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‘workshops’ Category

  1. Winter/Spring 2023 Workshops

    December 12, 2022 by Erin Fletcher

    The blog is going to experience a makeover in early 2023. To get regular updates on upcoming workshops, please sign-up for the newsletter. 


    FEBRUARY
    Dos Rapporté Binding
    2 Sessions // February 11 & 12 (Sat & Sun mornings)
    9:00am – 11:30am (CST)
    SOLD OUT – Wait List

    Dos Rapporté is an elegant binding created by Ben Elbel around 2005. Rapporté loosely translates from French as something that comes back together. To create this unique structure, the covers and spine are covered separately and brought together to finalize the binding. This binding is an elegant solution for a book that can open flat based on the unique folding technique for the spine piece. In this workshop students will create a model of the Dos Rapporté using bookcloth and decorative paper.

    Embroidered Leather
    6 Sessions // February 15, 22, March 1/2, 8, 15, 22 (Wednesday evenings)
    5:00 – 7:00pm (CST)
    Register by February 3rd

    Historical examples of embroidered bindings typically date back from the close of the 14th to the mid-17th century and were primarily done on silk, satin, velvet or canvas. These highly decorative bindings grew out of the tradition of textile bindings that became popular in England during the 14th and 15th centuries. The embroiderers working on these bindings included both professional (predominately male artisans) and amateur needle-workers (typically women in their homes).

    Within the past few decades contemporary bookbinders and book artists have been incorporating embroidery and other sewing techniques into their work. For many of these artists, it was an easy transition to bring the two mediums together. The range of materials and methods has certainly expanded beyond the historical examples. Using thread over traditional binding techniques allows the artist to express their vision in an unique way and introduces a different tactile experience to the binding. Embroidered threads can be used to draw in the abstract or add highlights and shadows to an illustrative design. The threads can be kept neat or left to tangle.

    In this workshop, students will work from start to finish on their own embroidered leather binding over the course of several sessions. Students will be asked to prep their own text block and leather for a full leather case binding, however a kit of materials is available for purchase. Students will be introduced to a few hand-embroidery stitches and the best techniques for sewing into leather, cloth and paper. We will also discuss ways to transfer the design onto the material, how to incorporate onlays and how to prepare the finished embroidered piece for covering.

    This workshop will include live instruction through Zoom, which will be recorded and available to participants for a limited period of time. This workshop will not cover the foundations of working with leather, therefore students must have some prior knowledge of leather work. However, the embroidery techniques taught in this workshop can be applied to other materials such as cloth or paper. Please contact me if you have questions determining if this workshop is right for you.

    APRIL
    Tue-Mouche Binding
    2 Sessions // April 15 & 16 (Sat & Sun mornings)
    9:00am – 11:30am (CST)
    Register by April 4th – 4 SPOTS LEFT

    Translated to “flypaper”, the Tue-Mouche was developed by Ben Elbel as a variation to the Dos Rapporté structure (another one of his innovations). The Tue-Mouche is an easy and economical form of bookbinding. The covers are constructed entirely from heavyweight paper, layered to create rigidity and strength, while the flexible spine allows the binding to open without constraints. In this workshop students will learn how to create the Tue-Mouche structure from start to finish.

    Box Series
    4 Sessions // April 18, 20, 25, 27 (Tues & Thurs evenings)
    5:00pm – 7:30pm (CST)
    Register by April 6th

    Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. In this workshop, we’ll look at just three examples: French-Tray with Drop Spine, Clamshell and Japanese Box Case. Students will learn how to assemble these three styles of boxes while also discussing the ways to measure for custom box-making. This workshop will give you the foundational skills to build and modify your own boxes. It will also explore different ways of creating closures for boxes.

