Special Workshop for February

An example of the book's exterior.

Please note: As noted in the newsletter that members received earlier, an RSVP by February 6 was essential for this workshop. The cost will be $10 +$3 material fee.

Learn how to make one variation of a concertina binding (a.k.a. accordion binding) in which the spine pleat is fixed into place by being sewn onto straps that are then woven onto separate side covers.

The February 11 workshop will include instructions for folding envelopes from 8-1/2" x 11" sheets of paper, which will be sewn onto the spine pleats and serve as pockets for holding cardstock pages. The book will include non-adhesive side covers. If there is time, participants may begin decorating or adding content to their book pages.

Doors open at 9:30 am; workshop starts promptly at 10:00.
We'll break for sack lunch at noon with our Valentine Exchange at 12:30.
Workshop resumes at 2:00 pm.

Materials to bring:
• For envelopes and end papers: 12 sheets of 8-1/2" x 11" text-weight paper (plain, colored or decorative--please note that straps and binding cord will be brown)
• For page inserts: 7 pieces cut from card or cover stock, 4-3/4" x 5-5/8", grain long
• Sack lunch and beverage
 
Tools to bring:
• X-acto knife with #11 blade
• Cutting mat
• Pencil & eraser
• Scissors
• Glue (PVA)
• Small glue brush, waste paper
• Bone folder
• Metal ruler
• Piercing tool
• Beeswax
• Tapestry needles #20 and #22
• Sewing cradle*
• Brass strips*
• Japanese screw punch*
• Corner punch*
(* = optional; bring if you have)

Materials that will be provided:
• Precut material for straps (see note below)
• Precut materials for spine and cover
• Cord for sewing
• Extra sewing cradles
• Extra bookbinding needles
(Note: Dolores will supply Tyvek strips dyed with brown walnut ink. If you want to bring your own, whether Tyvek of a different color or an alternative such as elephant hide paper, lokta, or sturdy drawing paper, cut to dimension of 2-1/4" x 12", grain long)

Our special guest instructor will be Becky Luening, who says she has been hooked on books as an artform since the mid-1990s. She enjoys exploring different forms and has gravitated toward bindings with interesting external elements such as books sewn on straps and piano-hinge structures. She appreciates how books can serve as containers for just about any 2D art media, and how content can drive structure and vice versa.

Becky resided in Arcata for 6-1/2 years and was active in NORBAG from 2003 until 2008 when she relocated to Portland, Oregon. She continues to participate in exchanges and exhibits occasionally as a long-distance member.

Map Your World made by Becky Luening in 2010. The workshop will
include instruction for making envelope pocket pages like these.