Coptic Stitch
(The book above is currently available in my Etsy Shop)
This book is a coptic book made to look like a Japanese Stab binding. Because it was made as a wedding gift, I wanted it to open flat the way a coptic opens, but because the bride and groom had both spent time in Japan, I wanted to style it as a Japanese binding. The solution was to have Japanese-style stitching through the board as ornament, but not through the actual text block.
(The book is available for sale at my Etsy Shop)
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Lili's Bookbinding Blog 
your blog is beautiful!
I’m addicted to looking at pictures of your work,
I don’t know why I haven’t seen any of your stuff before, I feel silly for never asking, everyone said your books were brilliant.
Lindsey, you’re so nice! This is fun to be able to share photos with people.
You are so talented, I love looking at your work. I can have hours of fun trying to work out how you do some of these bindings :)
omg… your work is beautiful. is there any way you might be able to give me some tips on how to create one of those books?
Thank you! I might get some tutorials up eventually, but for now I’m unable to find the time. Sorry! :(
Excellent work–beautiful books that are a joy to examine. Congratulations. tjo
What creative, fun, beautiful work you do! Thank you for posting to the Book Arts list – – I’m inspired by your work.
OH MY LORD! You the bomb!…….Im jealous!.. i also do a ton of bookbinding.
These are absolutely stunning! I just recently got into bookbinding and find this to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing books around!
Excellent and beautifull work
regards,
Dirk from Belgium
Bookbinding Facebook Dirk Demeulenaere
çok güzel,very nice
WOW I love staring at your books. I found you by googling how to do coptic binding as I want to do it myself. Any tips on good site for guides on how to.
Your work is just SO gorgeous! I’m jealous – I want to start learning NOW!!!
congratulations from argentina!!! beautiful work!
Your blogs is FENOMENAL !!!. Congratulations from Costa Rica. Rafael Angel
Hi Lily!!
Your coptic binding variations on your leather books with the criss cross patterns dropped my jaw! They are STUNNING! I am binding a book right now and would love to achieve a similar effect, but after hours of staring I don’t feel like I’ve figured it out! Is the crisscrossing part of the stitching, or woven into it later on? Your help would be so much appreciated, it’s a very special book I’m making for someone:)
Pandora
Hi Pandora,
Yes, the criss-cross is part of the actual sewing. The Coptic stitch I used had one needle for each hole. When I came out of each (or every other, depending on how close you want the criss-crosses to be), I jumped over to the neighbor hole (to create the X). I wish I could be more specific, but it’s difficult to describe bookbinding procedures–it will only work if you’re using the traditional coptic stitch, and not simplified stitch…
good luck!
Hi Lily!
Thank you so much for the quick reply!
Is the simplified stitch the one needle stitch? On the inside of the book will there be two threads running the length between the holes? This type of visualization has never been my forte! Hahah! I’m sure I will figure it out with enough practice!
Pandora
what type of thread is good for coptic binding??
I typically use waxed linen thread. You can buy it from suppliers such as Talas. I prefer to remove most of the wax by ironing the thread between blotters first, so that the wax isn’t overbearing.
Hello Lili i am a amateur bookmaker and i wanted to let you know i have spent the past hour looking at your work and it is simply amazing. It has truly inspired me for my final project for my bookbinding class.
Rob,
Thank you so much for leaving a comment! I’m glad you were inspired, and I’m curious to know where you are studying? Good luck with your final!
I study at Marshall University In Huntington, WV.
Beautiful work! Do you have a suggestion for binding a number of coverweight pages together so that the spine looks at least as good as coptic stitching? Since I don’t have signatures, I can’t do coptic. I have six pieces of 6 x 6 bookbinding board. Thanks for any advice.
how do you do the Coptic stitch though?
I know this is kind of unusual but I have a novel that I have almost completed. I will have it online first before paper print. I have always desired for a book like those you have above in my library and I thought that maybe you could either help me figure out how to make my book like that (typed) or make one for me if I sent a copy of my novel to you.
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that
it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Many people will
be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Oh my gosh! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! Such an inspiration. I’m creating my first coptic stitch book, can’t wait! Thank you for showing us your work.
Wonderfull! Patricia Neri, Brasil
Beautiful work! I love the coptic stitch binding. And you’ve definitely added the artists touch!
Beautiful work!
inspirational!