9.30am to 4.30pm

The course

During this workshop students will make a non-adhesive book by sewing folded sections of paper, marking, piercing and sewing these on to vellum slips with linen, waxed thread using the French stitch.  When complete this will be the text block.  A rectangle of leather will comprise the cover.  It will be marked and pierced and the holes joined to make slits.  The vellum slips of the text block will be fed through the slits.  Because there is no adhesive in the spine of the text block the block (pages) moves freely on the vellum slips.

Once these skills have been mastered this structure has many applications, can be made any size, and in a range of materials at home.

The tutor

Gaynor Williams makes and repairs books, teaches bookbinding, makes decorative leather, vellum and textile wall panels in her workshop, the Blue Door Bindery. Following 15 years teaching History of Art at FE and HE Gaynor changed direction and trained as a bookbinder at the London College of Printing and City Lit. Private tutoring and a Diploma in the Conservation of Books and Paper at West Dean followed. A bookbinder for 10 years, Gaynor has worked on stabilisation projects for national book collections and on vellum and leather yacht interiors.

Participants’ information

Participants are advised to wear old clothes. All tools will be provided. Please bring a notepad and a camera (if you wish to track the making process).

Fee

£50 per person, to include tuition, tea and coffee.  The museum café will be open or you can bring your own packed lunch.

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.