Learn Two Techniques of Book Binding in Two Days

Instructors Robin Leenhouts and Amanda Determan will Lead this Two-Day Workshop, Aug 27 – 28, $280 includes all materials, limited to 6 participants

Here’s a great opportunity to learn the centuries-old craft of bookbinding. Make two books you can use to write thoughts, collect quotes, poems or lists. The unlined paper inside can be used for sketching, collage or whatever makes your heart sing. Make one for yourself, and gift the other to someone special. Once you are shown the method, you’ll have no trouble at all setting up your own book-binding space at home.

Ready for a relaxing weekend of making artful hardbound books? Bring a friend or meet new friends while learning a new artform

Over the course of the two day session, you will learn the creative process behind two traditional bookbinding styles and leave the class with two handmade books that you bound yourself.  You will also have the opportunity to learn about a number of different bookbinding techniques, with samples available to browse.

Amanda Determan will lead Saturday’s coptic bookbinding lesson, and Robin Leenhouts will lead Sunday’s session on hardcover bookbinding.  Both days will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., with a lunch break.  We’ll supply beverages throughout the day but participants should plan on bringing a lunch or ordering take-out from a downtown cafe.

All supplies needed to complete the books will be provided!  Once registered, you will receive a list of items you may wish to bring to add some extra personalization to your handmade books.

Robin specializes in case bound books: the final product is a traditional hardcover book.  The pages are prepared in signatures (typically 4-8 pieces of paper folded in half, depending on the thickness of paper and desired final thickness of the book) that are stitched together using a “long stitch” technique.  The covers are made of bookboard, a special kind of dense cardboard that is less prone to warping.  Bookbinders wrap case bound books in decorative paper (or sometimes a thin fabric) – Robin often uses prints that Maureen has shared with her from her printmaking studio practice.  Finally, a special bookbinding cloth (typically cotton, linen, or buckram) is used to cover the spine and add extra durability.

Robin’s books are heirloom pieces that deserve their place on the coffee table.  These books would make beautiful journals, photo albums, sketchbooks – the opportunities are endless.

Amanda will introduce participants to coptic bookbinding, which is one of the oldest forms of bookbinding: it was used as early as the second century in Egypt.  Coptic binding begins with signatures, similar to the case bound technique, but features an open spine.  In coptic bookbinding, the covers are also stitched directly to the pages, eliminating the need for glue.  Coptic-bound books can be opened 360 degrees and will lay completely flat at every spread.  Because they have no spine, they are inherently more fragile than traditional hardcover books, but many bookbinders love the coptic form for the decorative opportunities it presents.  With this form, many book elements that are otherwise hidden can be dressed up: the thread that binds it all together can be ornamented with beads or ornate stitching patterns, and the spines of the individual signatures can also be decorated.

The workshop is limited to six participants so our instructors can maximize the opportunity for hands-on interaction with each student. COVID precautions: To make sure workshop participants are as safe as possible, we will be set up with lots of room for each participant. Instructors are vaccinated and boosted and we have excellent air filtration in the classroom as well as fans to create good air flow.

See Details about this Workshop Below the Example Photos

DETAILS:

• • Date: August 27 and 28, 2022
  • Time: 9am to 4pm (plan to arrive at 8:45 to settle in with a drink before the workshop starts.)
  • Tuition: $280 includes all supplies
  • Location: 1+1=1 Classroom (rear portion of the gallery)
  • Address: 434 North Last Chance Gulch in Helena Montana
  • We will provide snacks and beverages. Please bring your own lunch or you can get lunch to-go from a downtown cafe´.
  • We have an excellent HEPA air filter and exhaust fans running in the classroom all the time. We also have lots of room for all participants to spread out in the classroom. Our instructors and all gallery staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. If you would be more comfortable, please feel free to bring a face mask.