...
This is an experimental binding for unbound music scores printed on single leaves of strong paper or card with not enough margin to make a either a good folded-edge binding, or to be glued/taped into a signature. This is not a good binding for thin, flexible unbound sheets (i.e. normal copier/printer paper) --although two taped/glued together sheets of copier/printer paper seems strong enough. (See, also Smith’s sewing single sheets.) This simplified binding has some swelling at the spine from the stitches double loops; so I use lighter weight linen thread to minimize it.
...
Supplies: 3 curved (recommended) or straight binder needles; light-weight linen binder thread (thinner than pamphlet binding thread), beeswax and card-weight paper or pamphlet board to cut for covers; and Jade or other bookbinder acid-free PVA glue; card-weight paper or pamphlet board for covers; clear binder tape; cloth binder tape.
...
Pros:
Opens flat for playing music
No gutter for music symbols to disappear within
Pages won’t be lost as easily as unbound sheets of paper
If one thread breaks, the other 2 threads will still keep the score together
...
1-Cut two covers to the same size as the score pages, since this binding is unsupported. (The pages will need to rest on the shelf along with the cover boards.) If score will be housed in a pocket of pamphlet binder or a folder (recommended), use card-weight paper; otherwise, use pamphlet board.
...
2-Use archival clear book tape to strengthen the gutter edge were the binding will attach (left or right margin) of the pages (but do not tape the two covers). Cut tape slightly larger than page length and place half over the front, press it down, flip the page over, smooth out bubbles & ripples with a bone folder, then trim off the excess tape on each side.
...
3-Figure out Select where to pierce the holes can be made: no more than 1 inch from the spine edge or top/bottom, but no less than 1/8 inch,: check each page to make sure that no holes will be obscuring or taking out any musical notes, clefs, staffs, keys, and miscellaneous music symbols.
...
5-Estimate how much thread will be needed for each hole (station): I’ve been adding measuring out 1 inch per page in the score (and count both covers too). You will need to measure out three threads; one for each needle.
...
I like to set the remaining pages stacked on end, so I simply have to flip them down to the table top (without worrying about getting them out of order - or upside downwrong side up.
...
7-Start with the cover, holes towards you, at the edge of a table. From the inside (or the side currently facing up), put the needle through the first hole to the outside (bottom) of cover; tighten the threads (gently), and tie the threads together into a knot close to the inner hole. I usually tie 1 or 2 more knots in the same place, for extra security. Repeat this step for the next 2 stations.
...
12. Continue the third page pattern for the rest of the score, putting each page on top, then inserting down the needle thru each hole from the top to bottom of page, exiting between the current and previous page; then doing the locking stitch two pages down, right to left; tightening each thread between each stitch.
...
You should start seeing a chain pattern forming at each station.
...
13.-Finally, when When you reach the back cover, again, :
a-go Go thru the top of the back cover as usual, exiting between the cover and last page, go down two pages to and do the locking stitch exiting to the left; but to finish the sewingthen: run the needle thru the hole from the top of the cover to the inside of the cover and last page (and stay there).
...
b-Open the cover and pull the thread tight (gently).
...
c-Then tie a knot close to the hole in the cover, and tie one -to two more knots to completely secure it, and tighten all the knots. Do the same for the next two stations, then trim the ends.
...
a. Measure the thickness of the spine without compressing it.
...
b-Cut a piece of cloth binding tape to the same size as the height of the score. Next, mark the spine thickness in the center of the tape; this portion will be left unglued to form a hollow spine.
...
c-Put wax paper under the score. Spread PVC PVA glue on one side of the tape (but not the spine part); try not to get glue in the center. Insert wax paper between the cover and the first page, then press down tape on the front with the score closed, then once the glue is slightly set, turn the score over and spread glue on the other side of the tape, then insert wax paper between the cover & last page, and press down the tape to the back cover. The station threads may form slight swellings.
...