Question about switching to linen thread for coptic stitch

I was dead set against using linen thread for bookbinding. I figured waxed polyester was fine and linen was just old school hype. Last month I had a project with 5 signatures and the polyester kept slipping on me. A friend at the local craft store told me to try a spool of 18/3 linen thread from Talas. The tension held way better and the stitch looked cleaner on every single signature. Has anyone else had a similar experience with thread types for coptic binding?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan22mo ago

Dead set against it" is such a strong phrase for thread lol

paige4271mo ago

Polyester slips on me all the time in coptic bindings. Linen grips the needle holes way better. 18/3 is my go to for anything over 4 signatures. You get that snap when you pull it tight, polyester just feels mushy. Tried waxing my own polyester once, still had issues. Linen doesn't stretch out as much either. Stick with it, you'll notice the difference on every joint.

norathomas2mo ago

Never had that issue with polyester and @rowan2 is right, that's a weird hill to die on.