01460 258648 
Bookbinding – Optional Focus on Quarter Leather Binding
Description
The light and airy studio at Dillington has all the tools and equipment needed for binding books in the traditional manner. On this general bookbinding course participants may pursue their own rebinding or repair projects at their own pace under the guidance of our expert tutor, rather than following a particular programme. However, there will be an optional focus on Quarter-leather binding. Leather binding requires a more complex structure than the case-binding, and you will learn about sewing on cords (or tapes), ‘made’ endpapers, lacing-in boards, stitched headbands, and how to cover a spine in leather.
This focus is not suitable for complete beginners, but if you are new to bookbinding the tutor can accommodate you on the course and will take you through the early stages of case-binding so you will have a good grounding in basic techniques.
This course will benefit anyone who has learnt the case-binding method and would like to develop their bookbinding skills further. It can also be a ‘refresher’ exercise for anyone who feels unsure about the leather-covering process. Students may also take time to concentrate on a particular aspect of binding, or bring work for which they would like advice or instruction.
Residential Fees From: £712. Non Residential: £476
Course runs from Lunch on Sunday to Lunch on Thursday.
Tutor information
Doug has been a Book Conservator since he left school.
He completed a 5-year apprenticeship at John Dickinson’s in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead gaining a City and Guilds distinction in bookbinding and print finishing at the Watford College of Technology. He continued his training by later working for the British Museum Bindery and The Foreign Office Press in Whitehall before joining the British Library in 2001 as a Book & Paper Conservator and Gold Finisher at the Centre for Conservation where he later achieved a level 3 NVQ qualification so that he can mentor interns and foreign students. He has made presentation books for the Princess Royal, Prince Charles, The King of Morocco and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Doug is a member and regular face of the Society of Bookbinders Conferences and regional Workshops and has lectured at the York conference in 2007, and Warwick in 2011.
Although now retired he continues to hold workshops on various aspects of Bookbinding, historical book structures, Restoration, Paper Conservation and Gold Finishing at adult education colleges, S.O.B. regionals and independent conservation studios. He has over 27 years teaching experience.
Your questions answered
All course participants will be sent further instructions prior to the course date.
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