Society of Bookbinders – Western Region
Beginners’ Bookbinding Course: 2023-2024
The Western Region of the Society of Bookbinders has designed a three year progression course in order to give our members an opportunity to learn the craft of Bookbinding in-depth and in an accessible and structured format.
We are now launching our first year, designed for complete beginners, or those with some experience, who would like to hone their skills and fill gaps in their knowledge of the techniques and structures of foundational bookbinding.
The course is taught over nine weekends held at the Tacchi-Morris Art Centre, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton TA2 8PD, from 10.00 – 16.00 on both days. The dates are as follows: 22-23 April, 20-21 May, 17-18 June 2023, 23-24 September, 21- 22 October, 18-19 November 2023, 20-21 January, 24-25 February, 16-17 March 2024
Students will benefit from being taught by three tutors, all of whom are professional bookbinders with many years of teaching experience. You can find a short biography for each below. The tutors will take you carefully through their area of the course and each will give you individual and group support. A tutor Zoom consultation will be available for additional guidance between sessions and a WhatsApp group for peer support.
The course fee is £675 which covers all nine weekends, and includes materials, although there will be times when you might like to use something of your own. Extra materials will be available for you to purchase if you wish to practise between sessions. All equipment and tools will be provided for use during the course and guidance will be given on
purchasing your own should you wish to do so. You are welcome to bring and use your own.
This course is subsidised by the Western Region of the Society of Bookbinders. It is expected that you will attend each weekend to benefit fully from the course content.
Weekends 1 – 3 Tutor: Nesta Davies
Introduction to binding, single section pamphlets in a variety of soft covers, 1/4 cloth pamphlet in boards
Multi-section flat-back case binding in 1/2 cloth with decorative paper sides, made end bands
Multi-section album binding using split boards
Folded book structures – for fun!
Weekends 4 – 6 Tutor: Diana Illingworth-Cook
Sewing techniques – setting up a sewing frame to make a multi stitch sample and a packed cord sewn sample
Coptic binding, ’10 minute’ slipcase
Drop-back box
Multi-section rounded only case binding
Weekends 7-9 Tutor: Angela Sutton
Round and backed case binding with ‘made’ endpapers, hand sewn end bands and coloured edges
Slipcase with ribbon pull
Design, colour and pattern will also be covered and decorative papers made to use for projects. Reference to historical and contemporary binding structures and techniques will be included and good practice and safe working considered at all times.
Students completing the course will be awarded a certificate. The second year, which is an intermediate level, will follow a similar format, building on skills and knowledge accumulated during the beginners’ course and enabling students to progress to the advanced level in the third year if they wish.
For further enquiries, please email kategwynn@gmail.com