Discover the beauty of the Danish Millimeter Binding! Spend five days exploring this classic style and its variations, while binding three different models. This class is highly recommended as an introduction to bookbinding with leather.
Developed in Denmark during WWII when materials were scarce, the Millimeter Binding takes its name from the minimal amount of leather used on the spine. Soon after its invention, it became the last word in refinement for simplified fine bindings and small editions. With its combination of fine goatskin and beautiful pastepaper covers, it is often the first leather binding that students learn to make across northern Europe.
First, students will sew their signatures on frayed-out hemp cords. Then they'll make the special Scandinavian ‘hooked’ endpaper and a ‘lapped’ paper hollow. Thin millboard is used for the covers, which are attached with adhesive to the hollow and cords, making the structure solid but flexible.
There are several variations on the traditional millimeter binding, depending on where the leather is applied. In class the three main styles will be made: the first has leather on the spine and corners, the second has leather at the head and tail edge, and the third has leather at the spine and fore-edge. The top edges are decorated and headbands attached. Students will learn three methods of edge decoration: the simple solid color wash; the painted edge; and the graphite edge. In addition, three kinds of headbands will be attached: stuck-on cloth; leather wrapped; and two-color silk-sewn.Finally, the bindings will be tooled using three different techniques: blind, carbon and gold.
Taken together these three bindings make a very handsome set of models which beautifully show off the elegance and refinement of Danish binding, and by working on three books at once this class is a very good way of honing skills through repetition.
Materials to Bring
Students are encouraged to bring their personal bookbinding toolkit, especially scalpels and paring knives, if available.
About the Instructor
Dominic Riley (he/him) s an internationally renowned bookbinder, artist, lecturer and teacher. He has his bindery in England, from where he travels across the UK teaching and lecturing. He spends part of the year teaching in San Francisco and across the USA. His work is mostly restoration and Design Binding, for which he has won many prizes in the Designer Bookbinders competition. He was elected Fellow of DB in 2008. His bindings are in collections worldwide, including the British Library, the Grolier Club in New York and the San Francisco Public Library. In 2013 he won first prize, the Sir Paul Getty Award, in the International Bookbinding Competition. Dominic is President of the Society of Bookbinders.
He has taught masterclasses in the USA, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, at the Centro del Bel Libro in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Canada.
Past Student Reviews
“The class was great fun and Dominic is an engaging instructor.”
“Dominic’s teaching engages every student in being able to learn and complete the tasks of book making. He is encouraging and makes all things possible.”
“I learned more about working with leather from Dominic than I imagined would be possible in a short course. An absolutely outstanding experience!”
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):
$770
Prerequisite:
Bookbinding Core 1-4 or equivalent experience sewing and binding books. Students new to SFCB will be asked to provide samples of their work.
Class sessions:
Monday-Friday, July 28-August 1, 2025
9:30 am-5:30 pm
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.