Even More Simplified Binding with fish parchment spine workshop
This workshop is not currently scheduled, but it could be in the future. Please contact me if you are interested.
Elegant and much leaner than the Simplified or Bradel bindings, the Even More Simplified Binding is stripped down to only the essential elements: boards glued onto the flange of a separate spine wrapper. Unique to this structure: the sewing supports lace through the spine wrapper to provide both an adhesive and a mechanical attachment to the text block. This structure was presented at the Guild of Book Workers Standards of Excellence in Hand Bookbinding Seminar in 2021. It is inspired by a binding by Jen Lindsay.
The spine wrapper is cut flush at the head and tail. The lacing ensures that the wrapper is crisply and evenly placed. There are no endbands. The boards can be laminated sheets of colored paper left uncovered; book board covered in leather, parchment, decorative paper, or book cloth; thin wood boards; or some experimental material. Joins between materials are neat but no more paring, sanding, lining, or infilling need be done than is necessary for the book to function. This leaves the structure of the completed book easily discernible.
In this workshop you will explore how minimalism can define an elegant binding. Students will reinforce their forwarding skills including multi-part endsheets, rounding, backing, spine lining and measuring boards. Session 1 will be devoted to making fish parchment, which will be lined with paper and used for our spine wrapper in future sessions. Students who prefer not to use fish parchment may provide their own split leather, book cloth, or handmade paper. Fish parchment is not available commercially. Fish leather is available here.
This workshop requires a sewing frame and finishing press. A nipping press is recommended. Students will provide their own materials for the spine wrapper and to cover the boards. All other materials will be provided in the materials pack.
This is a fast-paced, advanced-level workshop for students experienced with traditional binding. Prerequisites: Binding Fundamentals or equivalent. Students should be making sewn books independently, outside a workshop setting.
The online format is a series of live tutorials via Zoom. The tutorials are recorded and the videos are available to registered students for 90 days. Students need not be present for the live sessions. Workshop fee includes supplies and a detailed handout, which are mailed to arrive in time for the first session. Zoom links will be sent the week before class, and a tool list no later than three weeks in advance. Please check your spam filter if you have not received these messages in this timeframe.
Students outside US and Canada please contact me to discuss options for supplies.
Payment in full is due at time of registration. See FAQs for refund policy.
