Coptic binding A6 notebook cover

This is a cover for a coptic binding notebook, a binding method that requires no glue, very little specialized tools and opens completely flat.

The hexagon pattern in the front is sized in such a way that it can be decorated with standard hexagonal stickers.

To make this notebook you need the following materials:

• two copies of the printed cover;

• a multiple of 4 A5 sheet of your favourite paper (32 is a good starting number, 48 or 64 are also good for a thicker notebook);

• strong thread: bookbinder's waxed thread is best, but buttonhole twist will also do;

and the following tools

• one copy of the printed sewing guide;

• two needles of the right size for your thread: curved needles are ideal, or you can curve yours using a flame or another heat source (hot air soldering stations work great!)

• an awl with a thin point, or a pin.

Take four sheet at a time and fold them in half to form each signature, then use the sewing guide and an awl to make holes in the fold, aligned to the ones on the cover.

Cut a piece of thread no longer than the width of your extended arms, thread one needle on each end.

Put the first signature over the back cover, open it and pass the thread from the inside to the outside in the two first holes, pulling from the outside until it's centered.

Now pass the thread in the top hole of the cover: first from the outside in, then come over the thread at the spine from the right and go back to the left of it, and through the same hole in the cover again, from the inside out. Pass the thread in the small loop in the front and pull up. Repeat with the other needle in the next hole in the cover.

Put the second signature over the first, pass the thread from the outside to the inside of the signature in the first and second hole, cross the threads and go back outside.

On the outside, pass the needle behind the existing binding between the cover and the first signature, going from right to left.

Put the third signature on top, pass the thread from the outside to the inside. Repeat crossing the threads, going back outside, passing them between the two previous signatures and going back in the next signature until you've sewn all of the signatures.

Then put the front cover on top, pass the needle in the top hole of the cover from the outside in, then back outside from the right of the thread at the spine, and then again through the hole of the cover from the inside out. Pass the thread in the loop and pull down. Repeat with the next hole.

Bring the thread back into the last signature and knot it around the existing thread to finish the seam. Cut the excess leaving a 1-2 cm tail.

Or you can then follow your favourite tutorial for coptic binding: there are a few variants available online.