![]() ![]() Supports also differ in the amount of adjustment that can be done after sewing, ie. Tapes produce the least swell, cords and thongs slightly more since the thread can overlap slightly inside the signature. This can be controlled, to produce naturally packed sewing, which has one length of thread on the cords for each signature.Ĩ. Packed sewing produces more swell due to a small overlap of thread. All-along produces the most swell, more “-on” sewing styles = less swell. Some binders like to visualize this by wrapping the thread around a pencil the same number of times as there are signatures.ħ. More leaves can absorb more thread = less swell. Swell can also be adjusted before sewing by beating or otherwise compressing the sections.ĥ. Washing and resizing can also affect how much swell develops. It is easier to control swell with softer paper. Guarding the spine will increase swell. Hard paper absorbs less thread = more swell. Soft paper absorbs more of the thread = less swell. Thin paper absorbs less thread = more swell.Ĥ. Thick paper absorbs more thread = less swell. ![]() Softer thread can fray more during sewing, though.ģ. Sometimes excessive kinking and twisting comes from using too small of a needle. Waxing thread also makes it harder, so I generally avoid it if possible. It is often advisable to untwist hard modern threads a bit to make them softer by running them through your fingernail and thumb, and let them relax. A compressible thread gives more control. Soft thread flattens in the signatures = less swell. ![]() Hard thread does not flatten in the signatures = more swell. Thin thread (or fewer plys) = less swell. Although not ideal, the thickness of thread can be changed during sewing if too much or too little swell develops.Ģ. Thick thread (or more plys) = more swell. There is no formula, instead these ten aspects need to be considered:ġ. Obviously, this is not an option for many binding structures. This makes it easier to fit a wider range of boards to a given swell. Many early binding structures-even up to the late 18th century-manipulate the shape of the boards to fit the spine, rather than the modern fine binding tendency to fit the boards to a 90 degree shoulder. ![]() If you are using standard threads, 25/3 is a reasonable starting place. I also prefer to support smaller, specialist bookbinding supply companies. Both can be deplyed if desired to make them thinner. Currently, I primarily use threads sold by Colophon Book Arts, including the Colophon Best Blake Thread and the Londonderry Linen Lacing Cord #4. Softer, multi-ply threads afford much more control of swell while sewing as compared to a hard modern thread. For example, if you are resewing an existing text block it is critical the new shoulders exactly fit the original boards. In all case binding structures, there is more leeway with amount of swell, and as long as it is not excessive it will be sucessful with bound books the tolerances are much tighter. Too little swell and there are insufficent shoulders which are necessary for some styles of binding. Too much swell creates a textblock that is unstable, squiggly, and difficult to back. #Text blocks for bookbinding how to#Knowing how to estimate the amount of swell that will develop is one of the most important aspects when planning to sew a book, since it corrolates to the degree of round and the shape of the shoulders that a book will end up with.ĭifferent binding styles need different amounts of swell. It depends on factors detailed below, but a binder or conservator generally does not have control over all these variables. In bookbinding, the term “swell” describes the thicker area of a book block at the spine due to the addition of sewing thread. ![]()
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