Fine binding masterclass I: end papers
- Course Code: VD370
- Dates: 22/11/24 - 06/12/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Kathy Abbott
Course Code: VD370
Duration: 3 sessions (over 3 weeks)
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What is the course about?
During this Masterclass, you will be taught how to make three different types of endpapers which are suitable for fine binding: a simple ‘made endpaper’; a hidden cloth-jointed endpaper, and a leather-jointed zig-zag endpaper. You will be taught about suitability of papers for endpapers and will go away with samples of each type.
What will we cover?
Starting with a simple ‘made’ endpaper, you will be taught how to fold, laminate and dry papers well, to eliminate air-bubbles and ‘cockling’. You will then go on to learn how to make a hidden-cloth jointed endpaper, which adds strength to the endpaper, and lastly, you will be taught the skills necessary to make a leather-jointed zig-zag endpaper.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Fold and laminate paper cleanly and accurately.
• Decide on suitable weights and types of papers to be used in the making of endpapers.
• Attach cloth or leather joints and compensate for them.
• Pare leather joints on a paring machine
• Fold an accurate zig-zag to accommodate the leather joint.
• Choose which type of endpaper would be suitable for your bindings.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This masterclass is aimed at intermediate and higher level learners. You should be able to measure, fold and cut accurately. Experience in making leather-covered laced-on bindings would be advantageous.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught as a group by demonstration and instruction. Individual tuition will be given as required.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All materials will be provided at a cost of £15 which will cover the cost of a mixture of machine-made and hand-made papers and leather for leather joints. The classroom has some basic tools available to borrow but please bring any of the following if you have them:
• Scalpel with lots of 10A blades
• Pencil (a mechanical/propelling pencil is best)
• 300mm (12") steel rule
• A set square
• A fine, pointed bonefolder
• A teflon folder
• A pair of small dividers
• A largish clean and soft paste brush
• A pair of tweezers
• A small, flat, hog’s hair brush (approx. 1cm wide)
• A pack of razor blades (the best quality that you can get)
• A cotton apron.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may be interested in the following courses:
VD251 Decorative techniques for leather
VD300 Bookbinding: Gold tooling on leather
VD412 Bookbinding: Gold tooling on paper
VD327 Fine binding masterclass II: Edge gilding
VD374 Fine binding masterclass III: creative approaches to design binding.
Kathy Abbott served a four-year apprenticeship in bookbinding and then gained a Higher National Diploma from the London College of Printing, London (UK) followed by a BA (Hons) degree in Bookbinding from Roehampton University, Surrey (UK). She teaches advanced level Fine Binding and Bookbinding: Intermediate and Higher at the City Lit, London and conducts many other workshops across the UK and overseas. Kathy opened her own bookbinding workshop in London in 1997, where she specializes in Islamic book conservation, western book conservation and contemporary fine binding, and is also a partner in Benchmark Bindery, established in 2009 with Tracey Rowledge, to produce high quality and intelligent bookbinding work. She is a founder member of Tomorrow's Past, an international bookbinding collective and is the author of Bookbinding: A step-by-step guide, published by the Crowood Press in 2010. Her work is held in both private and public collections and her work is exhibited widely.
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.