SoB/DB Joint Workshops 2024–25

In conjunction with Designer Bookbinders the Society organises an annual series of weekend workshops. These workshops offer structured, intensive learning from established teachers and are designed to stress the ‘hands-on’ approach where students complete a structure or technique following demonstrations from the teacher. The size of each workshop is limited to allow students to benefit from individual attention.

Welcome to our 2024-2025 series of Workshops offered jointly by Designer Bookbinders and The Society of Bookbinders

These workshops offer structured, intensive learning from established teachers in a friendly and cooperative environment. Places are limited to allow maximum learning and individual attention.

We have kept the course fees for this year’s programme at the same level as last year and hope you agree they present excellent value.  Fees for each workshop are £185 for members or either Society, £205 for non members. There is a materials cost for most workshops which is payable to the tutor during the weekend. Bursary help may be available for members of the Societies: please contact db.jointworkshops@gmail.com or treasurer@designerbookbinders.org.uk as appropriate. If you are a member of both Societies you should apply to only one of them for a bursary.

Please ensure you include “SoB/DB Joint Workshops” in the subject line of any email enquiry.

To book a place on any of the workshops please visit https://designerbookbinders.org.uk/education/designer-bookbinders-society-of-bookbinders-joint-workshops/

For any queries or further information regarding the workshops, contact db.jointworkshops@gmail.com.  

Two Tomorrow’s Past binding structures

Tracey Rowledge

The Daffodil Barn, Unit 2, Woodborough Yard, Woodborough, Wiltshire, SN9
5PF.

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

On this course you will learn how to make two paper-covered book structures designed by Tracey.  Whilst learning these book structures you will explore how best to learn your craft, harness your creativity and develop the quality of your work.

Taking a new course is also a time to reflect on past masterclasses, to review and to see the knowledge and the skills you’ve accrued as a vital resource and reference point: without this looking back, it’s not possible to move forward as a maker. The aim of this course is to see bookbinding as a creative medium: focusing as much on the why, as on the how to, with the aim that you too may feel more able to create your own paper-covered book structures in the future.

This workshop is suitable for binders with some experience.

Materials charge of not more than £25, payable during the workshop.

Tracey studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths’ College, London, and Fine Bookbinding at Guildford College, Surrey. Her practice combines elements of both fine art and the applied art of bookbinding. She works to commission, teaches and collaborates with makers from other disciplines. Moving between disciplines enables her to keep her way of thinking open, despite the technically demanding process of bookbinding.

Tracey has exhibited internationally and her work is held in many private and public collections. She has received various awards, undertaken two residencies with David Clarke (silversmith). She is also a founding member of the international bookbinding group Tomorrow’s Past.

For more information about Tracey go to: www.traceyrowledge.com

This workshop has a maximum of 8 students

Magical Hexafold Binding

Janie Burnett-Bleach

The Hub, Sleaford Navigation Wharf, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 7TW

15-16 February 2025

Six ways to open a book!

Janie’s Hexafold book was born from a combination of researching medieval books and her love of creative binding. This 6-in-1 book is all about the clever construction and is really quite magical!

Janie has devised a book that is perfect for secret keeping, journalling, sketching or anything else your imagination can conjure.

We will be using tea stained papers to create ‘aged’ text blocks before constructing them in six directions with decorated boards, embellishments and closures. Taking a creative approach to craft book binding; this workshop will show you how to create a delightful and decorative hard backed book like no other.

Suitable for students with some experience or those wanting to get creative.

Materials charge of £15-30 depending on embellishments used, payable during the workshop.

Janie is an independent designer, specialising in decorative paper design and bookmaking kits for the craft industry. Graduating with an FDA in Fine Art followed by a BA Hons in Drawing and applied Arts, Janie is also a qualified further education teacher. Her love of book making began many years ago after attending a short workshop creating simple pamphlet stitched notebooks. Largely self-taught in binding, Janie brings a refreshing creative flair to bookmaking with an emphasis on decoration and fun bindings. She has taught and inspired hundreds of crafters over the years to take this approach to binding through demonstrating at numerous shows, teaching at retreats, workshops, cruises and even monthly on live TV.

