Finally gave in and tried a sewing frame for bookbinding after years of doing it freehand

I’ve been binding books for about 5 years now and always thought sewing frames were a waste of space and money (you know, just extra clutter on my desk). But last week I borrowed a friend’s old wooden frame to try on a tricky text block with thick signatures and it made keeping the tension even so much easier. The difference was night and day - my sewing lines came out straight for the first time without me constantly adjusting the thread. Has anyone else held out on a tool for ages only to find it makes a big difference?

2 comments

2 Comments

wood.zara12d ago

Tried the same thing with a bone folder after years of using my fingers, total game changer for crisp creases.

jake_dixon12d ago

Laughing at myself a bit here because I went the other way. Bought a really nice frame years ago, used it maybe twice, and went right back to freehand. Found it slowed me down and I actually like the slight imperfections you get without it.