Designer Bookbinders & The Society of Bookbinders Joint Workshops, 2023-2024

We are delighted to announce the 2023-24 season of DB & SoB Joint Workshops.

This year, as usual, the workshops offer a range of topics suitable for different levels of experience and interest and take place over a weekend in venues around the country. Many are in the tutor's own studio and all tutors are established, experienced teachers.

We have managed to keep the fees for this year's programme at the same level as last year; £185 for members of either Society and £205 for non-members and hope you agree they represent excellent value. * Full Details are on both Societies' web sites, but for a quick taste of what's on offer take a look at our listing below.

*Bursary help may be available;
DB members please contact secretary@designerbookbinders.org.uk
SoB members please contact vicechair@societyofbookbinders.com

If you belong to both societies you should apply to only one of them for a bursary.

25th-26th November 2023 Course Full, waiting list only
Millimetre BInding, Dominic Riley
Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2NW
Scandinavian elegance embodied. This workshop is a good introduction to working with leather, both by hand with a knife, and a using a paring machine.

10th-11th February 2024 Everybody Loves a Box, Lori Sauer
Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 6HJ
We are all familiar with the slipcase and the clamshell box. Both are important for protecting special bindings, but if you have budget constraints or a quick deadline then this is the perfect workshop for you.

16th-17th March 2024
Paper covered In-boards binding, Arthur Green,
Green's Books, Worcestershire WR8 0EA
The workshop celebrates this early 19th century style. Students will make a model, from folding sections and sewing 2-up on a sewing frame to round-ing and backing, lacing on boards and covering.

13th-14th April 2024
Sharpen up! Peter Jones
Kelsall Community Centre, CW6 0SB
For some, sharpening tools can seem daunting; this short course aims to give you a little theory, some guidelines and advice on getting tools sharp initially, keeping them sharp, and some confidence.

18th-19th May
Over the Edge and Across the Boards, Kate Holland
Corsely, Wiltshire BA12 7PA
There are thirteen different planes on a book where you can express your creativity, and edges and leather comprise over half of them.

8th-9th June 2024
Endpapers for Fine Bindings Kathy Abbott
Barony Centre, West Kilbride, KA23 9AR
A workshop aimed at intermediate and advanced learners, designed to develop your skills, accuracy and cleanliness when making endpapers for fine bindings.

Places are limited and bookings are taken via the DB web site. https://designerbookbinders.org.uk/education/designer-bookbinders-society-of-bookbinders-joint-workshops/

If you are unable to book online, or for any queries, please contact nesta.jointworkshops@gmail.com 07984 001830.

These workshops offer structured, intensive learning in a friendly and supportive environment and we really hope you find something of interest here to tempt you!

Nesta Davies (nesta.jointworkshops@gmail.com) (DB)
Joshua James (joshua.jointworkshops@gmail.com) (SoB)

City Lit Courses in Bookbinding,
Book Arts, Conservation & Repair Autumn and Winter 2023-24
Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BA

Bookbinding

Bookbinding: Japanese books and boxes
Course Date: VD416 Thursday 23rd November - 14th December 2023
10:3016:30
Tutor: Sue Doggett
Explore the elegant sewing patterns found in Japanese binding. Learn how to make books, make a foldout case, sew traditional and contemporary designs, and experiment with creating your own. This course is suitable for beginners.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00

Beginners' bookbinding: evening course
Course Dates: Fri 12th January - 15th March 2024
18:00-21:00
Tutor: Royston Haward
Explore the exciting world of craft bookbinding in this comprehensive introduction to the letterpress book. Learn about the tools and techniques required to bind a book with unique hand decorated papers.
Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00

Visible stitches, spectacular spines: experiments in exposed sewing
Course Date Fri 1st March - Saturday 22nd March 2024
10:30-16:30
Tutor: Sue Doggett
Explore the creative possibilities of visible sewing in bookbinding through structure and materials. Experiment with wrapping, folding and piercing to produce a set of books where the spine is the star!
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00