  2. New Year – New Workshops // 2023 Winter/Spring Workshops

    November 15, 2022 by Erin Fletcher


    FEBRUARY
    Dos Rapporté Binding
    2 Sessions // February 11 & 12 (Sat & Sun mornings)
    9:00am – 11:30am (CST)
    Register by January 31st

    Dos Rapporté is an elegant binding created by Ben Elbel around 2005. Rapporté loosely translates from French as something that comes back together. To create this unique structure, the covers and spine are covered separately and brought together to finalize the binding. This binding is an elegant solution for a book that can open flat based on the unique folding technique for the spine piece. In this workshop students will create a model of the Dos Rapporté using bookcloth and decorative paper.

     

    Embroidered Leather
    6 Sessions // February 15, 22, March 1/2, 8, 15, 22 (Wednesday evenings)
    5:00 – 7:00pm (CST)
    Register by February 3rd

    Historical examples of embroidered bindings typically date back from the close of the 14th to the mid-17th century and were primarily done on silk, satin, velvet or canvas. These highly decorative bindings grew out of the tradition of textile bindings that became popular in England during the 14th and 15th centuries. The embroiderers working on these bindings included both professional (predominately male artisans) and amateur needle-workers (typically women in their homes).

    Within the past few decades contemporary bookbinders and book artists have been incorporating embroidery and other sewing techniques into their work. For many of these artists, it was an easy transition to bring the two mediums together. The range of materials and methods has certainly expanded beyond the historical examples. Using thread over traditional binding techniques allows the artist to express their vision in an unique way and introduces a different tactile experience to the binding. Embroidered threads can be used to draw in the abstract or add highlights and shadows to an illustrative design. The threads can be kept neat or left to tangle.

    In this workshop, students will work from start to finish on their own embroidered leather binding over the course of several sessions. Students will be asked to prep their own text block and leather for a full leather case binding, however a kit of materials is available for purchase. Students will be introduced to a few hand-embroidery stitches and the best techniques for sewing into leather, cloth and paper. We will also discuss ways to transfer the design onto the material, how to incorporate onlays and how to prepare the finished embroidered piece for covering.

    This workshop will include live instruction through Zoom, which will be recorded and available to participants for a limited period of time. This workshop will not cover the foundations of working with leather, therefore students must have some prior knowledge of leather work. However, the embroidery techniques taught in this workshop can be applied to other materials such as cloth or paper. Please contact me if you have questions determining if this workshop is right for you.

    APRIL
    Tue-Mouche Binding
    2 Sessions // April 15 & 16 (Sat & Sun mornings)
    9:00am – 11:30am (CST)
    Register by April 4th

    Translated to “flypaper”, the Tue-Mouche was developed by Ben Elbel as a variation to the Dos Rapporté structure (another one of his innovations). The Tue-Mouche is an easy and economical form of bookbinding. The covers are constructed entirely from heavyweight paper, layered to create rigidity and strength, while the flexible spine allows the binding to open without constraints. In this workshop students will learn how to create the Tue-Mouche structure from start to finish.

     

    Box Series
    4 Sessions // April 18, 20, 25, 27 (Tues & Thurs evenings)
    5:00pm – 7:30pm (CST)
    Register by April 6th

    Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. In this workshop, we’ll look at just three examples: French-Tray with Drop Spine, Clamshell and Japanese Box Case. Students will learn how to assemble these three styles of boxes while also discussing the ways to measure for custom box-making. This workshop will give you the foundational skills to build and modify your own boxes. It will also explore different ways of creating closures for boxes.

  3. Fall & Winter Workshops – Live from the new Austin Studio!

    September 19, 2022 by Erin Fletcher

    NOVEMBER
    Cross Structure Binding
    4 Sessions // November 1, 3, 8 & 10 (Tues & Thurs evenings)
    6:00pm – 8:30pm (EST)
    Hosted by Maine Media Workshops + College

    The Cross Structure binding is a non-adhesive binding that offers much freedom to the text block. This 20th century design created by Carmencho Arregui is greatly inspired by the Long Stitch bindings of the medieval era. It is suitable in conservation or new bindings, such as travel journals or decorative bindings. The structure is uniquely constructed by interlocking the front and back cover at the spine.

