Leather Binding IV: Special Topics in person workshop

This workshop is not currently scheduled, but it could be in the future. Please contact me if you are interested.

Workshop limited to five students

This year’s topic is crafting a leather fine binding that is rounded but not backed. This is a more gentle way of forwarding that has its roots in Medieval binding. It is also a great solution for students who do not have heavy binding equipment in their studios.

Students will complete one full leather binding with leather hinges and edge-to edge doublures, multi-color sewn endbands, made endsheets with decorative paper and leather hinge, a decorated head, and champhered boards. There are many ways to execute each of the steps required to craft a full leather fine binding. For this workshop we will follow many of the techniques presented in Jen Lindsay’s Fine Binding: A Technical Guide. This out-of-print manual would be helpful but is not required. A workshop handout will outline all major operations.

A partial list of required tools: Scharfix, spokeshave, paring knife + strop. Students traveling by car are asked to provide their own sewing frame and finishing press.

Note: This is a fast-paced, advanced-level workshop for students experienced with traditional binding. Prerequisites: Leather Binding I, II, and III or equivalent. Students should be making leather bindings independently, outside a workshop setting. Please contact me if you are unsure if this workshop is the right fit for your current skills, or an appropriate stretch if you're ready for your next challenge.

The optional supply packet includes a Russell's Oasis goatskin, marbled paper for endsheets, sewing supports and thread, endband silk, supplies for endband cores, book board, various paper and cloth linings, and a book in sheets comparable to those available on this site. You can also choose to source your own supplies from a list provided to registered students a month before the workshop begins. The supply pack is only available to registered students. It will be shipped prior to the workshop, as some work must be done in advance on the boards, text block, and endsheets.

This is an in-person workshop. Details on travel, lodging, and working in the studio in FAQs

Payment in full is due at time of registration. See FAQs for refund policy.