Bookbinding: 10 projects for beginners
Course Dates: Thursday 25th April - 27th June 2024
18:00-21:00
Tutor: Kate Rochester
An exciting range of graded projects to introduce you to bookbinding. Come armed with enthusiasm and walk away with a stack of small books and a heap of information on materials, tools and techniques.
Full fee 389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00

Bookbinding: simple leather binding
Course Dates: Thursday 25th April - 16th May 2024
10:30 - 16:30
Tutor: Ina Baumeister
Discover how leather, combined with simple sewing and cutting techniques can create a wonderfully flexible and stylish bindings. Create books with folded and crossed structure covers and include some decorative elements to personalise your work.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00

Techniques and skills

Bookbinding: gold tooling on paper
Course Dates: 16th-19th April 2024
10:30-16:30
Tutor: Tracey Rowledge
Learn how to develop a language with gold tooling on paper using hand finishing tools, BS Glaire and loose gold leaf. For all levels, from beginners to those with experience in gold tooling using hand finishing tools and gold leaf.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00

Fine binding masterclass 1: endpapers
Course Date: VD327 Friday 1st-15th December 2023
10:30-16:30
Tutor: Kathy Abbott
This masterclass is aimed at intermediate and higher level learners and is designed to develop your skills in making endpapers for fine bindings. You will be taught how to make three different types of endpapers, all with their own suitability for bindings. A chance to improve your skills, accuracy and cleanliness when laminating endpapers.
Not suitable for beginners.
Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £249.00

Fine binding masterclass II: rough edge gilding
Course Dates: 16th-17th March 2024
10:30-16:30
Tutor: Kathy Abbott
A weekend masterclass to learn the ancient art of rough edge gilding. Gilding not only adds a luxurious sparkle to the edges of your pages but also protects the edge from dust. Rough edge gilding is not rough at all, it just retains the look of individual pages, not a solid block. Limited class size due to the content of the course. Suitable for those with bookbinding experience.
Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £299.00

Book Arts

Creative arts for bookbinding III: papercutting
Course Date: VD441 Saturday 9th December 2023
10:30-16:30
Tutor: Lara Mantell
Learn how to manipulate paper into abstract or representational designs. Paper cutting and folding techniques encourage you to explore silhouettes, pattern, imagery, colour and scale to develop your own approach. Techniques can be adapted for use in book arts and bookbinding projects to create pages, covers and structures.
Full fee £ 69.00 Senior fee £ 69.00 Concession £ 69.00

Enquiries: visualarts@citylit.ac.uk
Enrolments Phone line: 020 7831 7831 Monday-Friday 10:00-18:00 (last calls taken at 17:45)

Inperson classes 2023, with the Dragon Press Bindery in Carmarthen, Wales

We are happy to offer the following programme of tuition in our studio near Carmarthen.

Beginner level no experience required All materials and tools for these Saturday daytime or Thursday evening classes will be provided. Just bring yourself and an apron, or wear clothes you don't mind getting mucky!

Simple screwpost album/scrapbook
Saturday 18th November 2023, 10.00-16.00
Learn how to make a protective yet elegant album for treasured contents, with interchangeable pages and a full cloth, or cloth and decorative paper, cover.
£70 plus £10 materials fee per person.

Christmas crackers
Saturday 2nd December 2023, 10.00-13.00
Have fun creating unique, handmade crackers for presents or your own celebrations.
£35 plus £10 materials fee per person but you will need to provide your own gifts for inclusion.

Intermediate level For these three or five day classes, accommodation (including meals) is available in our home on a first come/first served basis for non local students. Please contact us early if you are interested, otherwise there are several nearby B&Bs.

Victorian style letter folder
Monday 13th November - Wednesday 15th November 2023
Become more familiar with 19th Century trade techniques in producing this superior portfolio, made to house loose documents and ephemera while resembling a period quarter leather binding.
£285 plus £30 materials fee per person.

Please see www.dpbindery.com for more details.

Evening Course at Book Works, London

Shepherds Bookbinding Course, Wiltshire

A varied and exciting list of Bookbinding courses planned for the months January December 2023 2022 at the Daffodil Barn, Wiltshire.

