How To Repair A Books Binding

We all have books that have worn out over tim. This can be due to lots of use or the books are just old. One thing that happens is the binding can go. Now you could take you book to a professional book binder but why pay someone when you can fix it yourself. This hub has some tips for repairing a books binding.

Set up a well lit workspace with your supplies handy.

Re-sew or re-glue any loose signatures or pages before attempting to reattach the cover.

Signatures are pages that are folded together; the folded ends of signatures are sewn together. Use double thickness of the waxed thread or quilting thread and tie off the knot firmly to avoid future re-loosening when re-sewing signatures.

If a signature has torn out of its threading, you can place a narrow strip of tyvek tape along the crease of the center leaf of the signature to repair/strengthen it for your repair sewing.

Apply a layer of plastic glue along the spine edge of your signatures once they are all re-sewn or reglued in place. This will dry to a flexible finish and will help prevent future loosening.

Cut a length of your single stitched binder tape equal to the height of the book.

Apply one side of your single stitched binder tape with the sewn center line aligned along the spine edge of your pages and firmly press onto both the back of spine and onto the front pages with your "bone".

Attach the remaining "top" layer of single stitched binder tape to the inside of the back cover and to the inner side of the spine.

Press single stitched binder tape firmly to eliminate bubbles and to ensure good adhesion.

Repeat the process for the other spine edge, in this case, the front edge. (Illustrations show the author replacing TWO torn hinges for a book whose cover had completely separated from the contents.)

Clear tape the spine, leaving a 1.5 inch overlap for the gutter and cover. Press tape firmly onto spine.

Press the tape over the edge of the spine and firmly into the gutters for good adhesion and future mobility.

Smooth any remaining width of clear tape out across the front cover, eliminating bubbles and pressing firmly for good adhesion.

Apply your rubber bands or book press to hold everything in place while the glue is drying.

Remove book from press or rubber bands and you now have a re-attached cover.

Complete any additional mending, such as corner and spine reinforcement, gluing or taping in missing pages, etc.

Sit back and let out a satisfied sigh.