Bookbinding: simple leather binding
Time: 10:30 - 16:30
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: VD435
- Dates: 25/04/24 - 16/05/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Thu, Daytime
- Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Ina Baumeister
Course Code: VD435
Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course will give you a taste of working with leather and how these flexible binding styles lend them self to working creatively with leather bindings. They are less time intense and require less equipment than a traditional fine leather binding and will give you more time to enjoy and explore working with leather decoratively on your future book projects.
What will we cover?
- basic leather working tools
- cutting leather
- laminating leather
- sewing onto/into leather
- flexible/limp leather bindings
- basic cross structure binding.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify basic material properties of leather
- cut leather accurately
- Use a variety of leather working tools
- sew multi section book blocks onto leather straps
- create flexible/limp leather bindings
- name a number of leather decorating techniques
- apply your knowledge to future binding projects.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is aimed at beginners and intermediate level.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught by demonstration, hands-on practice and group tuition. There will be hand-outs to accompany the demonstrations and advice on additional reference material. You are expected to take your own notes and will be advised on possible research outside the class room which could enhance your progress.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Most materials are included, as well as some of the leather. We will be working in quite small formats to cover several structures and allow for a wider range of experimentation. However, you can bring your own leather and purchase additional leather (a list of suppliers will be made available) should you wish to work on more or bigger books. There are hand tools available in class but if you have your own set of hand tools, please do bring them with you. An apron will also be very useful.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.
To get an LGC discount card, students will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment of them being a student at City Lit. You can apply for our card in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. The student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
- VD251 Working with leather: decorative techniques
- VD361 Creative arts for bookbinding II: Leather dyeing techniques
- VD300 Bookbinding: Gold tooling on leather
- VD412 Bookbinding: Gold tooling on paper.
Ina is a professional bookbinder and box-maker. She holds an MA in Book Art from UAL Camberwell and a master-craftsmanship from the German Crafts Council and Guild of Bookbinders in Munich. As a binder she works with contemporary arts organisation Book Works, the Tate Paper and Photography conservation department as well as other organisations and clients. Most of her work life is closely linked to contemporary art, art publishing and the creative industries. Besides working professionally as a bookbinder for nearly twenty years, Ina teaches and lectures for universities all over London on a wide range of courses, such as photography, printmaking, design, illustration, fine art and architecture. Ina also delivers tailored staff training to universities and other institutions such as the Tate and Houses of Parliament. Ina says that she rates bookbinding as an art in itself but also sees it as part of a toolkit for a wide range of creative professions.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.