The Medieval Girdle Book- Friday evening September 25 (6pm to 9pm) and all day Saturday and Sunday September 26-27 (9am to 6pm)

The girdle book is a Medieval binding featuring a long extension of leather which could be attached to a traveler’s belt. The leather extension terminates in a decorative knot.

In this workshop, students will construct a girdle book on the foundation of a typical Medieval binding: Text block sewn on double raised 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 vividly-colored leather; strap and pin closure, simple bosses at the corners.

In order to complete this binding during the allowed time, this workshop has some additional requirements:

1. students must attend Friday evening to sew the text block from 6 pm to 9 pm.
2. This is a fast-paced workshop for advanced-level students who are experienced with traditional binding. Students should be comfortable sewing on cords, have experience covering bindings with laced-on boards, and have successfully made books on their own outside a workshop setting.

Fee for this class is $350 plus a $90 materials fee payable to the instructor.

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.