The San Francisco Center for the Book has begun to offer in-person instruction once again. As of July 2021, we have successfully completed the first full Week-long Bookbinding Intensive series after COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted. All classes are being held in the airy, spacious print studio, where students are able to have more than 6′ of space between them. We are using an overhead projector to demonstrate detailed tasks such as endbands and primary sewing techniques. Because of persistent COVID outbreaks nation- and worldwide, we are requiring that students be vaccinated (honor system) and wear masks throughout our in-person classes. We look forward to offering more in-person instruction this fall. Come join us!!
Week-long Bookbinding Core Intensive
SFCB offers its Bookbinding Core in four segments spread out over five days of classroom time. The Core classes are: the Coptic Binding, Flat-back Link-Stitch with Casing, Limp Paper Binding, and Classic Rounded Spine. You may now take these classes as separate classes, or as an innovative week-long intensive. The week-long intensive includes all four classes in the Core in an easy-to-digest, continuous stream of five dreamy, wonderful days spent binding your favorite books. What could be better? You will become more confident with gluing, with sewing headbands, cutting binder’s board; even the basic elements of edge decoration are included. If you are coming from afar and would like assistance with logistics, contact me or ask the lovely professionals at the Center when you call 415-565-0545 to register.
Monday through Friday, 9:30-5:30; August 9-13. More information and registration for Core I; to register for the full series, you must call 415-565-0545.
Leather Pocket Book
This is a two-session in-person class: Saturday and Sunday, 9:30-5:30, August 28-29, 2021.
This course is an introduction to books made with leather. Over two days, we will make a simple, refined book with a full leather cover. This will allow students to use skills gained in the Orientation to Leather class in a binding project with beautiful and admirable results. The Leather Pocket Book is based on the style of binding known as limp leather because of its flexible covers. This style was used for devotional texts, field notes, and other types of companion books one might carry along everywhere. To decorate the covers, we will blind tool them using geometric patterns. If you are interested in learning how and why to bind books with leather, this is the class for you.
The prerequisite for this class is Orientation to Leather. Unfortunately we are not able to offer that class this semester, so you must have taken Orientation to Leather prior to COVID shutdowns. If you feel you may already have the skills and experience for Leather Pocket Book, please contact me via email.
August 28-29, 2021, 9:30-5:30; Register/more info
Past Student Reviews
Here is an article one of my students wrote about his experiences in the Week-Long Core.
“The knowledge of the instructor and her ability to recognize the skill level of the students was key to the class. Juliayn was able to assist each individual according to their skill level with professionalism and patience, making a great classroom experience.”
“Juliayn was a great teacher. She was patient and also good at rolling with whatever came up. I appreciated her attitude to the learning process (that we need to practice these things before getting them right) while also emphasizing best practices and techniques for bookbinding. I enjoyed the time when she would deviate from the actual binding of the book to give us a mini lecture on the field, on adhesives, paper quality, where to buy materials, history of the art, etc.”
“I loved the instructor’s calm manner and accessibility- plus she has a great sense of humor, something much appreciated during stressful maneuvers.”
“Juliayn is always so cheerful, funny, organized, and patient! I love her classes! She teaches good practices which promote good habits.”
“Can’t say enough of Juliayn’s patience, composure, and professionalism. I struggled with several steps and she was always there to help me with her smile and kind heart.”
“Love her sense of humor and friendliness, as well as her depth of knowledge. Very happy that I got to take this class.”
“Thanks to Juliayn’s encouragement and excellent teaching, I was finally able to pare leather without tearing giant holes in it. ”
