Leather book with magnetic closures
- Course Code: VD303
- Dates: 01/08/24 - 03/08/24
- Time: 10:30 - 16:30
- Taught: Thu-Sat, Daytime
- Duration: 3 sessions
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Nesta Davies
Course Code: VD303
Duration: 3 sessions
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 hone your binding skills and guide you through making a book to fit into a reusable leather wrapper with inset magnets.
What will we cover?
On this course we will create a binding from folded sheets, sew with link stitch and sew on endpapers and boards. The edg-es will be trimmed and the spine will be rounded.
We will construct a wrap-around boarded case covered with leather, insert magnets and create internal pockets to hold the book boards. Along the way we will talk about the materials we are using and consider techniques and good practice.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Sew, trim and round a multi-section book
• Edge-pare leather and construct a leather covered case with flap and magnetic closure.
• Form pockets to fit and hold book boards.
• Use tools and materials safely and appropriately.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is an intermediate level one and aimed at students with some experience of bookbinding. It is not suitable for beginners. Experience of working with leather would be useful, but is not essential - just a sense of adventure!
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
All work will be completed during the course in the classroom. You will be taught by demonstration in a group workshops with one-to-one guidance and support.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All tools and materials will be provided. If you have your own bookbinding tool kit, you are welcome to bring and use it. You may like to bring an apron to protect your clothes. Please do bring a sharp pencil. You may like to use your own decorative paper and guidance will be given on this on the first day.
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?
VD320 Bookbinding: Improvers workshop
VD435 Bookbinding: Simple leather notebook
VD251 Bookbinding: decorative techniques for leather.
Nesta is a professional bookbinder and runs her own studio, Leafwork, in Dorset, where she lives. She has taught in the Bookbinding department of City Lit for many years, teaching subjects from Book Conservation through to Artists' Books. She particularly likes introducing new students to bookbinding through the Try-It-Out sessions. "It's so satisfying to meet some of them again, profressing and developing on further courses and becoming creative, confident bookbinders." In her studio she teaches small workshops and 1:1, and frequently afound ghe country for the Society of Bookbinders, Designer Bookbinders and many other groups, particularly textile artists. Nesta loves the tactile opportunites possible in bookbinding and finds using texture almost irresistible in her own work. Her bindings are held in private and public collections, including the British Library, the National Library of Scotland, the John Rylands University Library Manchester and the Grolier Club, New York.
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.