Coptic binding involves binding a book with an open spine. 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. The 6th part of our bookbinding series on how to craft a book from scratch. Altered books book binding handwriting fonts book art. Today, we aim to take a look at the types of paper used in bookbinding. Paper bookbinding material 101 bookbinding workshop. Starting on the left hand side of the signature, poke the needle into the first hole in the signature, from the inside going out. Hand bound copy of rudyard kiplings just so stories album in the comments. But in a stabbound book, you can use scraps of different weights, textures and colors as. I think its a great method for when you have book covers that. In this workshop youll learn the basic tools used in bookbinding and the step by step process of making a hard cover coptic stitch book. 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.
There are several ways you can bind books, or make your own books, by hand. A signature is a compilation of two or more loose folios. Aug 09, 2010 the most common type of sewn bookbinding that i often default to, falls into the category of longstitch binding. The course will cover the nittygritty details of taking raw materials and forming them. Cut 6 of waxed linen thread, and thread the bookbinding needle. A coptic stitch style binding also often referred to as a chain stitch binding is one that doesnt use any glues and where the signature stitchings are generally exposed or left completely open thus allowing flexibility without sacrificing strength. They involve different kinds of techniques and tools some use glue, others use thread, and other still a combination of both but youll have a lot of fun creating these unique, practical items to give as gifts, or to use at home. Last year i learned the coptic book binding stitch. This stepbystep tutorial shows you exactly how to bind your own journal and create. Place the back cover on the worktable facedown with 1 paper signature on top of it, all holes lined up and facing you.
The copts were known to use pasteboard made from papyrus or lush, red leather as cover materials peterson, 4146. Handmade book shaped like bone folder so creative and nicely done. Top 10 coptic stitch binding tutorials on the internet. They run an unplugged wood shop creating handbound wood covered books, determined to support their travels by giving others a uniquely handcrafted medium for their self expression. Because it was made as a wedding gift, i wanted it to open flat the way a. Make your very own blank coptic stitch handbound book. Take your time when making the initial folds and markings on the signatures and cover boards. The second technique is the coptic stitch, which is a little more advanced and is ideal for those who have some experience with basic bookbinding and would like to learn something new and more.
Coptic bindings, the first true codices, are characterized by one or more sections of. Youd never believe how easy it is to create and bind your own book. This book is a coptic book made to look like a japanese stab binding. Paper bookbinding material 101 bookbinding workshop singapore. Sewing stitching the book ibookbinding bookbinding. Handmade notebooks and journals, bound in the coptic tradition, are popular items on the craft site fig 6.
Longstitch bookbinding tutorial for a leather journal. Coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial the easy way with images. Design your own custom journal japanese washi hand bound coptic stitch dotted notebook bullet journal. They involve different kinds of techniques and tools some. Coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial the easy way tortagialla. 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.
This hard cover book has been created using traditional bookbinding methods. See more ideas about book binding, book making and handmade books. They run an unplugged wood shop creating hand bound wood covered books, determined to support their travels by giving others a uniquely handcrafted medium for their self expression. 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. In this online class we will learn the techniques and process of making a oneofakind handmade coptic stitch notebook. Nov 12, 2007 generally that made everything really difficult and i dont recommend it. 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. I hand cut all 27 signatures just a bit timeintensive. Coptic stitch bookbinding with jillian barthold souwester.
Nov 15, 2018 decorative stitching for binding books resulting in beautiful, fun and unique spines. This is an ancient binding technique used by the copts in egypt as early as the 2nd century ad a nd is characterized by sections or signatures attached to each other with a series of linked chain stitches across the spine. Stitching the first signature take a piece of thread that is almost 30 inches in length. A little history of the chain stitch early multisection coptic codices dating from the 2nd century ad, the copts used a chain stitch to bind multisection books. Originally used by the early christians in egypt the copts some 2000 years ago, the coptic bound book is characterized by its strength and attractive chainlink stiches across the spine. Online is a wonderful place to learn new skills, including bookbinding but it.
