Buckram

Buckram is a stiff cotton (occasionally linen or horse hair) cloth with a loose weave, often muslin. The fabric is soaked in a sizing agent such as wheat starch paste, glue (such as PVA glue), or pyroxylin (gelatinized nitrocellulose, developed around 1910), then dried. When rewetted or warmed, it can be shaped to create durable firm fabric for book covers, hats, and elements of clothing.

This article is about the cloth. For Buckrams (Allium ursinum), see Ramsons.
Buckram
Buckram can be shiny or dull.
TypeCloth
Buckram is available in many colors.

In the Middle Ages, "bokeram", as it was known then, was fine cotton cloth, not stiff. The etymology of the term is uncertain; the commonly mentioned derivation from Bokhara[1] is, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, uncertain.[2]

Use in bookbinding

In bookbinding, buckram has several attractive qualities. In addition to being highly durable, buckram does not allow the bookbinder's paste to seep through and cause discoloration or stains on the book's front and back covers.[3]

In bookbinding, pyroxylin-impregnated fabrics are considered superior to starch-filled fabrics because their surfaces are more water resistant, they are more resistant to insects and fungi, and they are generally stronger. They wear well and are particularly suitable for use in library binding where many people will be repeatedly handling the same books. Pyroxylin also allows for unique decorative effects on book covers. They, too, are water repellant and immune to insect attack and fungi, but they do not wear as well as starch impregnated cloths because of cracking at the joints and occasional peeling of the coating.

Use in millinery

Millinery buckram is different from bookbinding buckram. The former is impregnated with a starch which allows it to be softened in water, pulled over a hat block, and left to dry into a hard shape.[4] Millinery buckram comes in many weights, including lightweight or baby buckram (often used for children's and dolls' hats),[5] single-ply buckram, and double buckram (also known as theatrical buckram or crown buckram).[6]

References
  1. King, Donald (1987). Alexander, Jonathan; Binski, Paul (eds.). Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England, 1200–1400. London: Royal Academy/Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 157.
  2. "buckram, noun". Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  3. Thomson, Paul (8 November 2013). "Introduction to Bookbinding Supplies and Materials". iBookBinding - Bookbinding Tutorials & Resources. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  4. Hart, Eric (2013). The Prop Building Guidebook: For Theatre, Film, and TV. Taylor & Francis. p. 292. ISBN 9780240821382.
  5. "The Copyist". The Illustrated Milliner. The Illustrated Milliner Company. 14 (7): 68. July 1913. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  6. McMasters, Lynn (1 November 2005). "Buckram 101". Finery. Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
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