Introduction to Bookbinding

 My biblionautic chums and friends. 

Places available, a residential bookbinding course at West Dean College in May. Introduction to Flat Back Case Binding, inspired by Arts and Crafts style bindings (historical examples will be available to study) and Slip Case making, designed for the beginner/improver. Not only will you be introduced to 3 sewing techniques and 3 covering styles.... we will make sewing gauges, pricking cradles, 2 paper decoration techniques (this can be gloriously messy!) and masses of tricks and tips. In addition to all of that we will explore hot foil tooling and lettering. The workshop is fully equipped and all materials are included, though there is an on site art shop should you wish to go off piste. An intensive 4 days of learning, doing and making. For more information.....please follow the link

https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/s4d39825-arts-and-craft-style-flat-back-case-binding-and-slip-case-making 

Please follow the link for an introductory video on how and why I make and teach Flat Back Case Binding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tNliTSkDm4 

 

Burning Books

Legs, display and 365, 0

 

My biblionautic chums and friends

365, 0

One may recall a small palimpsest parchment hinged diptych with hand pierced (holes) rembroitage boards with 20mm bayonet tacks I made last year.

One recurring thought I always have is in how the viewer/user engages with the book, book arts etc. It is common practise with most of my work that I make a box for the book/book object/book art for protection. The box (with the book/book object/book art in it) is then placed in a book case. Unlike other arts and crafts, such as painting, pot making, glass work and the like, which are displayed. Plinth or mantle piece, wall or garden and so on. I know the arguments for each, a painting is there to be seen etc etc. So, for my part, on the odd occasion when I have a day or two spare I will make some sort of device that is used with a book/book object/book art I have made.

The last couple of days have been spent in making a very simple stand, similar to a plate stand I guess. And yes, I could have gone to a shop or online and bought something that would have done the job.... but there would always have been the nagging thought that it would have been a compromise, just not what I was hoping for, but does the job.

So, after making a practise stand I set to work... components cut and covered with marbled paper. The paper the 'knocked' or aged, then assembled. As I want. The intention was to make something that looks old. Something that one could imagine being found in the bottom of some long forgotten cabinet of curiosities along with Totem Book 365, 0, brought together in some ill matched marriage by some well meaning but slightly befuddled curator.

Please note.... there are other construction methods, studios/binderies doing stuff, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind of sorts.