All my bookbinding classes have now moved online. I am developing some very exciting offerings in this season of Shelter-in-Place. It has afforded me the opportunity to explore some short form topics which I’ve always wanted to teach in the past, but were too specific to teach outside of a longer project. It’s also allowed me to develop some more creative, intuitive projects that are just pure fancy. I hope you’ll join me!
Simple Two-Color Endbands
In this short class, we will focus on the most common endband to be found on bindings made by hand. Endbands no longer fulfill quite the same structural role they once did. However, they still add a delightful touch to any handmade binding and can accentuate various colors of bookcloth or marbled paper in the allover design of a book.
This is a brief skill-building class for anyone interested in fine bindings. While staying at home, why not practice a specific element of binding, so you can be more proficient when it comes time to integrate this technique into a project? It will be especially useful for those bookbinders who have some basic familiarity with endbands, but no prerequisites are required.
Materials to Bring:
- You will need something to sew the endband onto; if you don’t have a sewn textblock work-in-progress, you can practice on any paperback book.
- Two different colors multi-ply thread, preferably silk. NOT regular sewing thread; it will be too fine. Recommended source here (link is external). (Two colors is the minimum, but you can use as many as you like).
- Slim needles (get some that you can thread yourself)
- Scissors
- Two lengths of binding cord (link is external) or twine (about 2 inches/5 cm total; the cord should be no thicker than 1/8” or .3 cm); can substitute a thin strip of leather and/or parchment
- Small amount of PVA for rolling the cord
- Pins (as for dressmaking) or low-tack masking tape
- A finishing press, two heavy bricks, or vise to hold textblock upright. If you are unsure of whether your setup will work, please contact the instructor for guidance.
Optional/helpful to have:
- Needle threader that fits your needles
- Eyeglasses for close work or magnifying visor
- Thimble
- Small pliers
Workshop Fee: $55
Thursday, April 1, 4-6 pm. Register/more information
Gilded Paper Cross Structure
This is a two-session online class: Wednesdays, April 21 & 28, 2021.
Scientists suggest that the origin of gold in the universe may lie in the ancient collisions of neutron stars. These collisions are also linked to gamma-ray bursts, which are some of the most powerful explosions in the universe. Is this why we are attracted to the dramatic beauty of gold? We don’t know, but there certainly is a powerful attraction to this element.
In this class, we’ll employ a simple technique to adhere thin layers of gold to heavy paper to cover an ingenious binding structure. In the first session, we will gild, and in the second, bind. Thereafter, you’ll marvel in a souvenir from an astronomical event that happened millions of years ago.
The class fee includes a kit with text paper, handmade Cave paper for the covers, thread, a piece of mylar, and a makeup sponge that will be mailed to students before class.
Materials to Bring:
Students will receive the class kit by mail (see above for details).
In addition, students will need to supply:
For Gilding:
- Water-based gilder’s size (link is external)
- One packet imitation gold leaf (link is external)
- Artists’ brush(es), any size – this can be any type of brush that you enjoy using. It should be relatively small, no bigger than 1/2″. The instructor recommends Filbert or round shapes.
- Soft cotton rag
- Rubber cement pickup (link is external) (also called a crepe square)
Standard bookbinding tools:
- Bone folder
- Dividers
- Ruler
- Cutting knife
- Cutting mat
- Scissors
- Awl
- Needle
- Pencil
- Direct mail catalogs or other waste sheets
- Optional: punching trough or make your own (link is external)
Bookbinding tool kits are available through the SFCB store (link is external).
April 21 & 28, 2021, 4-6 pm Pacific Daylight Time; 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. ”
