Pocket bindings: books with reusable covers
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- Start Date: 09 Apr 2025End Date: 11 Apr 2025Wed-Fri (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
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What is the course about?
This course will show you how to create a concertina notebook/sketchbook and a multi-section notebook, both with removable and reusable covers.
What will we cover?
On this course we will create two structures which both use detachable covers, meaning the binding can be replaced and the cover reused. First we will fold a concertina sketchbook which slips into a boarded cover, then we’ll sew a multi-section binding from folded sheets, form a rounded spine and construct a boarded case covered with paper or fabric. We will attach ribbons which hold the binding into the internal pockets on the cover. As we work, 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...
- Fold an accurate concertina from joined sheets
- Sew a round a multi-section book
- Construct cases covered in both paper and fabric.
- Form pockets to fit and hold book boards.
- Use tools and materials safely and appropriately.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course is aimed at students with some experience of bookbinding, but beginners with some manual dexterity or a sense of adventure are welcome! An ability to measure accurately and pay attention to detail will be useful.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
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 bring a sharp pencil, an eraser and a notebook. You may like to use your own decorative or coloured paper or fabric. Guidance on this will be given on the first day so please bring anything you would like to use along for the start of the class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Courses you might be interested in include:
VD262 10 projects for beginners
VD435 Bookbinding: Simple leather binding
VD251 Bookbinding: Decorative techniques for leather
VD419 Bookbinding: Experiments in paper folding
VD190 City Lit Bookbinding.
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.