    Secret Belgian Binding
    2 Sessions // November 12 & 13 (Sat & Sun)
    10:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
    Hosted by Maine Media Workshops + College

    The Secret Belgian binding is a popular structure, used primarily for artist books. This style of binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for thinner text blocks. Students will learn 2 different finishing techniques for the Secret Belgian.

    Telescoping Box
    3 Sessions // November 15, 17, & 22 (Tues & Thurs evenings)
    5:00pm – 7:00pm (CST)
    Sign-up by November 3 to receive your material kit! – 4 SPOTS LEFT

    In contrast to the clamshell box, this style of enclosure has a completely separate lid that slides off the base. In this workshop, students will construct an inner tray set within a frame for the object to rest. A ribbon will be added for easy retrieval of the object. Students will be able to customize the inner tray to fit an object from their own library.

    DECEMBER
    Tue-Mouche Binding
    2 Sessions // December 3 & 4 (Sat & Sun mornings)
    9:00am – 11:30pm (CST)
    SOLD OUT – Join the wait list!

    Translated to “flypaper”, the Tue-Mouche was developed by Ben Elbel as a variation to the Dos Rapporté structure (another one of his innovations). The Tue-Mouche is an easy and economical form of bookbinding. The covers are constructed entirely from heavyweight paper, layered to create rigidity and strength, while the flexible spine allows the binding to open without constraints. In this workshop students will learn how to create the Tue-Mouche structure from start to finish.

  4. Upcoming Workshops // Summer 2022

    April 12, 2022 by Erin Fletcher

    May/June
    Modern Nag Hammadi
    3 Sessions // May 31 – June 7 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign up by May 19 to receive your material kit!

    In this workshop, we will explore how some of the earliest known codices may have been constructed. The best-known examples were discovered in a jar near the Egyptian village of Nag Hammadi in 1945. These mostly intact bindings date back to the 3rd or 4th century, but fragments of similar bindings date back further to the 2nd century.

    These single signature bindings are held in their leather covers with the use of knotted leather tackets. The bindings also include ties at the head, tail and fore edge to keep the binding secure. During this workshop we will be using contemporary materials to build two models of these ancient binding structures.

    Box Series
    4 Sessions // June 14 – 23 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by June 2 to receive your material kit!

    Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. In this workshop, we’ll look at just three examples: French-Tray with Drop Spine, Clamshell and Japanese Box Case. Students will learn how to assemble these three styles of boxes while also discussing the ways to measure for custom box-making. This workshop will give you the foundational skills to build and modify your own boxes and different ways of creating closures for boxes.

    July/August
    Secret Belgian Binding
    4 Sessions // July 9 – 17 (Saturday – Sunday)
    10:00am – 12:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by June 28 to receive your material kit!

    The Secret Belgian binding, also known as Criss Cross binding, was developed by Anne Goy in the mid-1980s and is influenced by traditional Japanese binding styles. The binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for thinner text blocks. Students will construct 3 variations of this structure, including a style which uses Tyvek as the binding agent.

    Focus on Clamshell
    4 Sessions // July 26 – August 4 (Tues and Thurs evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by July 14 to receive you material kit!

    A clamshell box is a common and elegant way to house and protect a binding. In this workshop students will learn how to measure and cut down materials to make two custom clamshell boxes to house books from their own library. The first box will be covered in full cloth, while the second box will have a leather spine with suede lining the inside. Each box will be finished with a printed label.

  5. Giveaway on Instagram + Workshop Seconds

    February 22, 2022 by Erin Fletcher

    Giveaway and Announcement! Over the past year and a half I’ve been teaching workshops online from my home studio. I’ve accumulated lots of models from teaching students from all over the world. I’m excited to announce these models are now for sale. All of the proceeds will go toward organizations dedicated to building up individuals and strengthening communities through art and craft.

    TO ENTER:
    Click over to Instagram and find the image above^
    1. Like this post
    2. Tag a friend in the comments and tell me what you love about books and/or boxes! (multiple comments count as multiple entries)

    Contest open to Instagram users only and ends February 24, 2022 at 11:59pm (est). Open to US residents only.

