Medieval Cutaway Binding online workshop.

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

The Medieval binding may be the archetypal book: heavy wooden boards, partially or fully covered in leather, prominent bands on the spine, held shut by straps terminating in metal clasps. Though the materials differ, the construction of these bindings is surprisingly similar to how a fine leather binding is made today. Paper has replaced parchment for the text block; thick, dense paper has replaced wood for the boards; and the sewing is now often done on flat supports to present a smooth spine. The sewing supports are still laced into the boards, the boards still nest into the shoulder but with a different profile, spine linings still provide support though they now stop at the edges of the spine rather than extending onto the boards to function as levers to aid in opening. Carefully formed corners are now designed to be invisible rather than merely protect, endbands are now decorative only instead of structural elements that lace into the boards. Clasps are no longer necessary to hold the book closed.

Students will construct a small (roughly 6x4x2") model highlighting aspects typical of a Medieval binding: text block sewn on double supports; wooden boards shaped all around, with special attention given to the inside spine edge to match the text block’s natural shoulder, then drawn on and pegged; sewn endbands; partially covered in alum-tawed leather leaving the engineering visible. The final session will end with a demonstration of blind tooling. The model will have no strap or clasp. Four half-day sessions.

This workshop requires a sewing frame, finishing press, dremel or drill, plane or rasp, and a 1/4" or 6 mm chisel.

Note: This is a fast-paced, advanced-level workshop for students experienced with traditional binding. Students should be making sewn books independently, outside a workshop setting. Prerequisite: Binding Fundamentals.

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.