Beginners' bookbinding

What is the course about?

You will be introduced to bookbinding through a series of projects designed to provide a good working knowledge of materials and techniques. You will develop skills in both the production and design of hand made books enabling you to go on to explore more complex binding skills and structures.

What will we cover?

You will explore bookbinding through a series of projects that will introduce skills and techniques that will enable you to make a range of books and containers. We will experiment with paper folding, sewing techniques, soft and hard covers to create a range of structures and simple containers.
Beginners:
You will be taught a range of skills needed to create your own books including: folding and sewing paper to make a variety of structures including multi-section books, using paper, cloth and board to make soft and hard covers for books. You will also learn about adhesives, tools and materials commonly used in bookbinding.
Returners:
You will have the opportunity to practice, refine and develop existing skills and learn how to make structures not already covered in the previous class (VD261). There will also be the opportunity to develop and extend your creative ideas.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Beginners:
- Select and use appropriate materials
- Recognise the importance of grain direction
- Make a range of non adhesive bindings
- Make single section bindings with different sewing techniques
- Sew multi-sectioned bindings with soft and hard covers

Returners:
- Practice, develop and refine techniques
- develop creative approaches to bookbinding
- Make a range of new bookbinding structures.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for beginners. Some level of manual dexterity and attention to detail will be required but this will be taught through step-by step instructions and demonstrations. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions during the classroom sessions. You will have access to Google Classroom if you wish to engage in further study and for additional information which supports the techniques taught. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Through demonstration, practice and discussion you will be taught as a group and individually as required.The course is structured to manage the work within the class but you may wish to work on individual ideas outside of the course time.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Materials needed to complete the projects are included in the cost of the course. You may wish to purchase extra from City Lit during the course. The bindery is equipped with most hand tools although you may wish to provide and use your own hand tools. A list of equipment and suppliers will be provided at the first lesson but if you already have all or some of the following you might like to bring them with you - Pencil, metal ruler, craft knife, bone folder.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

VD190 City Lit Bookbinding
VD327 Bookbinding: Box-making
VD416 Bookbinding: Japanese books and boxes
VD354 Creative Arts for bookbinding 1: decorative paper techniques
VD359 Beginners' bookbinding: evening course.