SEWING 1

WITH KETTLE STITCHES. FOR CSB BASIC, CSB PROTECTIVE, CSB MARCOPOLO AND CSB HIDDEN

This is the commonest kind of sewing and the first that the majority of us learned how to make, as it can be used for many different bindings. The thing to be careful about, if you are a beginner, is never to pull the thread in the opposite direction to the direction in which you are sewing, because it is quite easy to tear the paper. Try to be as even as possible and do the stitches neither too tight nor too loose. It all comes with practice. After 500 books it will be almost perfect!

Sewing 1
Follow the direction of the red thread, then compare the image with your finished sewing.

First section
The thread goes into the first hole on the right (kettle stitch hole), and then travels left, passing out and in the section and over the straps until the left end is reached. It comes out at the kettle stitch hole on the left and goes up into the next section.

Second section
The thread goes inside the kettle stitch hole on the left, then it goes to the right, out and in all along. It goes out at the right hand kettle stitch hole. Before going up to the third section a knot is tied with the tail of the starting thread which is hanging from the first section.

Third section
The thread goes inside the kettle stitch hole on the right and then it goes to the left, out and in all along. It goes out at the kettle stitch hole on the left. Before going up to the next section a kettle stitch is made by slipping the needle under the section which is below the one which you have just sewn on; slip the needle behind the thread which links it to the section below that, and loop the thread over the needle as it emerges from between the sections. Tighten the thread by tugging it upwards. NB The needle must always be slipped behind the thread in the same direction as the direction in which you are sewing (usually outwards, towards the edge of the book-block).
From this point the sewing goes on in the same way, making kettle stitches at each section before going up to the next one.

SEWINGS 2 and 3

WITH HEAD AND TAIL SEWN STRAPS. FOR CSB BASIC AND CSB PROTECTIVE

Sewing 2
Follow the direction of the red thread, then compare the image with your finished sewing.

First section
The thread goes into the first hole on the right, close to the right-hand end strap, comes out at the end of the section, passes over the top of the section encircling the strap and goes back into the same hole as before (each time you go back through the same hole, be careful not to go through the thread when inserting the needle).
The thread then travels left, passing out and in the section and over the other straps until the end strap is reached. The thread comes out before the last strap, passes over the top of the section to encircle the strap and emerges through the same hole. The second section is laid in place.

Second section
The thread goes into the first hole on the left, close to the left-hand end strap. Comes out at the end of the section, passes over the top of the section, encircling the strap and goes back into the same hole as before. The thread goes to the right, out and in all along. It goes out at the last hole and out again after encircling the right-hand strap.
Before going up to the third section a knot is tied with the tail of the starting thread which is hanging from the first section.

Third section
The thread goes into the first hole on the right, close to the right-hand strap, encircles the strap, goes back into the same hole as before, and goes out and in to the left.
The thread comes out before the last strap, goes over it, goes back into the section and comes out at the same hole. Before going up to the next section a kettle stitch is made by slipping the needle under the thread you have just sewn around the strap and also catching up the thread at the same point in the section below the one which you have just sewn on. The needle then goes back up and under the thread that emerges from the upper section, making a loop. (NB The needle must be slipped outwards, towards the edge of the book-block).
Tighten the thread by tugging it upwards to make the characteristic pattern that you can see in the image above.
From this point the sewing goes on in the same way, making kettle stitches at each section before going up to the one above.

Sewing 3
Follow the direction of the red thread, then compare the image with your finished sewing.

SEWING 4

WITH KETTLE STITCHES ON THE FIRST AND LAST STRAPS - FOR CSB LINKED AND CSB SOLO

The first and last straps of sewing 5 are situated approximately 6mm from each end of the section (depending on the book's dimension). The kettle stitches are made inside the last strap at each end.

Sewing 4
Follow the direction of the red thread, then compare the image with your finished sewing.

First section
The thread goes in at the second hole on the right, close to the right-hand strap, comes out at the first hole, encircles the strap and goes back into the same hole as before (each time you go back through the same hole, be careful not to go through the thread when inserting the needle).
The thread then travels left, passing out and in the section and over the other straps until it goes out before the last strap. It goes in at the last hole, encircles the strap and comes out through the same hole as before. The second section is laid in place.

Second section
The thread goes inside the second hole on the left, goes out at the first hole, encircles the strap and goes back into the same hole as before. The thread goes to the right, out and in all along. It goes out at the last but one hole on the right, then goes in at the last encircling the right-hand strap and out again through the same hole as before. Before going up to the third section a knot is tied with the tail of the starting thread which is hanging from the first section.

Third section
The thread goes into the second hole on the right, close to the right-hand strap, comes out at the first hole and goes back into the same hole as before, encircling the strap. The thread then travels left, passing out and in the section and over the other straps until the last strap is reached.
The thread comes out before the last strap, goes over it, goes back into the section and comes out at the same hole. Before going up to the next section a kettle stitch is made by slipping the needle under the thread you have just sewn around the strap and also catching up the thread at the same point in the section below the one which you have just sewn on. The needle then goes back up and under the thread that emerges from the upper section, making a loop. (NB The needle must be slipped outwards, towards the edge of the book-block).
Tighten the thread by tugging it upwards to make the characteristic pattern that you can see in the image above.
From this point the sewing goes on in the same way, making kettle stitches at each section before going up to the one above.

SEWING 5

UNCONNECTED SECTION SEWING. FOR CSB EXPANDER

The sewing
Follow the direction of the red thread, then compare the image with your finished sewing.

All sections are alike
Sewing n.5 starts in the middle of the section. The thread goes out through the last but one hole on the right, encircles the strap and goes back inside at the last hole. A knot is tied with the tail of the starting thread inside the section, close to the second hole. The thread then travels left, passing out and in the section and over the other straps until it goes out before the last strap on the left side. It encircles the strap and goes back in through the last hole on the left. A knot is tied inside the section near the second hole.
This sewing is symmetric and you may choose to begin either end of the section.

To see the fixing of the covers to the sewing frame, go to A sewing frame in the index.