along the spine sewing

OAB Definition

binding technique in which the thread travels in and out of the fold of one signature, from one end to the other, and then passes up to the next signature, traveling in the opposite direction, following the same pattern across the fold. Each pass of thread along the length of the spine attaches one signature to next, thereby creating a text block. Usually covered, with the Coptic binding being one exception.

ABT Definition

All along sewing (abt) – A method of sewing signatures through the fold by hand. Sewing thread travels in and out of the fold of one signature, from kettle stitch to kettle stitch, then passes to the next signature and travels in and out of the fold from kettle stitch to kettle stitch. Each pass of thread along the length of the spine attaches one signature to the text block. 

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