This class presents a new look at historical “stationery” bindings – a style of binding commonly used for account books and ledgers. Taking cues from tacketed and long stitch bindings, students will learn how to construct a basic softcover binding, with the addition of decorative stitching on book covers and spines. Once the initial form has been learned, the class will construct variations based on historical models, as time allows. By the end of the second session, students will have 2-3 completed book models.

Skills Gained After Completing this Course:

• Students will be able to plan and create their own version of ledger binding book structure
• Students will learn how to construct a basic text block and use basic bookbinding stitches and kettle stitch.
• Students will have knowledge of applying decorative “stationery/ledger” sewing to book covers and spine

Materials to bring: 

• X-acto knife with extra blades
• bone folder
• pencil
• right angle triangle (small or medium size is o.k.)
• inexpensive small, flat bristle brush for glue
• a pair of full size, sharp scissors bookbinder’s awl or an icepick

Workshop + Materials Fee: $130.00

Date & Time: Monday, August 25 & Tuesday, August 26, 2014 | 6:30pm-9:30pm

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

Note: Please read the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class

About the Instructor | Jennie Hinchcliff

As a “near-native” of San Francisco, Jennie Hinchcliff has been teaching classes in bookbinding and related arts since 2001. Her bookworks can be seen in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art's Special Collection, the Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design, and the Franklin Furnace Archive (among others); she has shown work at the San Francisco Center for the Book, Pyramid Atlantic, the New York Art Book Fair and the Tokyo Art Book Fair. Jennie’s work often incorporates one-of-a-kind elements such as found typography or handwritten correspondence, harkening back to the spirit of Dada artists and writers.

Jennie's personal work can be seen in the books "1000 Artist Journal Pages" (Quarry Books, 2008), "The Creative Entrepreneur" (Quarry Books, 2009), and most recently “500 Handmade Books: Volume 2” (Lark Books, 2013). She is a co-author of "Good Mail Day: A Primer for Eye-Popping Post", which explores mail art and correspondence in its' many styles and formats. Her blog "Every Day Should Be A Red Letter Day" promotes the idea that letter writing can be done anytime, anyplace, anywhere by anybody.

Blog: www.redletterdayzine.wordpress.com

twitter: @redletterzine 

Past Student Reviews

"It was such a pleasure to have Jennie as an instructor. She was a wonderfully funny and amazingly knowledgeable about bookbinding". Such a great teacher and so well prepared"

"Jennie's classes are always lively and inspiring."

"Super wonderful. Easy to use skills passed on with panache."