Try it out: bookbinding
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Course Code: VD212
Duration: 1 session
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What is the course about?
The course is a taster session on the craft of hand bookbinding. It is ideal for anyone who would like to know
more about this area and/or who might be thinking of enrolling on one of the longer courses at City Lit.
What will we cover?
You will be introduced to some of the materials, equipment and techniques of bookbinding. We will fold, cut and sew paper to form a single section pamphlet with stiff boards, with cloth spine and decorative paper sides. There
will be a chance to talk about suppliers, books, courses at City Lit, and to hear a little about historical and contemporary bookbinding practice.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify grain direction in paper
- Safely and correctly use basic bookbinding tools and materials
- Make a single section binding in boards, and case in (attach the pamphlet to its cover)
- Explain a little about the historical development of bookbinding.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is for those with little or no experience or knowledge of hand bookbinding.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and 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.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
All work will be undertaken during the class. You will be taught by demonstration, discussion, visual aids,
practical tasks and individual support and guidance from the tutor.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All materials and tools are provided for this course, you are welcome to bring your own bookbinding kit if you have one. Please bring a sharp pencil an eraser, and a notebook. You may like to bring an apron to protect your clothes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
On completion of this day you could join another bookbinding course in beginners Conservation or a longer general Bookbinding course or a short course on a different Bookbinding technique or structure.
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.