Secret Belgian Binding Instructions

The Secret Belgian Binding
These instructions show you how to bind a book with an interesting

pattern of weaving which laces the front and back covers to the
spine. Included is the sewing of the text block (a set of four
signatures) which is attached to the inside spine of the cover.
The secret is in the weave of the cover and in attaching the text
block. It is not difficult to do but requires patience in getting the
threads taut so that the book does not wobble.
Hedi Kyle rediscovered this binding attributed to the Belgians and

she solved the mystery of how to make it.
The materials and tools needed are as follows:

decorative paper to cover the mat board covers and spine
colored waxed thread or embroidery cotton
16 sheets of text weight paper to make up the signatures
a metal edged ruler
Xacto knife and blades
scissors
pencil
bone folder
carpet thread
sewing needles
white glue
brush for gluing
masking tape
2 clothes clips
an awl
Secret Belgian Binding Instructions

Cut two covers out of mat board 4x5-3/4", and one piece 5/8x5-
3/4", for the spine. Cover and line each piece with solid or
decorative paper.
Cut 2 thirty-inch lengths of thread for weaving together the covers

and spine. The second length will be attached with a square knot
on the inside of the spine when needed.
Fig. 1 represents the outside of the

cover. With an awl punch holes that are
5/8" apart and 5/8" from the spine edge.
To hold the spine and covers
in place while weaving, place
masking tape at the top and
bottom as shown below.
There should be 1/16" space

between the spine and covers.
It is best to test the masking

tape to be sure it can be
removed without pulling the paper with it. Always remove it carefully
to prevent it from tearing the paper. After weaving a few rows, the
top masking tape may be removed.
Thread the thirty-inch length of the thread onto a needle. With the
cover design facing, start on the other side of the front cover (Fig.2)
and bring the thread through the top hole. Leave 2" of the thread
and secure it with masking tape. It will later be tied into a knot.
Weave the thread over the front cover and under the spine, then
over the back cover into the top hole. Turn over and check that the
thread is pulled taut but leave the 1/16"space between the covers
and the spine. Weave the thread back under the back cover, (Fig.
3) over the spine and into the back of the hole of the front cover.
Keep turning the cover to make sure the thread is not loose.
Weave back (Fig. 4) under the spine and into the top hole of the
back cover.
Knot the thread at the end of the cover on the other side, as shown
above.
Bring the threaded needle down the back to the second hole in the
back cover. (Fig. 5)
Continue weaving as in Fig. 2, 3, and 4. Knot the end.
The Textblock
Cut 16 sheets of paper 5-1/2" x 7-3/4"
Separate into 4 stacks of 4 sheets each.
Fold each stack in half and bone the crease with a bone folder.
Each stack is called a signature.
Place the 4 signatures on top of one another
Mark the sewing guide on the folded edges.
The first and last marks are 1/2" from the edges.
The rest are 5/8" apart to match the weaving on the cover.
Insert the needle into the first hole of the first the signature. Leave a
2" tail:
Open the signature. Use a clothes clip to hold the signature in place
while sewing:
Lay the signature on the left side and weave in and out catching the
lacing on the inner spine as it is sewn across the signature:
At the end of the first signature insert the needle into the second
signature as shown below. Weave in and out of the holes catching
the lacing in the spine as before. At the end of the second signature
tie the thread to the 2" tail with a square knot. Continue sewing into
the third signature in the same manner. At the end of the third
signature the thread must be fastened to the second signature or
there will be a gap. Do this by making a kettle stitch into the second
signature before entering the fourth signature. At the end of the
fourth signature do the same. Be sure all threads sewn from the
text block to the spine are taut before securing the last stitch with a
kettle stitch knot.
The Secret Belgian Binding is no longer a

secret
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The Secret Belgian Binding

These instructions show you how to bind a book with an interesting

Hedi Kyle rediscovered this binding attributed to the Belgians and

The materials and tools needed are as follows:

Secret Belgian Binding Instructions

Cut 2 thirty-inch lengths of thread for weaving together the covers

Fig. 1 represents the outside of the

There should be 1/16" space

It is best to test the masking

Continue weaving as in Fig. 2, 3, and 4. Knot the end.

The Secret Belgian Binding is no longer a

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