I did my first tacket binding today. I was inspired to give it a try by Dennis at Cai Lun. He gives a simple, straightforward explanation of how to do the basic stitch and cord packing. It was more time consuming than the Coptic binding I usually do, because I couldn’t just slap together bare board covers. The cord packing takes more time than a simple chain stitch, too, but it’s not at all difficult.
This is a super sturdy binding. It’s stiffer than a Coptic bound book, because there is almost no wiggle room. It opens flat, though, which is an absolute must for me. I really like the end product.
Since this was my first go at this type of binding, I made a few mistakes. Next time, I’ll mark the stitch lines on the outside of the spine with masking tape, to keep them even. I marked the inside, and tried my best to keep the stitches straight, but they’re a little ragged. I’ll also start further in from the cover. My outer two signatures are sewn too close to the edge, so the book wants to fan open. That will change, I think, as it settles and the denim spine relaxes a bit.
I think it would also be best sewn with thread, not twine. Hemp is super strong, and I love it, but I think the unevenness of it makes it a poor choice for packed cords.
Denim Book
tacket bound with hemp cords, denim cover, and star map end papers
8 x 5 3/4 inches
7 signatures of two sheets (28 pages) of 140lb Cartiera Magnani hot press watercolor paper
red paper boat 