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I keep seeing people skip the grain direction check on book cloth
I was helping a friend with a project last week and noticed they didn't test the stretch of their cloth before cutting. They just assumed it was fine... but when they glued it, the cover started to warp as it dried. It's a basic step, but I see it a lot in online videos too. The grain should run parallel to the spine, not across it. I learned this the hard way on a custom order two years ago, and I had to redo the whole cover. A quick tear test or just feeling how it bends shows you which way it gives. It takes ten seconds and saves so much headache. Has anyone found a foolproof way to mark the grain side on darker materials where it's hard to see?
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the_avery15d ago
Honestly, I've never actually checked the grain on my book cloth. I just cut it and glue it and my covers turn out fine every time. Maybe some materials are more sensitive than others.
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lindaowens15d ago
Yeah, that's so true. I did the same thing with some dark blue linen once and the whole board curled up like a potato chip.
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