My biblionautic chums and friends.
A very busy week at Flatford Mill teaching beginners and Improvers.
It is that time of year, Spring. Last week found me teaching at the beautiful Flatford Mill, yes, the home of Constable, the Hay Wain and Bookbinding for beginners and improvers. A 4 day residential course.
For the beginners we start with the Multi sectional Flat Back Case bound book. I know there will be those who say that it is best to start with the simpler stuff.... Zig Zag, single section and the like.... However my thinking is this...... By learning how to make the flat back, understanding paper; how it is made, grain direction and other stuff. Folding sections, pressing, sewing, threads, spine linings, paper decoration (Paste Paper and Flottage). How to measure and cut board (by hand) accurately. Case making and casing in, the student is able to make simpler books with confidence. In addition to understanding how other book structures etc are made. And, if I am honest, zig zag, single section and the like can be learnt from a book! The Improvers worked on their own projects, leather work, rounding and backing, foil work etc etc etc.
Along the way we had a quick look into the delights of Paste Paper (inspired by the country side) and Flottage (images to follow) inspired by the Surrealists.... and why not?...
Dear Reader, there now follows a series of images, finished work, work in progress and stuff. It may be of interest to realise that the Flat Backs in the images are the first books the students had made...ever! They went on to make more....
Please note.... there are other residential courses available (but not with me teaching!), 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.
For course details please follow the link... https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/static-courses/bookbinding-for-beginners-and-improvers/
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