Basic Repairs on Hardbound Books

March 30th, 2025 9:30 AM

  • Instructor: Michelle Sarjeant
  • Workshop Type: Binding
  • Workshop Status: Open
  • Sessions: 1
  • In-person or Online?: In-person

Workshop Fee (includes materials fee): $240
Click here to apply for a Windgate scholarship

 

In this class students will find solutions for common problems that are often found in standard hardcover books, including:

  • how to mend tears within the text block
  • how to patch and sharpen the worn corners on cover boards
  • how to tip in a loose page
  • how to bridge a gap between signatures without removing the covers
  • a simple technique to reback a text block 
  • how to repair worn and torn head caps

This class is an excellent chance to learn repair techniques that often plague our most frequently handled books. Students are welcome to bring their own books but there will also be a sample book available to each student, just to be sure the full range of repair needs are available.


>> Prerequisite: None <<

Materials to Bring: None. All tools and materials will be provided. Students are also welcome to bring any of their own favorite bookbinding tools.

Date & Time: Sunday, March 30, 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.
 


About the Instructor | Michelle Sarjeant (she/her)

Michelle is a bookbinder, author, and museum professional. She earned her Masters of Arts in Museum Studies Archival Care from John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley, California, and her undergraduate degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. She apprenticed in bookbinding with Sandra Good and now does repair and restoration work in her binding studio in Marin. 

She co-authored Modern San Rafael 1940-2000 with Jocelyn Moss, Librarian for the Marin History Museum, A History of the San Francisco State Belt with railroad historian Bill Kaufman and wrote San Rafael Through Time: As Illustrated & Described in 1884.

She is currently writing a book on the California Missions while rebinding books and is the Membership Chair for the Hand Bookbinders of California’s board. 

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375 Rhode Island St
San Francisco, CA 94103-5133
United States