An Earhart Discovery Kit Book fully made
This page describes the kit content and technique to make a book by sewing on leather strips. The book is easy to make and very useable ~ but is a little unconventional in several ways.
The style of binding is an open-back ~ flexible ~ limp cover binding.
The Earhart Kit is available in several forms. One such ~ The Starter Kit ~ has the advantage of being suitable for beginners because no sharp knives are required. A sewing needle is necessary ~ but a special blunt needle is supplied [125941]. It will be quite safe for sensible children to use with a little supervision.
Books have been sewn in the codex style on linen ~ or cotton ~ tapes for centuries. The tapes are normally hidden underneath an outer wrapping. Here they are of leather and left exposed which allows for more spinal flexbility. The linen sewing thread has been dyed to a mustard colour.
The book is made of twelve sections ~ each of four folios. The paper is acid-free ~ all-media ~ white cartridge ~ made at a UK mill. This is about as thick as paper can be before it feels like card.
The covers are midway between flexible ~ and stiff boards. They have been covered ~ front and back ~ on both sides with a Tassotti 'Ladybird' paper.
