PSA: linen thread vs. waxed cotton on a 300-page rebind, and the linen held up way better

Tyler Thompson · 2026-10-26T05:20:03.705667+00:00

I rebound a beat-up 1970s dictionary last week using 18/3 linen thread and it laid flat with no gaps at the spine. My first try with waxed cotton thread kept slipping and I had to re-sew two sections. The linen cost about $12 a spool but it was worth it for a book that thick. What thread do you all use for heavier text blocks, or do you switch to something else for big jobs?

🐿️Pinecone Attack

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PSA: linen thread vs. waxed cotton on a 300-page rebind, and the linen held up way better | Bookbinders - Pinecone Attack