Place holder: under massive construction
For unbound music scores printed on single leaves of paper, that don’t have enough gutter (left margin) to make a either a folded-edge binding or to be glued into a signature. Do not use this binding on very regular copier paper sheets. Also, keep in mind this single-sheet binding is untested as to longevity, since it was invented (or possibly rediscovered) very recently.
1-Covers should be the same size as the score pages, since the binding is unsupported, and the pages will need to rest on the shelf at same level as the cover sheets.
2-Use clear book tape to strengthen the gutter edge (left margin) of the pages. Cut tape slightly larger than page length and place half over the front, press it down, then flip the page, smooth it down, then trim off the excess.
3-Figure out where the holes can be punched: check each page to make sure that no holes are close enough to the music to obscure or punch out any musical symbols.
4-Mark three holes on one of the covers, spaced evenly along the gutter, no more than 1 inch from the edge, but no less than 1/4 inch, and punch with an awl. Use the cover as a template to punch the remaining pages (about 3 at a time).
5-Estimate how much thread will be needed for each hole (station), wax the threads, and thread three curved needles.
6-Lay down the cover, holes towards you. Put the needle through each hole, from the inside (top) to outside (bottom), tighten the threads, and tie the threads together into a knot close to the inner hole. I usually tie two more knots in the same place, to be on the safe side. Repeat this for each station (hole).
7-Then, take the needle thru the cover, this time from the outside to inside, and exit to the left of the other threads.
8-There should be two loops visible on the outside of the cover.
9-Put the 1st page on top of the cover; and put the needle through the first page from the top, coming out between the first page and the cover. Exit to the left of the other threads.
10-Gently tighten the threads.
11-Take the needle between the first page and cover, exiting to the left of the threads. This is the locking stitch. Gently tighten the thread, then repeat step 9-11 for the next two stations.
12-Put the 2nd page on top, then put the needle through the hole from the top, exiting between the 1st and 2nd pages, and tighten the threads.
13-Then do the locking stitch, but once more, take the needle between the first page and the cover, right to left, and tighten the threads. Repeat for the next two stations, remembering to go between the first page and cover for the locking stitch.
14-Lay the 3rd page on top, and put the needle through the hole from the top, exiting between the 3rd and 2nd pages. For the locking stitch, go two pages down, and put the needle between the second page and first page, exiting to the left as usual. Remember to tighten the threads.
Repeat step 14 for the next two stations.
16. Continue the third page pattern for the rest of the score, putting each page on top, then sewing down thru each hole from the top, exiting between the current and previous page; then doing the locking stitch two pages down, right to left; while remembering to tighten each thread between each stitch.
17-You should start seeing a chain pattern forming at each station.
17-At the back cover, continue the same pattern, go thru the top, exiting between the cover and last page, then go down two pages and do the locking stitch. But then go thru the hole again, from the top to the inside (and stay there).
18-Open the cover and pull the thread tight.
19-Then tie a knot close to the hole, tie two more knots to completely secure it, and tighten all the knots.
20-Do the same for each station, then trim the ends.
21. There will be 2 loops showing on the back cover. Depending on the size of the thread, there will be a certain amount of swelling at the spine and gaps between the pages. For music scores, smaller threads will allow for easier music reading, but may be easier to break.
For our music scores, we will be adding cloth binding tape to the outside, covering the stitches visible from the outside.
22. We will be reinforcing the spine: cut a piece of binding tape to the same size as the height of the score. Next measure the full depth of the spine face without compressing it; this portion will be left unglued to form a hollow spine.
23. Glue each side (but not the hollow part), making sure not to get glue in the center. Press down tape on the front, then turn the score over and press down the back. The threads will form slight swellings at each station.
With the score still closed, press it under a book or two, until the binding glue has set.
Once, dry it should open completely flat, without any interference from the reinforced spine.
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