TIL a trick for getting super clean headbands on tight back bindings

I was working on a leather journal last week and my headbands kept coming out lumpy, especially on the tight back. After three messy tries, I tried something different. I cut a thin strip of scrap leather the same width as the bands and glued it to the spine first, right where the headband sits. Then I sewed the actual headband over that strip. It gave the thread something solid to bite into and the bands turned out perfectly even. Has anyone else found a good way to handle headbands on books without a hollow back?

3 comments

3 Comments

susan_mason13d ago

Ever try using a shoelace instead?

kim1917d ago

Oh, a shoelace, @susan_mason? I tried that once and my book ended up looking like a kindergartner's art project. The waxed thread just behaves so much better for me, it doesn't slip around. I still have that lopsided notebook on my shelf as a humble reminder.

the_sam13d ago

Glue a strip of paper board to the spine first, then sew through that. The extra layer gives you a much cleaner anchor point than just mull or leather.