Thick Book Hardcover Binding

[Korn]

I'm trying to leather hardcover bind a book that's 8-1/2" x 5-1?2" x 1-1/2" thick on folded 32# paper following the Youtube tutorial by Eoiyin Hawthorn. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svYRsyxsikQ)
I'm looking for any tips or alternate methods.
When I first finished stitching (20 holes per page) the binding edge was 4". I made a fixture to hold the ropes taught and got it pressed down to 2-1/2" but it still doesn't shape real well. I assume it's the buildup of the waxed thread between the pages that's making it so thick.
What's the thinnest thread that's practical to use? Is there a better method?
Is there any way to bind by going vertical up and down through the pages to eliminate the increase in thickness?
I'm told a book this thick has to be stitched which seems reasonable.

[Annied]

Have you considered sewing the sections on 2 at a time (known as two on)?

If you've never done it before, start with one section, go in at the edge and come out at the first tape/cord. Then put a pencil/piece of paper/whatever in the section so you don't have to find the middle of it again! I add the second section and go into it from the other side of the tape, across and back out at the next tape. Then it's back to the first section, in on the other side of the tape back out at the end and make your kettle stitch as usual. (nb this explanation is for stitching a book using 2 tapes or cords.)

The only disadvantage that I can see is that it's weaker overall than stitching every section individually, but when you consider the number of old books that are still holding together soundly after 200 years, it clearly does a very adequate job. The advantages are that it's much quicker, uses less thread and the finished text block has less swell.

Hope that helps.

[edenworkshops]

That's a good reply Ann.

Richard.