Leather 101: Prepping for Bookwork

Books have been covered in leather over a millennium: this class is your first step in learning how to start a leather book project of your own.

*Note: this class is one in a three-part series that builds toward a final 19th Century-style, full leatherbound book.  It can be taken on its own but interested students are encouraged to also sign up for handsewn headbands, and the final class in order to put these foundational skills to work in a master project.

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One of the most important steps for success in leather binding is preparing the leather properly and understanding the tools and techniques needed to do so. This class, taught by The Bindery's Lead Bookbinder, Daniel Ehn, is a hands-on experience to learn proper English paring knife use, and how to properly prep and adhere leather to bookboard.

In this class students will:

• Receive a professional-grade, carbon steel English Paring knife to use in the class and take home at the end. These knives are specifically sharpened and setup for use in bookbinding.
• Receive a peice of fine-grade professional bookbinder's goat skin to work with.
• Learn proper leather paring and adherence techniques via an exercise to craft a goat skin-wrapped leather handle for their own knife.
• Learn to craft a small leather blade cover for their knife out of their goat skin.
• Use their new leather-prep knowledge to properly wrap a full piece of book board by paring the leathers’ edges and properly prepping the four corners.
• This class will also include a discussion of other leather types, prep tools, and additional leather applications such as labels and inlay/onlay work.

Each student leaves with their own knife (and the leather accessories they prepared), a goat skin covered board they created, and the knowledge needed to prep leather for a full book cover at home (or in the follow-up leatherbound course in January.)

*Special safety note: this class involves learning to use an extremely sharp blade in a way that is new and unfamiliar to most people. Even professional binders are prone to small cuts during the leather paring process. We ask that anyone attending this course arrive with this in mind. Caution, care, and a steady hand are necessary and potential students should assess their own comfort and skill level prior to signing up. A first aid kit is on hand at all times.

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Masks are not required at the time of this posting, but are very welcome. This may change by the time of the class, and The Bindery reserves the right to require masks or other safety precautions at any time. Participants will be alerted to any changes prior to the workshop.

*Due to the small nature of classes and the upfront materials costs, The Bindery has a no refunds or exchanges policy. If you cannot make it for some reason, please send a friend in your stead and let us know!