The before and after on my headbands after switching to linen thread is crazy

I used cheap polyester thread for about 6 months on my bindings and always had this weird loose look after a few weeks. Switched to linen thread last month and the books are holding tight and lying flat like never before. Anyone else notice a big difference just from changing thread type?

3 comments

3 Comments

adamthompson24d ago

Yeah I ran into the same thing. Polyester just doesn't have the same grip or stretch memory as linen. I switched about a year ago and my bindings look way cleaner after a few months of use. Just make sure you're not over tightening the linen or it can dent the boards.

drewgonzalez24d ago

Heard a bookbinder say wetting linen first helps keep it from denting stuff.

drew_reed6224d ago

Oh wait, is that right about linen denting boards? I thought it was the other way around actually. In my experience polyester is way more likely to leave marks because it doesn't give as much. Linen has that natural give so it actually conforms better without putting too much pressure in one spot. @adamthompson maybe check your tension settings? I've been using linen for about two years now and never had denting issues unless I really cranked it down way too hard. The trick is to barely tighten it and let the material do the work.