ray_williams•1mo agoProlific Poster

Decided to switch from glue to proper linen thread on my last project

Ive been using PVA for years on my bindings cause its fast and easy, but I finally tried sewing with linen thread for a 19th century reback. Took me twice as long but the spine feels way more solid now. Anyone else made the jump and stuck with it?

3 comments

3 Comments

gibson.morgan1mo ago

I get what you're saying about the spine feeling solid, but I gotta ask - is that really such a big deal? I mean, Ive been using PVA for like 8 years now and none of my books have fallen apart or anything. Theyre all holding up fine on my shelf. Seems like people get really into the "proper materials" thing but half the time its just about feeling fancy. I bet most people reading your book couldnt tell the difference if you used glue or thread. Unless youre making heirloom stuff that needs to last 200 years, PVA is probably fine for regular use.

aaron7401mo ago

Yeah but 8 years isn't that long for books.

jamief671mo ago

Honestly, I feel you on this. People can get so caught up in the "right way" to do things it makes you feel like your own work is somehow cheap or less than. Tbh, I've been using PVA for years too and my books are still together, no issues. It's like, unless you're planning on your book surviving a flood or being passed down to your grandkids' grandkids, it's probably fine for the real world. Ngl, that whole "proper materials" crowd can come off kinda snobby sometimes, like they're looking down on anyone who doesn't use linen thread and calfskin. I think most folks who grab a book off a shelf just care if the pages stay in and it opens smoothly, not what's holding it together.