Sewing Frame
An upright frame that holds the sewing cords under tension while the sections go on.
| Height | 400–600 mm |
| Width | 300–500 mm |
| Cord positions | Adjustable, typically 3–5 |
| Cord | Linen or hemp, 1.0–2.0 mm |
| Tapes | Linen, 6–12 mm wide |
| Tension | Adjustable per cord at the base |
| Base | Weighted or clamped to the bench |
| Material | Hardwood, or steel on larger frames |
| Height | 400–600 mm |
| Cord count | 3–5 for an octavo |
| Cord spacing | Evenly from head to tail, inset about 20 mm |
| Suitable stock | All paper sections |
| Processes | Sewing on cords, sewing on tapes, long stitch |
| Compatible materials | Linen cord, linen tape, thread |
| Squareness | Frame must be square or every section goes on skewed |
| Setup time | 5–10 minutes to string and tension |
There is a simulator for this. Bindery Simulator runs the same relationships in 3D, so you can change a number and watch what it does to the result.
A sewing frame is a rectangular upright with a crossbar at the top. Cords or tapes are stretched from the crossbar down to the base and tensioned; the sections are then sewn onto them, one after another, and the cords become the spine supports that hold the text block to the boards.
The frame does two things. It keeps the cords at a constant tension so the sections are all sewn equally, and it holds the work at a comfortable height so both hands are free. Sewing onto cords without a frame is possible, and it is the reason so many first bindings are out of square.
Safety
Using it well
- Set the cord positions from the book, not from the frame. Mark the stations on a template and transfer them, so every book you bind is consistent.
- Tension the cords by plucking them. They should sound the same note. Uneven tension is what makes a text block lean.
- Leave 80 mm of cord above the top section. You need that length to lace into the boards.
What it works with
Papers and substrates
- All paper sections
Type and fonts
- Not applicable
Processes
- Sewing on cords
- Sewing on tapes
- Long stitch
- Case binding
Tools that go with the sewing frame
Needle & Thread
A blunt-tipped needle and waxed linen thread: the joint that holds a book together.
Awl
A sharpened spike for piercing the sewing stations through a folded section.
Book Press
A screw press that holds a text block flat under pressure while the glue dries.