    THE PRIZE:
    A complete set of boxes made during my Box Series Workshop (includes 1 French tray, 1 clamshell and 1 Japanese box case). All boxes were made during demonstrations, so there may be marks and flaws for the purpose of teaching.

    WORKSHOP SECONDS:
    You can also get a workshop second directly by making a donation to one of the organizations below. For more information, click here.
    – Artists for Humanity
    – Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
    – The Black School
    – Crafting the Future
    – North Bennet Street School
    – Penland School of Craft

    I’ll be donating funds once a month and posting receipts on Instagram. Many thanks in helping me support these incredible organizations and for keeping my studio organized.

  6. Upcoming Workshops // Winter/Spring 2022

    December 28, 2021 by Erin Fletcher

    FEBRUARY
    Secret Belgian Binding
    2 Days // February 12 & 13 (Saturday – Sunday)
    8:30am – 4:30pm
    In-Person Workshop @ North Bennet Street School in Boston

    The Secret Belgian binding, also known as Criss Cross binding, was developed by Anne Goy in the mid-1980s and is influenced by traditional Japanese binding styles. The binding is simple and easy to construct; it opens flat and is perfect for thinner text blocks. Students will construct 3 variations of this structure, including a style which uses Tyvek as the binding agent.

    Box Series
    4 Sessions // February 15 – 24 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by February 3 to receive your material kit!

    Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. In this workshop, we’ll look at just three examples: French-Tray with Drop Spine, Clamshell and Japanese Box Case. Students will learn how to assemble these three styles of boxes while also discussing the ways to measure for custom box-making. This workshop will give you the foundational skills to build and modify your own boxes. It will also explore different ways of creating closures for boxes.

    MARCH
    Fundamentals of Bookbinding I
    5 Days // March 14 – 18 (Monday – Friday)
    8:30am – 4:30pm
    In-Person Workshop @ North Bennet Street School in Boston

    Students will learn the foundations of bookbinding by combining hands-on exercises and discussion. The class starts by exploring non-adhesive structures: soft cover pamphlet, Coptic, historical longstitch and link stitch. The class ends with a look at case bindings, with the creation of two hardcover flatback bindings. Students also learn different structural elements, sewing variations, covering and cutting techniques using various materials, tools and equipment. Throughout the course discussions will cover terminology, paper grain and folding, selecting proper materials and tools, and adhesives and their properties.

    Flatback Case Binding
    2 Sessions // March 26 & 27 (Saturday and Sunday)
    10:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by March 15 to receive your material kit!

    The Flatback Case Binding is one of the most common and recognizable structures today. In this workshop, students will learn foundational binding skills to assemble two different styles of covering known as quarter cloth and half cloth. The Flatback Case Binding is easy to construct and is perfect for small publications, artist books, journals and more.

    APRIL
    Choose Your Own Adventure: Non-Adhesive Bindings
    1 – 4 Sessions // April 5 – 14 (Tues and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 9:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by March 24 to receive you material kit!

    This workshop is designed to cover a range of non-adhesive structures, just a small handful of the multitude of ways to sew a book. Non-adhesive bindings are great for any skill level, but beginner binders will learn fundamental sewing skills and work with a range of materials. Build this workshop for your skill level and your budget. Sign up for any number of workshops: 1, 3 or all 4! Receive $20 if you sign up for all 4.

    Choose Your Own Adventure:
    Session 1 – Coptic
    Session 2 – Link & Long Stitch
    Session 3 – Historical Long Stitch
    Session 4 – Single & Double Raised Cords

    Limp Vellum Binding
    2 Days // April 9 & 10 (Saturday and Sunday)
    8:30am – 4:30pm
    In-Person Workshop @ North Bennet Street School in Boston

    With the advent of printing in the 15th century books were printed in larger quantities creating a higher demand for bookbinders. Limp binding structures came about as a way for binders to quickly construct an elegant and durable binding for this new demand. This beautiful style of binding is suitable for conservation or new bindings. Students will learn the proper sewing pattern for this structure, create hand-sewn endbands and how to properly fold the cover before lacing in the text block.

