1. Group pages into "signatures" for folding.
2. Fold pages/signatures.
3. Mark where to punch holes for sewing signatures. The top page is a template I use for punching books of this size.
4. Punch holes in signatures. This is a uniform awl so that the hole is the same size no matter how deep I punch the hole.
5. Sew signatures together. This is called a French stitch. It's a beautiful stitch (that I am unfortunately covering up this time) that can be decorative on books without spines.
6. Check the sewing inside the signatures.
7. After attaching book boards, I've glued a cloth along the spine to add stability. Notice how the boards extend past the signatures.
8. Spine is dry. But look at all those jagged edges.
9. I have a monster paper cutter for just this reason.
10. And square it up.
11. This book is ready to be covered with book cloth or decorative paper.