Anastasia's Vigil Book

I was asked to make a Vigil Book for my friend Anastasia's elevation to the Order of Defense.  Here are my "in progress" and "finished product" pictures.

Twenty signatures with four folded pages in signature.  The paper is Mohawk Superfine Text Weigh (70lb), short grain.  You can see the sewing holes in the signatures

The signatures were sewn on jute cords with 4-ply waxed linen thread. 

After the text block was sewn, I added the end pages.  They are glued on.

This is the pretty side of the end paper.

First later of glue.  The signatures got a little wonky in the press.

My cover decoration is based on St. Cuthbert's Gospel, an early 8th-century pocket gospel book.  The cover of St. Cuthbert is a raised clay design under leather.  This is the first time I have used clay to make the design.

The book covers are modern Davey Board.  They are added to the text block by slipping the cords through a hole in the board.  You then fan the cord and glue it down.  You can also see the gold and black head and end bands.

Lizard glued on the cover with painter's tape to hold it until the glue dries.

Cover added.  The leather is 3 oz. purple goatskin.

End pages glued down.

Final press!!

Finished cover.  The lizard is part of Anastasia's SCA heraldry and the swords make up the badge granted to Masters of Defense.  I panted the cover with leather paint.

Back of the book.

Black and gold end bands.  Both the end and head bands made of lengths of jute cord wrapped with pearl cotton with a drop of glue at the end to keep the thread from wandering off.  You sew in the bands while you wrap the cord.  Black and gold are the colors of the Handsome Boys, the SCA fencing "gang" Anastasia founded.