    Telescoping Box
    3 Sessions // April 21 – 28 (Tues and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by April 8 to receive you material kit!

    In contrast to the clamshell box, this style of enclosure has a completely separate lid that slides off the base. In this workshop, students will construct an inner tray set within a frame for the object to rest. A ribbon will be added for easy retrieval of the object. Students will be able to customize the inner tray to fit an object from their own library.

  7. Just a Few Workshops Left in 2021!

    September 14, 2021 by Erin Fletcher

    There are just a few workshops left in 2021 to sign-up for!

    OCTOBER
    Trio of Japanese Bindings in a Wraparound Case
    3 Sessions // October 3 – 17 (Sunday mornings)
    10:00am – 12:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by September 20 to receive you material kit! – 3 SPOTS LEFT!!

    In this workshop, students will construct a common Japanese binding model, traditionally referred to as yotsume toji or 4-hole binding. With this pattern as the foundation, students will also learn the hemp-leaf and tortoise-shell pattern. We will build the models in a traditional manner, while incorporating western tools and equipment. To finish, we will construct a wraparound case held together with bone clasps to house all three models.

    NOVEMBER
    Choose Your Own Adventure: Cross Structure
    1 – 5 Sessions // November 30 – December 14 (Tues and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 9:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by November 18 to receive you material kit!

    The Cross Structure binding is a non-adhesive binding that offers much freedom to the text block. This 20th century design is greatly inspired by the Long Stitch bindings of the medieval era and can be constructed in a range of styles. The structure is uniquely constructed by interlocking the front and back cover at the spine. It is suitable in conservation or new bindings, such as journals or decorative bindings. For this workshop, you can sign up for any number of sessions.

    Choose Your Own Adventure:
    Session 1 – Basic
    Session 2 – Protective
    Session 3 – Hidden
    Session 4 – MarcoPolo
    Session 5 – Solo

    Sign up for all 5 and receive a $25 discount.

  8. Upcoming Workshops // August – December

    August 10, 2021 by Erin Fletcher

    AUGUST
    Focus on Clamshell
    4 Sessions // August 31 – September 9 (Tues and Thurs evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by August 18 to receive you material kit! – ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT

    A clamshell box is a common and elegant way to house and protect a binding. In this workshop students will learn how to measure and cut down materials to make two custom clamshell boxes to house books from their own library. The first box will be covered in full cloth, while the second box will have a leather spine with suede lining the inside. Each box will be finished with a printed label.

    SEPTEMBER
    Embroidered Leather Binding
    6 Sessions // September 28 – November 2 (Tuesday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by September 15 to receive you material kit!

    In this workshop, students will work from start to finish on their own embroidered leather binding over the course of several sessions. Students will be asked to prep their own text block and leather for a full leather case binding, however a kit of materials is available for purchase. Students will be introduced to a few hand-embroidery stitches and the best techniques for sewing into leather, cloth, and paper. We will also discuss ways to transfer the design onto the material, how to incorporate onlays and how to prepare the finished embroidered piece for covering.

    OCTOBER
    Trio of Japanese Bindings in a Wraparound Case
    3 Sessions // October 3 – 17 (Sunday mornings)
    10:00am – 12:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by September 20 to receive you material kit!

    In this workshop, students will construct a common Japanese binding model, traditionally referred to as yotsume toji or 4-hole binding. With this pattern as the foundation, students will also learn the hemp-leaf and tortoise-shell pattern. We will build the models in a traditional manner, while incorporating western tools and equipment. To finish, we will construct a wraparound case held together with bone clasps to house all three models.

    NOVEMBER
    Secret Belgian + Single Signature
    November 8 – 12 (Monday – Friday)
    Maine Media Workshops + College
    Rockport, ME – In-person

    During this week-long workshop students will explore variations within two different styles of binding: Secret Belgian and Single Signature.

