Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/318

the thumbs and fingers and carefully lower it between the jaws of the press. Now hold the book with the left hand, and, using a wrench with the right hand, clamp the jaws of the press against the press boards.

Fig. 3. The sewing frame

Mark five lines across the back of the book in the relative positions shown in Fig. 3, using a pencil and a try square. If a try square is not at hand, a squared piece of card board may be used.

Guided by these lines, make five saw cuts into the book. The depth of these cuts should be 1-16 inch or less, or just sufficient to show when the sections are again opened. A miter box or "back" saw is best for sawing the two-cuts nearest the ends but a wider saw may be used for making the three central cuts. After sawing, the book is removed from the press.

Tie three strong cords to the rods of the sewing frame as in Fig. 3. These cords must be long enough to project about 1½ inch on each side beyond the edge of the book after it is taken from the sewing frame. Cords may be made of strong linen threads folded and twisted together several times. Usually the operator sits in front of the sewing frame, but it is best to sit at the end of the frame, since one can, in this position, see the inside as well as the back of the sections and the arm has more freedom when sewing with long threads.

The upper halves of the sections may be opened and fastened to the upper rod by means of spring clothes pins, so that the center of the sections will be visible and the leaves will be kept out of the way while sewing.

Place a section of the folded end papers upon the sewing frame and slide the cords B, C, D, upon the rods until their position corresponds with the three central saw cuts. The right size of thread to use for sewing will vary with the size of the book and the number of sections it is to contain. For six numbers of magazines No. 25 linen will be about the right size. It is best to use unbleached thread. The method of sewing is shown in Fig. 4, B, C, D, representing the cords that are tied to the sewing frame and the fine line S, the sewing thread.

With the right hand, pass the threaded needle in at the end saw cut E, receive the needle with the left hand and pass it out at the next saw cut. Carry the thread around D and in again at the same cut. Sew around the cords C and B in the same way. Pass the needle out at A, draw the thread out until about two inches are left projecting at S. Lay the title page section of the book or magazine face downward upon the end papers already sewn.

Pass the needle in at catch stitch mark A of this section, sew around B, C, B, and pass the needle out at E and draw the thread down with fairly strong tension, looking to see that it lies straight within the section. The thread should now be tied to the projecting thread S of the previously sewn section. Proceed in like manner to sew all the sections to the cords. When the needle has been drawn out at A, after sewing the third section, it is passed between the first and second sections, back of the connecting thread, Fig. 4, the thread drawn out, the needle passed upward through the loop of thread and the thread drawn down with good tension; but the ends of the sections must not be drawn too tightly together or the middle of the back will appear swollen and will be somewhat inflexible. As the sewing progresses, every time the needle is passed out at A or B, the thread is caught around the thread that connects the preceding sections in the manner just described, before sewing on a new section.

Be careful that the needle does not penetrate the sewing frame cords. As the work advances, the sections should occasionally be pressed together at the points where the cords emerge.