Coptic stitch binding is one of the earliest forms of bookbinding and is sewn with thread leaving an exposed spine. The term may be adaption of catchup stitch, or kettel stitch the stitch that forms a little chain. 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. This post is part of our bookbinding materials series, you can read the previous article about bookbinding threads, or get the full list of articles at the bookbinding resources page. Thorough, detailed instructions, with over 270 helpful illustrations by. With this easy to follow coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial, binding your own book is easy and fun. How to make a sketchbook diy coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial. This is an ancient binding technique used by the copts in egypt as early as the 2nd century ad a nd is. Coptic bookbinding class pdf and video link pagebypaige. 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 sometimes left as a stack of individual sheets. Let us see some of the hand bookbinding techniques that are common today. I have left the spine exposed the book can be secured with white elastic. In this tutorial, ill show you how to coptic stitch.
You might have seen these types of handbound journals around, because of the exposed stitching in the spine area. I summarized some historical information about chain stitch bindings like coptic and ethiopian bindings, for the bookbinding etsy street team blog. You will learn bookbinding basics, understand paper grain, and get acquainted with bookbinding tools. If your book is thick, you may need to use an additional piece of thread, which will be. During this workshop, youll personalize and stitch your very own wood covered book. When sewing your books and journals using this stitch, all the signatures are bound together using one long length of thread so its best to use waxed thread which will help to prevent the thread from knotting and tangling. Mar 18, 2019 make a hand bound journal using wood covers and the coptic stitch with book artist, tracy bellehumeur. I wanted to take a live class but couldnt find one locally, so i turned to the internet. This is sewn with four needles using an ethiopian chain stitch binding. Coptic stitch is a decorative stitch that looks like chain stitch. Altered book with coptic binding hand drawn fonts, book making, altered books, book. Coptic binding tutorial bookbinding workshop singapore. Its really a general categorization for many different methods of sewn binding.
Create a stunning combination coptic longstitch archival book. It also showcases a clear view of the spine and the colorful threads holding the. Coptic stitch journal with wood covers make a handbound journal using wood covers and the coptic stitch with book artist, tracy bellehumeur. A little history of the chain stitch bookbinding blog. In its pages, craftspeople can learn the traditional methods of bookbinding and produce highquality hand bound books themselves. How to make a leather journal book binding tutorial. In its pages, craftspeople can learn the traditional methods of bookbinding and produce highquality handbound books themselves. It also showcases a clear view of the spine and the colorful threads holding the signatures page groupings together. Coptic stitch binding there are many versions of the coptic stitch binding. Handmade book shaped like bone folder so creative and nicely. Coptic stitch bookbinding byob bookbinding classes new. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Starting on the lefthand side of the signature, poke the needle into the first hole in the signature, from the inside going out. A detailed tutorial on how to make a soft, leather covered coptic book.
Coptic stitching is the most popular form of book binding. The book above is currently available in my etsy shop. The history of coptic bookbinding erica crane from tablet to. For a clearer, stepbystep focus on just the coptic stitch binding itself. People have invented their own patterns and techniques and have probably called it something else as well. We are open to discussions, sharing of ideas and techniques, general binding chatter and more. Bookbinding in medieval china replaced traditional chinese writing supports such as bamboo and wooden slips, as well as silk and paper scrolls. Sometimes its also called chain stitch in bookbinding, but more often its called coptic stitch binding. Nov 03, 2016 coptic stitch binding there are many versions of the coptic stitch binding. 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. 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. Create sketch books or journals for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones. Thorough, detailed instructions, with over 270 helpful illustrations by the author, cover materials, tools, and equipment including making your own. Bookbinding by hand started thousands of years ago.
Coptic stitch bookbinding with jillian barthold sou. There are three basic variations of the pamphlet stitch. The pattern obviously different compare than coptic stitch and it needs cotton tape, satin. Coptic binding caterpillars brown covers bookbinding. Bookbinding is technique in which several pages are stacked together to form one readable document.
In the first session of this class, participants will. Diy coptic stitch bookbinding tutorial sea lemon youtube. The open spine concept also allows bookbinders to be able to customize and add a personal touch to their books. Coptic book binding samples handstitched binding with the books spine exposed. Originally used by the early christians in egypt the copts some 2000 years ago, the coptic bound book is characterized by its strength and attractive chainlink stiches. Used in egypt as early as the 2nd century ad, coptic bindings feature chain stitch links across the spine to attach sections of folded paper to a hard cover.
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