Masterclasses for Beginners
10am – 5pm, with lunch break

£450 for the full course
Classes are held consecutively for 3 months (once a month)
We provide all necessary tools and materials for each course

What is the course about?
In these courses you will prepare a book for the application of leather, otherwise known as forwarding. Make a leather bound book through a series of progressive steps designed to provide a good working knowledge of traditional materials and techniques.

MASTER CLASS 1 - 22nd July 2012

What topics will we cover?.
This will include techniques known as rounding and backing and of sewing a multi-sectioned book on a frame. You will learn Paper folding and cutting, end paper construction, leather joints, edge trimming and spine lining.

By the end of this course you should be able to:
• select and use appropriate materials
• sew a multi-sectioned binding on a frame
• Round and back a spine
• Spine linings and other traditional techniques

MASTERCLASS 2 - 26th August 2012

What topics will we cover?
You will be taught Edge decoration techniques, headbanding, board attachment and preparation for covering with leather.

By the end of this course you should be able to:
• Construct leather-jointed endpapers
• Rough-edge gild the pages of your book
• Chamfer and lace on boards
• Sew multi-coloured endbands
• Put down leather joints

MASTERCLASS 3 - 23rd September 2012

What topics will we cover?
This course concentrates on leather working with paring knife and spokeshave, and other preparation of leather to over a book. Putting down doublures. An introduction to design using leather inlays and onlays.

By the end of this course you should be able to:
• Prepare and put in paper/leather doublures
• Make a well-fitting drop-back box to house your completed binding
• Pare leather accurately
• Sharpen tools
• Round and back correctly