    Choose Your Own Adventure: Cross Structure
    1 – 5 Sessions // November 30 – December 14 (Tues and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 9:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by November 18 to receive you material kit!

    The Cross Structure binding is a non-adhesive binding that offers much freedom to the text block. This 20th century design is greatly inspired by the Long Stitch bindings of the medieval era and can be constructed in a range of styles. The structure is uniquely constructed by interlocking the front and back cover at the spine. It is suitable in conservation or new bindings, such as journals or decorative bindings. For this workshop, you can sign up for any number of sessions.

    Choose Your Own Adventure:
    Session 1 – Basic
    Session 2 – Protective
    Session 3 – Hidden
    Session 4 – MarcoPolo
    Session 5 – Solo

    Sign up for all 5 and receive a $25 discount.

  9. Upcoming Workshops // August – December

    July 13, 2021 by Erin Fletcher

    AUGUST
    2-Day: Shrigley
    3 Sessions // August 23 & 27 (Monday & Friday)
    Aug. 23: 10:00am – 1:00pm & 3:00 – 6:00pm
    Aug. 27: 3:00 – 4:00pm
    Maine Media Workshops + College – Online

    The Shrigley is an innovative way to house loose ephemera, postcards, photographs, prints and more. The pages are folded into frames, allowing you to easily add or remove pieces from the book. In this workshop, students will learn the folding techniques to create the frames with various corner styles. Once the pages are assembled and sewn, students will finish their project by making a hardcover case with a ribbon tie.

    Focus on Clamshell
    4 Sessions // August 31 – September 9 (Tues and Thurs evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by August 18 to receive you material kit!

    A clamshell box is a common and elegant way to house and protect a binding. In this workshop students will learn how to measure and cut down materials to make two custom clamshell boxes to house books from their own library. The first box will be covered in full cloth, while the second box will have a leather spine with suede lining the inside. Each box will be finished with a printed label.

    SEPTEMBER
    Embroidered Leather Binding
    6 Sessions // September 28 – November 2 (Tuesday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by September 15 to receive you material kit!

    In this workshop, students will work from start to finish on their own embroidered leather binding over the course of several sessions. Students will be asked to prep their own text block and leather for a full leather case binding, however a kit of materials is available for purchase. Students will be introduced to a few hand-embroidery stitches and the best techniques for sewing into leather, cloth, and paper. We will also discuss ways to transfer the design onto the material, how to incorporate onlays and how to prepare the finished embroidered piece for covering.

    OCTOBER
    Trio of Japanese Bindings in a Wraparound Case
    3 Sessions // October 3 – 17 (Sunday mornings)
    10:00am – 12:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by September 20 to receive you material kit!

    In this workshop, students will construct a common Japanese binding model, traditionally referred to as yotsume toji or 4-hole binding. With this pattern as the foundation, students will also learn the hemp-leaf and tortoise-shell pattern. We will build the models in a traditional manner, while incorporating western tools and equipment. To finish, we will construct a wraparound case held together with bone clasps to house all three models.

    NOVEMBER
    Secret Belgian + Single Signature
    November 8 – 12 (Monday – Friday)
    Maine Media Workshops + College
    Rockport, ME – In-person

    During this week-long workshop students will explore variations within two different styles of binding: Secret Belgian and Single Signature.

    Choose Your Own Adventure: Cross Structure
    1 – 5 Sessions // November 30 – December 14 (Tues and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 9:00pm (EST)
    Sign-up by November 18 to receive you material kit!

    The Cross Structure binding is a non-adhesive binding that offers much freedom to the text block. This 20th century design is greatly inspired by the Long Stitch bindings of the medieval era and can be constructed in a range of styles. The structure is uniquely constructed by interlocking the front and back cover at the spine. It is suitable in conservation or new bindings, such as journals or decorative bindings. For this workshop, you can sign up for any number of sessions.

