Michael Burke: An Italian Paper Case

Flexible or limp bindings have been made widely in Europe for many hundreds of years. About one in ten medieval books had a limp binding. Limp bindings were made extensively for libraries and archives. Over the course of the sixteenth century, the covers of limp bindings became more commonly reinforced with pasteboard inserts but the fully limp structure remained well used. Its simplicity flexibility and relative cheapness kept it popular. In our workshop we shall sew the text block onto alum tawed thongs, line the spine and then shape and cut the handmade paper case to fit our book. Then we’ll lace the cover onto the text block and if time allows add ribbons to close. 

Materials: £15 est.

Tools list: please bring along your usual tool kit, but the following will be required: finishing press, ruler, pencil, craft knife, scissors, needles, awl, PVA glue and waste paper for glueing out, glue brush, bonefolder, cutting mat.