This workshop has a maximum of 10 students

Dust Jacket Repair

Michael Burke and Dominic Riley

Blake Lane, Sandiway, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2 NW

15 – 16th March 2025

In the world of antiquarian books, it is often the case that books are more highly valued when the original dust jacket is present. However, these are often damaged; stained, torn, weakened, and with areas of loss. In this workshop you will learn the fundamentals of dust jacket repair including cleaning, washing, lining with Japanese paper, repairing tears, filling in loss and colour toning the repairs. Michael will teach on the first day using standard paper conservation techniques to stabilize and mend the paper. On the second day Dominic will introduce you to the art of colour matching using acrylics and/or pencils. Taken together these techniques ensure a sympathetic, conservationally sound and invisible repair.

Michael trained in bookbinding with Dominic and paper conservation with Karen Zukor, both in California. In addition to his work as a paper conservator, he specializes in the structures of ancient, early and medieval books. He holds an MA in book history from the University of London. Dominic studied bookbinding at the London College of Printing. As well as creating Design Bindings for collectors, he specializes in restoration, and is particularly known for his invisible repairs. He has won many prizes for his bindings, and is the proud winner (twice) of the Bernard Middleton award for restoration.

This workshop is suitable for all levels.

Materials charge of £25

This workshop has a maximum number of 6 students.

The Sliding Box

Diana Illingworth-Cook

Little West Hole, Newton St Petrock, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7LW

5-6 April 2025

Sometimes a book or an object demands a very special container. A box that makes a design statement of its own. The Sliding Box is just that. It is constructed with a hollow base and a lid with a curved underside which, when turned upside down, becomes the perfect way to display an open book. Participants will learn how to make and cover a hollow box with curves and angles.

This workshop is suitable for those with some box making experience.

Materials charge of not more than £12

Almost everything I know about box making I have learned from renowned box maker Cor Aerssens through many of his workshops both in The Netherlands and in Italy. In 2022 I taught my version of the Rising Book Box for SOB Western Region. Followed by the Hidden Compartment Box (2023). Based at my studio in Devon, I now focus my creative skills on evolving as a book artist. I’m having fun playing in a world of books, boxes, paper, paints, dyes & inks, glass, textiles, threads & yarn.

This workshop has a maximum number of 9 students

Hand Marbled Bookcloth

Freya Scott

Paperwilds, Unit 8, Lower Barns Business Park, Lower Barns Road, Ludlow SY8 4DS

17-18 May 2025

An intensive two-day workshop for those interested in marbling fabric and creating their own bookcloth. A chance to work with different fabrics to create unique designs using traditional marbling methods. You will be taught to marble on to ready-made bookcloth and then how to marble your own fabric . Once marbled you will be taught a few ways to back the fabric pieces ready to use for binding. Be prepared to learn fast and get a bit painty!

This workshop is suitable for those new to marbling, and those with some experience.

Materials charge of £30 – £35

Freya Scott is an internationally renowned marbler, having originally trained as a bookbinder. Working out of Ludlow, Shropshire, she now undertakes work for bookbinders and small presses, as well as interior designers and other artists.

This workshops has a maximum number of 6 students.

Case binding for Multiples

Roger Grech

21-22 June 2025

R Grech Bindery, 3-5 Wharf Street, Shipley, W Yorkshire BD17 7DW

On this workshop we’ll be making a classic quarter cloth, flat back case binding with a tailor-made slipcase. The weekend is particularly aimed at participants who are interested in creating multiple sets of a binding. Using good quality materials we’ll be working through the steps of construction and learning how to work out and repeat the process effectively for large or small runs.

Materials charge of not more than £20

Roger has been a Printmaker and Bookbinder for over thirty-five years. For the majority of his career Roger taught both disciplines at various colleges, including Bradford College, Leeds College of Art and York College. Roger now runs his own bindery, R.Grech Bindery, based in Shipley, West Yorkshire, where he works on limited editions for Fine Press Printers. Originally founded in 2011 under the name Papercut Bindery.

Maximum number of 7 students