The Classic Leather Binding
June 15th, 2015 9:30 AM
- Instructor: Dominic Riley
- Workshop Type: Binding
- Workshop Status: Closed
- Workshop Start: June 15th, 2015 9:30 AM
- Workshop End: June 19th, 2015 5:30 PM
- Sessions: 5
This intensive master class will introduce students to the classic (and luxurious) English leather binding, which was a popular style throughout the 17th & 18th centuries and is very useful for creating handsome “period” bindings.
The sections will be sewn on raised cords using the sewing frame. Following that, traditional “made” endpapers will be sewn on, after which the book will be trimmed, rounded, and backed. The edges will be sprinkled and polished, two-color headbands sewn on, and the cords frayed out and laced into boards.
The book will be covered in a smooth calfskin, and particular attention will be given to careful and accurate paring using the English knife and spoke shave, ensuring a neat fit over the binding. The leather will be pasted out and applied to the book, taking care to shape it over the raised bands, forming the headcaps and making neat, simple corners.
The binding will be decorated in the Cambridge Panel style, which first involves sprinkling with leather dye using an ingenious template to create the classic paneled effect. Then, using a few tools and working with a traditional formula, the covers will be enhanced by handsome blind tooling. The endpapers will then be put down, and the binding polished and waxed.
Prerequisites: Traditional craft bookbinding experience recommended. Experience with leather paring and knife sharpening also recommended.
Materials to bring: Scalpel and blades; cobbler’s knife; metal ruler; dividers; bone folder; scissors; cutting mat; paring knife; old toothbrush; natural sponge; ace bandage. Please bring (if you have): paring machine; paring knife and strop; spoke shave; paring stone; finishing tools: two-line wheel; decorative wheel; lozenge tool; one-line palette; finishing stove.
Recommended: Bookbinding Core 1-4 (click here to learn more about the Bookbinding Core)
Date & Time: Monday-Friday, June 15-19, 2015 :: 9:30am-5:30pm
Workshop + Materials Fee: $690
Please review the SF Center for the Book Registration Policies before signing up for a class
About the Instructor | Dominic Riley
Dominic Riley learned bookbinding at age 16 from Benedictine monks and at the London College of Printing. He spent the last 10 years in San Francisco teaching, lecturing and restoring rare books. He now has a bindery with Michael Burke in England's Lake District and serves as vice chairman of the Society of Bookbinders.
He also recently won the top award of £10,000 ($15,670.89) at the second Sir Paul Getty Bodleian Bookbinding Prize 2013 ceremony.The BBC filed the following report. To view the original article click here.
Past Student Reviews:
“Dominic is a masterful teacher. Very good with ALL students”
“Superb! Set the time frame very well so we could all complete work. Very helpful to slow learners!”
“Instructor was amazing- knowledge of technique, history, and personal anecdotes was informative and interesting”
"Dominic's classes are always worth attending. You learn about the history as well as the binding you are studying"