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.
Bookbinding Core 3 :: Limp Paper Binding
In centuries past, books were sometimes sewn onto cords and then laced into soft covers before being bound for a specific collection or library. Often covered with calfskin, these limp vellum bindings became an important structure all their own. In this class students will bind a book using these bindings as a model but employing thick paper as the folded and laced wrapper. Students will learn to use a sewing frame and the skill of sewing headbands.
Competencies Gained:
Build on skills from Cores 1 and 2
Knowledge:
Scoring and lacing an outer case
Bookbinding materials: cords, heavy hand-made paper
Skills:
Using a sewing frame
Sewing on leather thongs
Sewing headbands
Making a paper case with Yapp edge
Equipment:
Sewing Frame
Japanese hole punch
Dividers
Materials to Bring
All tools and materials will be provided. Students are also welcome to bring any of their favorite bookbinding tools.
About the Instructor
Nina Eve Zeininger {they/them/mx.} is a paper artist, budding book historian, and knowledge management professional. They hold a BFA in Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute with a focus on historic processes and an MLIS from Indiana University with a focus on Book History. Their art is concentrated on bookmaking, photography, and letterpress printing and is infused with nature, bright colors, and sarcasm. Their book history research centers on diverse representation and equality in information access, Readers’ Advisory, and inclusive & reparative description.
After growing up in New England, Nina headed west for college and still hasn’t found a good reason to leave the Bay Area. By day Nina’s time is spent making information accessible and connecting teachers and students with the resources they need to teach and learn. On nights and weekends, Nina morphs into a book arts instructor, researcher, writer, and sometimes even a baker & bartender. Of course no life would be complete without a daily game of fetch played with two giant felines. They dream of writing about books professionally and teaching book history and information science at the college level.
Nina Eve’s artwork and bookish musings can be found at ninaevezeininger.com.
Past Student Reviews
“A fascinating structure, an excellent instructor, a well-organized workshop both in terms of material and of documentation, the right level of difficulty for me. It was perfect.”
“It was the first time I had Nina as an instructor. I had an excellent experience. They are well-organized, well-prepared, clear in giving verbal instructions and in demonstrating the various steps, ready to adjust to the participants' skills and speed. I'm looking forward to taking more classes with them!”
“Nina made every step fun and interesting. I walked away both knowing more about books as well as improving my skills.”
“Clear instructions. Even though I forgot some things from the previous class, all of the demos and instructions made me feel confident in my ability to finish the book. I came away from today feeling like I could make this book at home.”
Location
San Francisco Center for the Book
375 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Registration Policies
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.
Workshop fee
(includes materials fee):
$225
SFCB's Windgate Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing need-based financial support to individuals interested in learning bookbinding, letterpress printing, and related book arts. Click here to apply.
Prerequisite(s):
Bookbinding Core 1 & 2. Please don’t register for this class if you won’t have completed Core 1 and 2 before this workshop date.
Class session:
Saturday: July 26, 2025
9:30am-5:30pm
If this workshop is full, please click this link to add your name to the waitlist. If a seat becomes available, we will contact you.