Japanese tissue, which
has very long fibres and is thin and strong, is torn to shape,
pasted lightly and applied to the torn edge so that the fibres
are just overlapping. Repairs are always completed before
the book is sewn.
SEWING
AND MARKING UP
The picture shows tape
of varying widths, two weights of hemp cord, and waxed linen sewing
thread.
When the book has been cleaned and
repaired it is put in a press and the sewing points are marked,
in this case for tapes. This is known as ‘marking up’.
Books are sewn together one section
at a time. This book is being sewn on tapes and the needle
is in position to make the final knot at the end of a section,
known as the ‘kettle’ stitch (from the German Ketel meaning ‘chain’).
Book backs showing different kinds
of sewing: on tapes, on sawn-in cords and on raised cords.