November 2023
10th C&G Level 3 Edge Decoration with Kate Holland
13th-17th C&G Level 1 Unit 119 Photograph Albums and Slip case with Mylyn McColl

December
4th-8th C&G Level 1 Unit 118 Pamphlet & Multi section Bindings with Mylyn McColl
12th-14th C&G Level 3 Repairing a Leather bound book (Leather reback)with Lester Capon

The courses can be found by visiting www.bookbinding.co.uk/Course/coursetimetable.html.

Although the courses are linked to the C&G qualifications and standards it is not a requirement to register for City & Guilds qualification when undertaking a course.

For all enquiries and/or to book a place contact Wendy Lagden at wl@bookbinding.co.uk

Otter Bookbinding, Surrey

Further information please visit otterbookbinding.com

Alan Fitch Binder of Books & Teacher of Bookbinding, in Rural Norfolk

There are available a variety of 1 to 1 courses, which run from April to September, offering the opportunity to learn in an idyllic location and relaxed atmosphere. All necessary materials required for each course are included in the course fee. Course dates are by mutual agreement.

Over the period of each course you will be guided through all the aspects of bookbinding, relevant to each course. There are at present four courses available:

5 Day Courses. Each course runs from Monday Friday (09.00-17.00).

Basic Course This course has been designed for the beginner and covers all the basics of binding a book.

Refresher/Repair Course This course is designed for the student who:
Has completed the Basic Course but would like to spend more time developing their basic skills before moving on to finer things.
Has had some experience in the past of binding a case bound, round and backed book but would like to refresh their skills.
Would like to develop their skills in repairing old cloth cased books.

Full Leather Course This course is for the person who wants to develop their bookbinding skills and progress to binding in leather. (To attend this course it is important that you have attend the Basic Course or something similar.)

2 Day Course

Bookmaking Course This course has been designed to allow you to spend two days making a variety of types and styles of book, which require very little specialist equipment or tools.

Accommodation is available

For further detail please telephone +44 (0)1953 718348,
or view the web site at www.abinderofbooks.co.uk

Fully equipped bindery in Winchester for Amateur Bookbinders

Southern Bookcrafts Club is unique in operating a fully equipped bindery in central Winchester for amateur bookbinders.

The club was founded more than 30 years ago and our purpose remains the same to provide our members with extensive working space, comprehensive equipment, material, facilities and training to develop their bookcraft skills. Club membership is available to all and enables members access to the bindery at any time except when training is being undertaken. For bookbinders wishing to start or develop their business, club membership provides a low risk, low cost facility that avoids the need for heavy investment or substantial overheads.

Our other primary purpose is to keep the craft of bookbinding alive by introducing it to as many people as we can in an affordable and accessible way. So, for nonmembers we also offer a range of highly regarded introductory courses including taster sessions, beginner and intermediate training courses.

Club days on Tuesday and Friday mornings provide a great opportunity for members to share their knowledge and ideas with some enjoyable and good humoured conversation!

Further information is available at www.southernbookcrafts.org or via training@southernbookcrafts.org

Black Fox Bindery Workshops, London

One of the reasons why I fell in love with the craft of bookbinding is because you never stop learning. From Book & Paper Conservation to Book Arts is a huge arc under which lies a multitude of subjects, techniques and skills. Black Fox Bindery offers a variety of teaching resources from taster courses to intensive, from one day to long term.

The bindery is fully equipped with presses, hot foil blocking machines, paring machines, tools and materials. There is enough space to accommodate 5 students comfortably at any one time and is fully insured.

Workshops and Courses
Over the previous years Black Fox has hosted a selection of successful workshops, covering a variety of subjects and techniques. Although these haven't followed an annual schedule I am more than happy to organise different courses throughout the year when time allows and I am very happy to take requests.

Black Fox Bindery also plays host to guest binders or makers who may not have space of their own to teach. This is a great opportunity for all involved; I get to see a new teaching approach, my students have access to different techniques and the guest gets paid to pass on their skills.

