Although these instructions call for an even number of signatures, they do work for any. We will sew from the last signature to the first one, starting from the tail. Align the last signature with the inside of the case. Thread the needle with a linen thread that is about 5 times the height of the signatures, or longer if you are comfortable with handling a longer thread.


1. Start from the inside of the first signature, thread out though the button-hole.
2. Pull the thread across the spine towards the tail.
3. Wrap it back into the signature towards first hole (station A).
4. Tighten and tie a square knot, trim excess thread.
5. Continue along the sewing direction, pull the thread out at the 2nd hole (station B).
6. Go across the spine, back into the signature through the next hole (station C).
7. Thread out through the last hole (station D). Pull the thread tight along the sewing direction.


8. Wrap the thread back from the spine towards the inside of the first signature at the head.
9. Thread out through station D. Tighten this loop you just created.


10. Place the next signature on top of the previous one with the stations aligned. Climb up and thread in through station D of this new signature.
11. Pull the thread out through the head inside the signature; wrap it back over the spine.


12. Thread back into the new signature through station D.
13. Following the sewing direction, continue sewing in and out through the rest of the stations: C, B and then A.
14. Continue towards the tail after station A, and;
15. Wrap the thread back inside the signature, and thread out through station A, tighten the thread.


16. Position the next signature, climb up and thread in through station A of this new signature.
17. Pull the thread out through the tail.


18. Wrap the thread across the spine, towards station A, thread into station A. Continue sewing in and out through the rest of the stations: B, C and then D.
19. Wrap the thread around the spine and pull it back out through station D. Tighten the thread.


20. Position the next signature, climb up and thread in though station D.
21. Pull the thread out towards the head.
22. Wrap it back across the spine, insert the thread back into station A.
23. Continuing sewing in and out through C, B and then A. Pull thread out through station A.
24. Wrap it back into the signature, around the tail, tighten thread.
25. If this is the last signature, tie a square knot between the loose end and the existing thread. Otherwise, climb up to the next signature and continue onto step 16.

Each climbing-up happens at the end/last stations, not at the head or tail. You can see how the stitches climb up in the close-up picture on the right. It's very important that you tighten the thread along the signature before you wrap it back across the tail and head of the spine. The key is to wrap every head and tail of each signature. You can easily see if you have missed any signatures by checking them at the head and tail.