings. The next step is to create the signatures and then sew it all together. Dec 04, 2019 4 needle coptic binding signatures measuring 5 x 31 2 inches i actually finished this levelup coptic binding book last weekend but have been almost literally sitting on it, having had it under heavy books trying to get it to behave. The stitching is a 2needle ethiopian coptic stitch. A station is one chain of threadknots that hold the pages together in a coptic stitch book. Create a stunning combination coptic longstitch archival book. Coptic stitch journal project ideas blick art materials. Ten tips for a tightly bound, solid coptic stitch book. Calculating thread length for coptic stitch binding. Coptic binding part 2 sewing it all together handmade.
The thread goes along between the stations twice, hence it results a thicker spine. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. I usually measure the length of the book times the number of signatures, plus 2 more times for the covers. It works great for sketchbooks, photo albums and journals. All sewings require only needle thread and scissors. This little book is hand bound with a 4 needle ethiopian. The stitching is a 2 needle ethiopian coptic stitch. Coptic binding is favored by many readers and hobbyists, as it allows a book to lay completely open when flat and at an angle. Learn 2 different versions of the popular coptic stitch binding.
Top 10 coptic stitch binding tutorials on the internet. Awl embroidery needle selfhealing mat paper i used 8 sets of 5 sheets decorative paper board for covers. It has the appearance of a chain stitch once its finished. Oct 16, 2019 this is a coptic stitch book i made recently using one of the handmade rose papers from junes paper club. Coptic binding is a great introduction to aspiring bookbinders and anyone who is curious about handmade books. Tutorial for the vintage needlebook created from a digital printable in my etsy store duration. You can continuously stitch the whole book without changing. To bind a book, start by folding your pages in half and stapling them together at the folded crease. The transition from scroll to binding was a long one, but it is connected to the spread of christianity.
It is rather different than other coptic ish stitches that i have used and i really like it. Instructions on creating the coptic binding stitch. It made from weave cotton, good adhesive penetration for allowing glue to bind, while leaving the backbone of the book flexible. There are two main reasons coptic binding is popular. Its a beautiful book with an exposed spine in which you can see the sewing of the pages. Well begin by having fun and painting the paper for our book. At this point you will have created the covers for your book. The procedures are also presented as 350 drawings, elaborately diagrammed step by step. Part 2 of the book gives detailed written instructions for 33 simple to complex bindings. 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. Coptic stitch binding tutorial bookbinding tutorial the.
Well begin by having fun and painting the paper for our book, using different mark making. See more ideas about book binding, book making and handmade books. Then, cut a piece of binding tape thats about 2 inches longer than your book and lay it stickyside up on a flat surface. Start by taking your first signature and from the inside, thread both needles one on either end of the thread through your holes. The materials ruler glue scissors razor blade xacto knife, etc. Jan 25, 2007 10 responses to calculating thread length for coptic stitch binding pat says. Starting on the lefthand side of the signature, poke the needle into the first hole in the signature, from the inside going out. Coptic binding or coptic stitch can be done using many different sewing patterns. Nov 17, 2014 today we will be learning how to make a nice book using coptic stitching. I wanted to take a live class but couldnt find one locally, so i turned to the internet.
This style of book binding was used by the early egyptians and was one. The coptic binding allows the book to lay open flat making it very easy to write or draw in. Book crafts paper crafts types of binding bookbinding tutorial origami diy notebook cool books handmade books smash book. The coptic stitch is a nonadhesive, handsewn binding method introduced during the fourth century a. May 06, 2020 to bind a book, start by folding your pages in half and stapling them together at the folded crease.
Go here to see how i made the covers for these journals. I used a single needle to sew the coptic stitch through 9 sewing stations, and i added a wrapper to each signature from using junes dill paper. Next, line up the creased edge of your book with the center of the tape and press your book down into the tape. We all used it and although a couple of people came pretty close to not having enough thread we did all make it without adding any thread. Directions for sewing the coptic binding with multiple needles. Coptic book binding samples handstitched binding with the books spine exposed. Beginning in the 2nd century ad in the eastern mediterranean basin, the egyptian copts used a chain stitch fig.
