ONE WAY TO BIND
Neatly, Substantially And Usefully.
Nothing so admirable for the household elsewhere exists as Good Housekeeping, and the successive numbers should be preserved and bound. There is more need of binding this than other magazines, because it will be referred to oftener. The magazine is more convenient for reference, and is better preserved when bound. Having bound all volumes from the first to the present, I have thought a description of how any one may bind them, without expense, would be welcomed by many subscribers who would gladly preserve the magazine thus if they knew how. I will try to make it so plain that all will understand it.
From paper or pasteboard boxes of suitable size, obtained at the dry goods store, cut two pieces 8 1/4 by 12 1/8 inches for covers. For the back, use a strip of cambric about 14 inches long, and 3 1/4 inches wide. In pasting the back to the covers, allow the thickness of the volume when the numbers are pressed firmly together (which varies a little from 1 1/4 inches) and also three-fourths of an inch more between the edges of the covers, the back lapping equally on to the sides of covers and the projecting edges of the back being folded over inwardly. On the inside of the back paste another piece of cloth the same width as the back, extending to within one-fourth inch of either end. A strong paste should be used, and it will be better if there is a little glue in it. Allow the back to dry, with covers opened out flat and having something laid upon the back to keep it smooth.
To cover the sides of covers, use cloth, or any plain colored or small-figured ornamental paper (wall paper will do if nothing better is at hand). Cut this about two inches longer and one inch wider than the covers, so as to lap over well on the inside. In pasting this paper on to covers, let it lap about three-eighths of an inch on the back on either side.
On the inside of the covers paste any light-colored paper, letting it come to within one-fourth of an inch or so of the edges of covers. Place the covers under something which will keep them smooth until dry.
The covers being ready, with an awl punch three holes in each magazine three-eighths of an inch from the back. As the neat appearance of the volume when bound depends upon the exactness and uniformity with which this work is done, it will be well to make a pattern to go by. In a piece of pasteboard 11 or 12 inches long cut a notch in one edge two inches from one end and three-eighths of an inch deep. Four inches from this cut a similar notch, and at four inches further cut a third notch. Lay this pattern on the magazine, even at the top and back edges, and uniformity in punching the holes will be insured.
To bind the magazines, arrange them in the proper order, and place within the covers, allowing the covers to project one-eighth of an inch, or a trifle more, beyond the edges of the magazine. Prick holes in the cloth back to correspond with those in the magazines. Thread into a tape or large darning needle a suitable cord or narrow tape about 27 inches long; pass it from the back of the volume through the middle holes, drawing it to within three inches of the end of the cord; next pass it through the top holes; pass it to and through the bottom holes to the front of the volume and then again through the middle holes, and with the ends at either side of the cord at the back tie tightly. The magazines should be pressed very firmly together each time the cord is passed through the holes. If this work is carefully done the volume will be neatly and substantially bound. I have here indicated a plain and inexpensive binding. Of course, fancy paper or cloth, embroidered or hand-painted may be used. Bands of ornamental paper different from the rest on the sides of covers may extend across top and bottom, and other ways of decoration will suggest themselves. Housewives will find it of much value and convenience to enter in an alphabetical index (which may be obtained for a small sum at a stationer’s) such things (and those only) in each number when received as they think will be of future use or interest to them.