Everyone insists on long presses, but I get clean spines with just thirty minutes under weight... it really speeds things up.
If you store your materials in a humid spot, mold can grow fast. I lost a whole roll of linen bookcloth because I didn't use a dehumidifier, lol.
Always used polyester thread for my bindings. Thought it was stronger and easier. Went to a museum in Edinburgh last fall. They had prayer books from the 1200s on display. The linen thread stitching was still perfect after all that time. Changed my mind completely. Now I only use linen for my personal projects.
I hate when the glue dries unevenly and ruins the surface.
I've used glue for bookbinding for years. Purists always push sewing, but my glued books are strong. Why is adhesive so frowned upon?
I applied gold leaf to the pages of a handmade book, but it's flaking off. In my experience, this might be due to humidity, but I'm not sure. Your mileage may vary, so any tips would help.
I was so excited to talk about my latest project, but she had no idea what I was saying. It showed me how niche this craft can be.