Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $225
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Bookbinding Core Certificate Program

The San Francisco Center for the Book celebrates the craft and art of bookbinding. Our Bookbinding Core Certificate Program introduces students to four different binding models, leading them through the history and evolution of bookmaking.  It provides students a comprehensive foundation to delve into the practice of binding and qualifies them to rent studio time in our bindery. Core classes must be taken in order, 1 through 4.

Click here to learn more about the Bookbinding Core Certificate Program. 

Bookbinding Core 2 :: Flat-Back Case Binding

In this second Core Bookbinding class, students will create what most of us refer to as a hardbound book. In bookbinding terms, it is known as a case binding; where a sewn textblock is glued into a separate structure known as a case. Students will learn more about the mechanics of books as they build on skills from Core 1 and expand both their vocabulary and capabilities in and around the bindery.

Competencies Gained:

• Build on skills from Core 1

Knowledge:

• Mechanism and relationships of the elements of a bound book and case binding
• Bookbinding materials: threads and tapes

Skills:

• Spine gluing and lining, endsheet/flyleaves structure and application, sewing all-along

Equipment:

• Finishing press

 >> Prerequisite: Bookbinding Core 1 <<

 

Materials to Bring: None. All tools and materials will be provided. Students are also welcome to bring any of their own favorite bookbinding tools, and any leftover pastepapers from Core 1 that they might want to use on the book.

Date & Time: Saturday, February 15, 2025 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

NOTE: Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class. Registration will close approximately three days prior to the start date of the workshop to allow the instructor time to prep materials for class. We recommend you not wait to register, as workshops that don't meet our minimum enrollment will be canceled, sometimes as much as a week in advance.
 

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About the Instructor | Madison Gordon (she/her)

Madison is a bookbinder and conservator-in-training living in Oakland, CA, currently working at Zukor Art Conservation and the Walt Disney Family Museum. She is fascinated by paper, and loves making and repairing practical, fun, accessible, and well-made structures for the use and enjoyment of everyday people. Madison is also trained in letterpress printing and has worked previously with the Key Printing & Binding (Oakland, CA) and Small Editions (Brooklyn, NY).

Past Student Reviews:

“Loved the instructor and the pace. She explained things really well, one demo and we were on our way. The printed instructions were also generally pretty clear to follow without a demo. She struck a good balance between different levels of experience and also timing.”  

“The instruction was very clear with lots of demos. Madison clearly has a love of bookmaking, which gave me the push to get through the parts that I had trouble with (my issues, not the instructors). Also she dealt so well with our array of experience.”

“Very well-timed and paced; Madison provided excellent demonstrations, guidance, and answering of questions.”