One to One Tuition
One to one tuition has been invaluable to my personal progress in bookbinding and I emphasis the importance of it for focused skill and technique development. You may have a certain amount of bookbinding experience but may feel that there is room for improvement or you could be a total beginner wishing for concentrated time within a bindery. I can offer one to one tuition tailored to your needs.

I can provide tuition on a daily basis or as part of a structured longer term course. Costs are £150 a day, with working hours usually from 10am to 5pm with an hour for lunch. For further information regarding one to one tuition please contact me (Nicky Oliver) at: nicky@blackfoxbindery.com

Bench Rental
The Black Fox Bench Rental service is provided for those who are fed up of practising bookbinding on their kitchen worktops and lacking the equipment that they need. It is an opportunity to come into a fully equipped bindery to work on personal projects whether it be a job, competition piece or a gift for example. The cost of this service is £55 a day which includes access to the equipment, presses, tools and a little guidance from me if needed.

Further information and booking is available from
www.blackfoxbindery.com/workshops

Scottish Borders

One-to-one or two-to-one tuition in a private studio located in a beautiful rural setting in the Scottish Borders: close to Berwick on Tweed with easy access by road or rail.

Personal tuition from an award winning craftsman! All tuition tailored to suit the skills level of the individual student. If there is a particular technique or a skill you are looking to develop or improve, or if you are a complete beginner taking your first steps into the art & craft of this ancient discipline, contact Mark Ramsden via bookmanconservation.co.uk, or call 01361 882028 or email me bookman@btinternet.com.

Teaching Opportunities at the London Centre for Book Arts

Come and teach at the LCBA! The centre is looking to add more workshops to their schedule. If you have an idea for a workshop to teach at the Centre, please let them know by filling in the form on their web site.

You can see examples of their current workshops at londonbookarts.eventbrite.co.uk

The Maureen Duke Educational Award

The Norie Trust is a small charitable trust based in the South West of England. The Trust funds various projects, many of which are associated with literature and the arts. The Trust also assists community based projects which aim to improve the quality of people's lives.

The Trust has generously offered the Society funds of £2,000 a year for the next 5 years to fund an educational award to assist professionals in the book field. The Trust wishes to recognise Maureen Duke's inspirational teaching and dedication to education and the award will therefore be known as The Maureen Duke Educational Award.

The recipient of the award each year should be a bookbinder, book conservator, book restorer or book artist who has worked professionally in the U.K. for the last two years prior to the award. They should be intending to continue to work professionally, preferably in the UK.

SoB's Education & Training Task Force has been asked by the Trust to administer the award and after discussion it has been agreed that the award panel will consist of the Chair of the Society and the Chair of E&T. The applicant will be required to submit the following:
Hand written letter of application
CV
A brief outline of the nature of study wishing to be undertaken, indicating how this will enhance their work, and their plans for the future
Full Breakdown of costs fees, travel and subsistence
Images of work completed in the 2 years prior to application
Two references

The recipient will be required to write a report of their study and experience gained for others in the field.

Applications should be sent to: Claire Redfern, 21 Moat Way, Goring by Sea, West Sussex, BN12 4DR.

An Introduction to Bookbinding with Mark Cockram at Studio 5, London

Case Binding

Rationale This module develops the students' ability to use basic materials such as cloth and a number of machine made papers. It will allow students the opportunity to explore differing adhesives and covering techniques in the production of case bindings.

Aims
to develop hand skills related to paper and cloth work and hand foil work
to enhance professional skills, awareness and responsibility
to stimulate creativity in design
to develop awareness of choice of suitable styles

Learning Outcome On completion the student will be able to:
select suitable styles of case binding
fold sections
be familiar with various sewing techniques
forward the book to the required standard
make a case binding including the use of modern design techniques

Assessment Strategy Assessment will be in line with the STUDIO 5 criteria and will be evident through examination and discussion of 5 finished items of work. The student will demonstrate an ability to apply the techniques to a good standard and understand the reasons for their use. The Module is delivered over 6 days with all materials included. Fee £700

Bradel Binding

Rationale This module develops an awareness of strength and structure specific to this type of binding. It will give students the opportunity to work with leather and apply the relevant techniques involved in the production of the disappearing spine Bradel binding.

