Bookbinding! Make a Crossed-Structure Binding

In this session, we will:

• Learn (or review/briefly practice) key skills for many types of bookbinding that you can apply to different binding structures

• Talk about what a book is (what IS a book?), what a binding structure is, properties of paper, and some various artist book examples

• Make (some or all of) your own blank book with a binding called the crossed-structure binding (a structure generally attributed to Carmencho Arregui, see more here: http://www.outofbinding.com/00_origin.htm ).

The crossed-structure binding we'll explore is both a great way to explore a bunch of bookbinding skills and works well for a flat-opening notebook/sketchbook. It's also a no-glue (nonadhesive) binding, so it's completely possible to take apart and reconstruct again later.

THINGS TO BRING

If you have an example of a book you made you want to share super briefly, or a picture of it, bring that!

If you have a cutting implement like an x-acto blade/scalpel/olfa knife, a cutting mat, a straightedge/ruler, bring those! If you don't, we can share.

Materials will be provided for some size of book up to a certain size, but if you think you might want to make a thicker book, or you want to use your own paper for the pages instead of what I'm providing, or you want to help me fulfill the book needs of everyone who wants to do some bookbinding, also bring:

12-18 sheets of text-weight paper (like similar to the pages of a sketchbook or notebook you would buy) that are bigger than 7"x8" (inches). Standard computer paper is OK, but slightly heartier/"nicer" paper will work better.

No worries if this is somewhat mystifying, there'll be paper available, and no promises we'll be able to use yours if you bring some, but we'll try.

Some things about this this might change depending on the number of RSVPs, but I will send folks instructions ahead of time regardless and it'll be chill. We have capped the RSVPs to make sure we have enough materials and table space/time to get more things done, but I will be happy to talk over this stuff with folks later individually or to do another session if wanted for those on the waitlist when the session runs, if applicable.

No bookbinding or related experience necessary.