I finally got my headbands to stop fraying after a month of messing with them

Honestly, my headbands used to look rough after just a few books. The edges would fray and it drove me nuts. I switched from a basic PVA to a mix of methyl cellulose and wheat starch paste for the headband glue. Tbh, it took about three tries to get the mix right, not too thick. After letting it cure for a full 48 hours, the difference was huge. The threads are locked in tight now and the finish is way cleaner. Has anyone else tried a different glue mix for this, or do you just buy pre-made ones?

3 comments

3 Comments

david56216d ago

Seriously, all this glue talk for a headband? It's just a tiny strip of fabric, not a structural part of the book. A dab of regular glue works fine if you just want it to look neat on the shelf.

the_faith16d ago

But what about when you open the book to read it... doesn't that regular glue get brittle and crack after a while? I've had headbands just pop right off from that, and then you've got threads everywhere.

the_brian16d ago

Oh man, the fraying is the worst. I actually just use a really thick PVA, like Lineco Neutral pH, but I thin it out a tiny bit with water first. I found if it's too thin it soaks in and doesn't hold, but if it's too thick it's a mess. I use a toothpick to apply it, way easier to control. Letting it cure for a full day is key, I totally agree.

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