Long-stitch bookbinding

Longstitch is a bookbinding technique used for sewing together the sections of a book. There are different forms of longstitch sewings. In his book "Non Adhesive Bindings," Keith Smith describes the "Longstitch through a slotted cover" and it involves sewing each section directly through the cover where slots have been made at each sewing station. This sewing method creates a staggered line pattern visible on the spine. Keith Smith indicates that this type of longstitch was used as early as the 1700s in some parts of Europe, and possibly earlier.

Another longstitch technique is done in conjunction with a chain stitch. This particular sewing method is very old and originated in Germany as early as the medieval era. In Szirmai's text, "The Archaeology of medieval bookbinding," the author describes this method of bookbinding being used on parchment covered books with reinforced spines between 1375 and 1500. The sections were sewn directly through holes in the cover material, with two sections being sewn through each row of holes. This allowed the creation of a chain stitch at the first and last sewing stations.