#5012 - The Medieval Binding, November 11-13, with Karen Hanmer

The Medieval Binding

Friday, November 11 from 9 am to 5 pm

Saturday, November 12 from 9 am to 5 pm

Sunday, November 13 from 9 am to 5 pm

Fee $325 plus a $90 materials fee

The Medieval binding may be the archetypal book: heavy wooden boards, partially or fully covered in leather, prominent bands on the spine, held shut by straps terminating in metal clasps.Though the materials differ, the construction of these bindings is surprisingly similar to how a fine leather binding is made today. Paper has replaced parchment for the text block; thick, dense paper has replaced wood for the boards; and the sewing is now often done on flat supports to present a smooth spine. The sewing supports are still laced into the boards, the boards still nest into the shoulder but with a different profile, spine linings still provide support though they now stop at the edges of the spine rather than extending onto the boards to function as levers to aid in opening. Carefully formed corners are now designed to be invisible rather than merely protect, endbands are now decorative only instead of structural elements that lace into the boards. Clasps are no longer necessary to hold the book closed.

In this three-day workshop, students will construct a small book with many features typical of an early Medieval binding: Text block sewn on double supports; wooden boards shaped all around, with special attention given to the inside spine edge to match the text block’s shoulder, then laced on and pegged; sewn headbands; covered in full alum-tawed leather; strap and pin closure.

Note: this is a three-day class Friday, November through Sunday, November 13, 2016. This is a fast-paced workshop for students who already have experience with traditional binding. Students should be comfortable sewing on cords and have successfully made books on their own outside a workshop setting.

Instructor: Karen Hanmer

Karen Hanmer’s artist-made books are physical manifestations of personal essays intertwining history, culture, politics, science and technology. She utilizes both traditional and contemporary book structures, and the work is often playful in content or format. See more of her work on her website at: karenhanmer.com

Hanmer is winner of the Jury Prize for Binding in the 2009 Helen Warren DeGolyer American Bookbinding Competition. One of only eight graduates of the American Academy of Bookbinding’s Fine Binding program, Hanmer has studied with many notable fine binders. She holds a degree in Economics from Northwestern University.

Workshop Refund Policy: Students must submit a refund request at least 7 days before the start date of a class to be issued a full (100%) refund. Requests submitted between 7 days and the start date of a class will be eligible for a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued on the day a class begins, or following the first class (if it meets multiple times).

Classes missed by students cannot be refunded or rescheduled, and makeup classes will not be provided to students who miss a regularly scheduled class. Classes with insufficient enrollment may be cancelled prior to the first class. Every effort will be made to notify the student regarding cancellation within 3 days before the first class.

If BookArtsLA cancels the class, the student will receive a full refund.