Community Centre Kelsall

Hand-sewn end-bands form both a functional and decorative element to many types of bindings. On this one-day workshop, Kathy Abbott will talk about and show different types of endbands.  She will demonstrate how to sew a 'free-style' multi-coloured end-band with matching front bead, before you try it for yourself on your own book. Materials cost: £1 for the cores. Please bring with you: a paperback book or a blank book to practice sewing the endband on, finishing press or equivalent,…

Participants will make a Crossed Structure Binding, a useful, non-adhesive binding approach developed by Carmenchio Arregui. The text block is sewn directly onto the binding which could  be card (as in this workshop), leather or a number of other materials. There are a whole range of adaptations and versions of this structure so by learning the basics you will be able to experiment with designs and materials to suit your own needs. You will need to bring with you: cutting…

Any structure is only as strong as its weakest point. In bookbinding this inherently centres on the spine and the joints in the spine area. One specific area in the spine is the fold in the endpaper. Traditionally an endpaper has consisted of a folded sheet of paper tipped onto the first and last sections of the book and is therefore only as strong as the sheet of paper. To increase the strength in this area it is necessary to…

This simple paper structure was devised as a conservation binding for 17th century printed paper pamphlets. The non-adhesive structure provides a robust covering but enables the leaves to be removed easily if needed. It is particularly well suited to slim books where sewing on cords wouldn’t be appropriate, and although devised with conservation in mind, could quite easily be decorated and turned into an artist’s book.  Arthur will provide step-by-step instructions and will discuss the importance of the materials provided.…

  Stephen Glendenning: How Artists Have Challenged Publishing Conventions. 'The Book: It is perhaps one of the most significant and iconic design objects of western culture.  Working as a conservation bookbinder and while my work is to preserve material culture, I am also aware that western culture evolves and moves forward by a willingness to challenge conventions, question the norms and occasionally break the rules!' This lecture presents the findings of a two year research project that seeks to re-frame our…