Book-Binding Workshop

Directed by Linette Withers

When: Sunday 02 July, 13.00-17.00
Where: University House: Beechgrove Room
Price: £42.50

Used for accounts and other administrative writings, limp ledger binding, sometimes called a tacketed stationery binding, was in regular use from the 13th through to the 17th centuries and is particularly associated with Italy. Designed to be easy to take apart to allow pages to be added to it over time, it was usually made of vellum and leather and featured an extended cover flap and some form of closure.

Despite being a highly functional binding, this did not stop them being decorative, and they boast a wide variety of stitch patterns, clasps or ties, and flap shapes while maintaining their practicality.

This class will take you through the sewing of the text block and headbands, as well as the attachment of the cover with decorative straps using medieval techniques to create a modern version of this style of ledger binding. At the end of the class you will have a useable and expandable sketchbook.

All tools and materials will be provided.

The straps and cover will be made of leather, but a parchment effect paper and faux leather strap version of the book can be made on request if you would prefer not to use leather for your binding.

Linette Withers completed an MA in Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds before joining the IMC team as Senior Congress Officer. She has been binding books since 2005 and since 2012 has worked as a professional book binder, producing codices and stationery that are inspired by historical examples. Her work was shortlisted for display at the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford as part of their ‘Redesigning the Medieval Book’ competition and exhibition in 2018. One of her books is also held in the permanent collection of The Lit & Phil in Newcastle after being part of an exhibition of bookbinding in 2021. In addition she works with private and library repair projects and teaches bookbinding in her studio in Leeds.

This workshop can only accommodate a limited number of participants. Early booking is recommended.