Online is a wonderful place to learn new skills, including bookbinding but it can be hard to sort through the different options and. This would depend on the thickness of the thread you are using. Still in use today, an advantage of journals sewn in the coptic style is that they lie completely flat when open. This is one version of a coptic binding, a book with an unsupported. Coptic binding tutorial bookbinding workshop singapore. Generally, i would prefer needles with a longer shank where you put the thread through for easy threading and a narrow butt the end of the needle to avoid the painful experience of having to pull the last bit of the needle through the book signature. Come 10 minutes earlier to enjoy a cup of tea, browse through our sample books and explore our collection of books related to bookbinding and book arts. Jan 01, 2017 tutorial for the vintage needlebook created from a digital printable in my etsy store duration. Have you noticed how the sewing thread in my coptic bound books. Pull the thread through, leaving a 2 tail inside the folded pages. Double needle coptic stitch requires passing through each hole in the spine twice with a.
Bookbinding needles bookbinding tools 101 bookbinding. Bring the needle around and under the thread between the cover and the signature. Coptic bindings, the first true codices, are characterized by one or more sections of. The oldest known samples of single needle knitted clothing include the colorpatterned sandal socks of the coptic christians of egypt 4th century ce, and hats and shawls from the paracas and nazca cultures in peru, dated between 300 bc and 300 ad. The ethiopian coptic stitch dates back to the 4th century. Watch part 1 creating the cover here coptic stitch part 2. Double needle coptic bound book with painted papers 2 day. This book could be used for anything such as drawings, stories, poems, scrapbook, etc. 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. Use an awl that fits the size of the needle and thread you will use. This is a coptic stitch book i made recently using one of the handmade rose papers from junes paper club. Single and double needle coptic stitch binding tutorials youtube.
Create sketch books or journals for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones. A 2needle coptic binding uses 2 needles and 1 thread for each pair of stations. With this easy to follow coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial, binding your own book is easy and fun. Stack book covers and text block, spine away from you, in. However, working with 1 needle and 1 thread obviously has a much easier time than multiple threads and needles. Now with your thread on the outside of the signature, thread down through the hole of your outside cover, and then back into the hole you just came out of. The term is also used to describe modern bindings sewn in the same style. The coptic stitch is a decorative stitch, so its something that you would do only for a book with an open spine. Coptic binding with multiple needles sewing directions. Coptic binding or coptic sewing comprises methods of bookbinding developed by early christians in egypt, the copts, used from as early as the 2nd century ad to the 11th century. Sewing the pages together increases the durability of the book.
Double needle coptic bound book with painted papers saturday, may 30 from 11. It also showcases a clear view of the spine and the colorful threads holding the. Various forms of this stitching technique have remained popular. Mar 28, 2016 single needle coptic 2 i also found this alternate small c coptic binding in smiths exposed spine sewings.
In addition, this is followed by a condensed outline of the procedures. Journal paper, decorative papers and other materials to bind 1 hardbound coptic binding book and the usage of bookbinding tools during the workshop. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Bookbinding part 3 sewing the coptic binding the finished product. Jan 29, 20 coptic binding with multiple needles sewing directions. Simple bookbinding tutorial ibookbinding bookbinding. It is rather different than other copticish stitches that i.
Historically needles were made out of wood, antler or bone. Nov 03, 2016 coptic binding part 1 creating the cover. Various forms of this stitching technique have remained popular for over 1,500 years and are still in use today. Bring the needle to the outside of the book cover, and poke the needle up through the pierced hole in the cover, to the right of the thread. Coptic stitching is the most popular form of book binding. The simplest way of diy book binding that nobody will tell you schema eines buches artesanal. 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. Apr 19, 2017 watch part 1 creating the cover here coptic stitch part 2. The coptic stitch book will open flat for maximum use of the pages. Top 10 coptic stitch binding tutorials on the internet ibookbinding.
Today we will be learning how to make a nice book using coptic stitching. Coptic binding part 1 creating the cover handmade books. Lineco binders needles have a length thats easy to handle and a slightly blunted point to reduce snags. Theres no point in going to the trouble of sewing this stitch if youre just going to cover it up. If the holes are too large, the thread can shift side to side more.