August 12-13, 2017   full, wait list open

August 19-20, 2017   full, wait list open

Saddle Up My Binding

Blue Lizard Studio, Plainfield, Indiana

In this two-day class we will learn a variation of the Saddle Binding where the tapes and sewing are exposed while the rest of the spine is covered with kangaroo leather. The tapes are slotted into the covers and secured there. Strong flax paper from Cave Paper will cover the boards for the covers. The participants will unleash their creativity with watercolors, ink pens and other media to make unique painted covers for their journals.

The text paper is Arches Text Wove with Hahnemühle Ingres endpapers. The book sections are sewn with a Double Herringbone stitch and the text block spine is paper lined. There are 100 pages in this 6.5 x 4.5 inch book. A bone and loop closure system will complete the journal.

On the second day, we will have time to learn and sew an alternative way to do the Saddle Binding. Participant will finish the second book at home. Open to all levels.    

For more information contact Bonnie.

August 26-27, 2017

Byzantine Sewing with Leather Covered Boards    

Cincinnati Book Arts Society, Cincinnati, Ohio 

This historical book structure features a handsome sewing pattern, which forms a thick chain across the spine of the book. The covers will exhibit an artistic design with decoration techniques freely borrowed from the Late Coptic period. These techniques include vellum lacing, inlays and blind tooling, all of which are done prior to adhering the leather to wooden boards. Participants will first experiment with the techniques before using them on their own designs. To finish the book, a slit braid leather strap with fore-edge peg will be attached. 

October 21-22, 2017

Simplified Binding with Embellished Leather Covers   

Lettersong Calligraphy Studio, Louisville, Kentucky

This handsome, thin volume with leather covers offers participants a chance to explore various leather embellishments such as blind panel stamping, cold tooling, and cuir-cisele (cut leather). The decorated leather covers are made entirely off the book and are attached to the text block after they are finished.

The pages for the book are painted with fabric dye. Using the two-as-one pamphlet stitch, the sections are sewn to a concertina that has a pocket for a hidden note. A book cloth spine completes the book.

For more information and how to register for this class go to Lettersong Calligraphy Studio and Gallery.