Endbands, or headbands, are attached to the head and tail of a book’s spine, sitting between the spine and the cover. They may provide structural support, serve a decorative purpose, or both. Endbands can be sewn directly onto the book or “stuck-on” with adhesive.

Stuck-on endbands may be machine-made or handsewn separately and later adhered, often for decoration rather than structure. Mass-produced books often use machine-woven stuck-on endbands sold in rolls. Endbands can also be made by wrapping cloth or paper around a cord, cutting to length, and gluing in place.

Sewn endbands are mechanically attached with thread, anchored at intervals by loops passing into the book’s sections and back around the core. They can be single- or multi-colored, often creating decorative patterns that vary by time period or region. A common structure I use is a single-core endband with a bead, woven or braided thread, on the edge or spine.

In restoration work, I often resew missing or damaged endbands. If one remains intact, I replicate its core diameter, thread, and pattern. Cores may be linen cord, leather, parchment, or rolled paper; I most often use linen cord, adjusting thickness as needed. If both endbands are gone, I make an educated guess based on the binding’s era and style.

For this project, part of the original endband remained, so I extended it by consolidating a new linen cord to match the original diameter, tipping it onto the old core, and wrapping it in the same pattern. Anchoring stitches were sewn through the book’s sections. The original thread had darkened over time, making color matching tricky—my cream thread could have been darker for a closer match.

Though sewing endbands can be tedious, it is rewarding work, adding strength and beauty to a binding while offering a meditative rhythm.