    Choose Your Own Adventure:
    Session 1 – Basic
    Session 2 – Protective
    Session 3 – Hidden
    Session 4 – MarcoPolo
    Session 5 – Solo

    Sign up for all 5 and receive a $25 discount.

  10. Upcoming Workshops // Summer 2021

    May 11, 2021 by Erin Fletcher

    Making your summer plans? Consider signing up for an online workshop. No matter where you are in the world, you can now register for a workshop! All workshops will be recorded and will be available to students who register, so no need to stay up late for class if you live in a different time zone. Can’t wait to see you in class!

    JUNE
    Cross Structure Binding
    4 Sessions // June 8 – 17 (Tuesday and Thursday mornings)
    10:00am – 12:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by May 25 to receive your material kit! – ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT

    The Cross Structure binding is a non-adhesive binding that offers much freedom to the text block. This 20th century design is greatly inspired by the Long Stitch bindings of the medieval era. It is suitable in conservation or new bindings, such as travel journals or decorative bindings. The structure is uniquely constructed by interlocking the front and back cover at the spine.

    In this workshop, students will create 4 variations of the Cross Structure binding working with both handmade paper and leather to create their models.

    Variations on Single Signature Bindings
    4 Sessions // June 22 – July 1 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by June 8 to receive your material kit!

    Books come in all shapes and sizes. Some may span only a few pages, while others become a thick tome. In this workshop, we’ll explore the former as we create a multitude of models with both soft and hardcovers.

    Students will begin this workshop by making a series of simple softcover pamphlets using a variety of sewing patterns before moving on to hardcover structures. All of these structures allow the book to lay flat and are perfect for chapbooks, presentation pamphlets or short stories.

    JULY
    *NEW*
    Quick Enclosures Series
    3 Sessions // July 11 – 25 (Sunday mornings)
    10:00am – 12:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by June 29 to receive your material kit!

    This workshop will focus on quick enclosures that can be constructed from sturdy paper and heavy cardstock. Many of the folding techniques presented in this workshop stem from origami, which have been further explored by the imitable Hedi Kyle. In addition, students will also learn how to construct paper slipcases and 4-flap enclosures often used in conservation.

    We will discuss how to cut and measure for custom projects, however the kit will include a small blank book, which will be used to construct the enclosures during the workshop.

    *JUST ADDED*
    Box Series
    4 Sessions // July 20 – 29 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    Sign-up by July 8 to receive your material kit!

    Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. In this workshop, we’ll look at just three examples: French-Tray with Drop Spine, Clamshell and Japanese Box Case. Students will learn how to assemble these three styles of boxes while also discussing the ways to measure for custom box-making. This workshop will give you the foundational skills to build and modify your own boxes. It will also explore different ways of creating closures for boxes.

    AUGUST
    Box Series
    4 Sessions // August 3 – 12 (Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
    6:00 – 8:30pm (EST)
    SOLD OUT

    Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. In this workshop, we’ll look at just three examples: French-Tray with Drop Spine, Clamshell and Japanese Box Case. Students will learn how to assemble these three styles of boxes while also discussing the ways to measure for custom box-making. This workshop will give you the foundational skills to build and modify your own boxes. It will also explore different ways of creating closures for boxes.

    2-Day: Shrigley
    3 Sessions // August 23 & 27 (Monday & Friday)
    Aug. 23: 10:00am – 1:00pm & 3:00 – 6:00pm
    Aug. 27: 3:00 – 4:00pm
    Maine Media Workshops + College – Online

    The Shrigley is an innovative way to house loose ephemera, postcards, photographs, prints and more. The pages are folded into frames, allowing you to easily add or remove pieces from the book. In this workshop, students will learn the folding techniques to create the frames with various corner styles. Once the pages are assembled and sewn, students will finish their project by making a hardcover case with a ribbon tie.

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  • My name is Erin Fletcher, owner and bookbinder of Herringbone Bindery in Boston. Flash of the Hand is a space where I share my process and inspirations.
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