My first attempt at hand-binding a notebook went sideways real fast

I was at my dining table in Portland trying to do a Coptic stitch binding, and my needle snapped halfway through the third signature. The thread got all tangled and I had to cut it out and start over with a #18 needle I bought at the craft store down the street. Has anyone else had luck with different needles for thick paper stacks?

3 comments

3 Comments

clairen851mo ago

Oh man, that sucks so bad. Did the needle snap clean or did it splinter off? I've been there with thick paper stacks, I swear it's like the paper fights back on purpose. I switched to using a curved upholstery needle from a sewing kit, it's way stronger and doesn't snap even when I'm punching through like 6 folios at once. The eye is a little bigger too so threading it isn't a nightmare. Hope your next go round goes smoother, nothing worse than having to cut out hours of work because of a stupid needle.

hart.sage1mo ago

Upholstery needle for bookbinding is genius actually, might try that myself.

nora_park1mo ago

@clairen85 curved ones also let you stitch closer to the spine without hurting your wrist, total game changer.