I tried this on one of my old New Testaments. Your book is sandwiched between two pull-up leather covers, and rather than cross-stitching,I drill samll holes and tie the whole thing with a series of tied rough threads in varying lengths. It is a rustic looing book. Before drilling the holes, I wrap the spine in 100-year old marbled paper that shows through the stitches. The book can't be more than 1 inch thick.