Aims
to introduce the student to leather binding and manipulation
to identify the correct materials specific to the binding style
to understand the need for and limitations of the binding style
to apply the relevant techniques
to assess the suitability of the binding style

Learning Outcome On completion the student will be able to:
select suitable text blocks in need of this structure
forward the book to the required standard
make a Bradel binding including the use of modern design techniques

Assessment Strategy Assessment will be in line with the STUDIO 5 criteria and will be evident through examination and discussion of 1 finished item of work. The student will demonstrate an ability to apply the techniques to a good standard and understand the reasons for their use. The Module is delivered over 6 days with all materials included. Fee £700

Box and Enclosure Making

Rationale This module is intended to develop the students ability in making 3 styles of boxes for the books made during the 2 previous modules. The student will be able to select and use suitable materials and incorporate style and design ideas.

Aims
to identify the correct materials specific to the box style and use
to explore design and material manipulation
to apply the relevant techniques
to understand internal measuring

Learning Outcome On completion the student will be able to:
select suitable box styles and construction methods
apply the techniques for making boxes including a two tray drop back box
apply techniques suitable for various uses

Assessment Strategy Assessment will be in line with the STUDIO 5 criteria and will be evident through examination and discussion of 3 finished items of work. The student will demonstrate an ability to apply the techniques to a high standard and understand the reasons for their use. The student will be expected to be able to demonstrate and rationalise design, process and protection. The Module is delivered over 6 days with all materials included. Fee £700

Artist's Book or Complete Book (Option A)

Rationale This module is intended to develop the students' ability to explore print, book manipulation and creative journeys with the book.

Aims
to identify differing print techniques
to explore the book as a means of artistic and social expression
to apply the relevant techniques, working practices and mediums

Learning Outcome On completion the student will be able to:
select suitable print techniques and mixed media
forward the book to the required standard and manipulate as required
to understand the relationship of the artist and the book

Assessment Strategy Assessment will be in line with the STUDIO 5 criteria and will be evident through examination and discussion of 2 finished items of work. The student will demonstrate an ability to apply the techniques to a high standard and understand the reasons for their use. The student will be expected to be able to demonstrate and rationalise working processes. The Module is delivered over 6 days with some materials included. Fee £700

Introduction to Contemporary Bradel Design Binding (Option B)

Rationale The Introduction to Contemporary Bradel Design Binding gives students the opportunity to make a Design Binding using contemporary and traditional techniques and materials.

Aims
to expand existing skills and techniques whilst learning relevant traditional skills
to explore Design Binding with contemporary arts practices
to apply the relevant techniques, working practices and mediums

Learning Outcome On completion the student will be able to:
select suitable construction methods forward the book to the required standard and manipulate as required to boldly go where no one has been before

Assessment Strategy Assessment will be in line with the STUDIO 5 criteria and will be evident through examination and discussion of 2 finished items of work. The student will demonstrate an ability to apply the techniques to a high standard and understand the reasons for their use. The student will be expected to be able to demonstrate and rationalise working processes. The Module is delivered over 14 days with basic materials included. Fee £1,400

The STUDIO 5 BEGINNERS COURSE is delivered in 3 modules of six days each. Upon successful completion the student will be issued with a Studio 5 Certificate. The fee is £2,100.00 per person. The fee covers all tuition, hand tool use, workshop equipment as required and materials as outlined in the module information. A 50% non returnable deposit is required to confirm booking, full payment being made no less than 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the course. The modules can be delivered in a block or days to suit the individual student. Two further modules, options A and B are individually priced.

To book a place or for more information please contact us at:
Mark Cockram
Studio Five
First Floor The Mews
4652 Church Road
Barnes, London, SW13 0DQ
Tel: 0208 563 2158 https://studio5bookbindingandarts.blogspot.com/

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