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A week in 2004 when my old boss taught me to hand-sew a text block
I was just starting out, working for a small bindery in St. Louis. My boss, a man named Frank, set aside three full days to show me how to sew a 12-signature text block by hand, no shortcuts. He had me use linen thread and a curved needle, counting every stitch. What stands out is the quiet focus of that whole week, just the sound of paper and thread. It felt like learning a real language. Does anyone still take that kind of time to teach the basics, or is it all about speed now?
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