Sewing books is very simple, but somewhat difficult to describe clearly. The amateur should endeavor to obtain some practical instruction in the art. The sewing press and keys are illustrated by Figs. 4 to 10, the other requisites are cord for the bands, thread, needles, and a couple of folding-sticks. The cross-bar of the press hav­ing been screwed up to the proper height, the re­quired number of loops of string are fastened round it. To each of the loops a length of cord is attached by a bow knot that can readily be untied, and the other end of the cord then is wound round a key, which is pushed lengthwise through a long slot in the front of the bed of the sewing press, and then turned crosswise to it below, so as to remain in that position. The bands are adjusted to correspond with the saw kerfs in the back of the book, and the cross-bar of the sewing press is screwed up by turn­ing the wooden nuts on each screw until the bands are taut. The press is placed on the edge of a bench of suitable height, and the sewer sits before it in such a position that the left arm rests on the bed of the press (see Fig. 33).

Bookbinders' thread, which must be of good quality, is supplied by the dealers in bookbinders' materials, as are also the needles. If only one book is to be sewn it will be found convenient to raise it from the bed of the press by placing another book under it. It is, of course, a saving of time in the preparation of the work to sew at one sitting as many books as the press will hold. The first and the last sections of a book should be overcast, this being generally done with fine cotton. The sewer lifts the first section of the book from the pile of sawn sheets on the bench. This will be the title sheet (con­sisting of the title page and contents), is placed face downward on the bed of the press so that the several cords enter their respective saw chan­nels. The head of the book is at the sewer's right hand. The needle is passed into the saw cut for the kettle stitch at the tail of the book, then passed along the middle of the section and out at the near side of the first cord. The needle next enters on the farther side of the cord, passes along the middle of the section to the centre cord, and out on the near side. The needle again enters on the farther side of this cord, passes along the middle of the section to the third or top band, and is brought out on the near side. The needle is then inserted on the farther side of this cord, passes along the middle of the section, and comes out at the side of the kerf made for the top kettle stitch. The thread now runs along the centre of the section from kettle stitch to kettle stitch, except where the cords occur, where it passes round the outside of them. It is obvious that by this process the sheet is securely attached to the bands or cords. The thread is now drawn tight and smooth, about 1 in. of the end being left protruding from the lower kettle stitch. The second sheet of the book (which will be signa­ture B if the first section had a signature, otherwise it will be signature A) is laid face downward upon the first sheet. The needle is inserted at the top kettle stitch, and the sewing is done in the same way as with the first sheet, except that the needle travels towards instead of from the sewer. Having brought the needle out of the opening for the lower kettle stitch and pulled the thread tightly along the section, the slack of the thread is firmly knotted to the end thread left hanging from the kettle stitch, the knot being made twice for greater security.

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