Sewn Boards and Drum Leaf Binding (Los Angeles, CA)

The sewn boards binding is an elegant, modern adaptation of an ancient binding.

The drum leaf binding is the perfect structure for printmakers, photographers, or anyone who desires to present visual narratives with no sewing thread to interrupt the flow of imagery. Because a drum leaf book is made of single-sided folios, not signatures, the complexities of imposition are not necessary when laying out text.

Both structures can be dressed up or down with a variety of spine treatments and edge decoration techniques. The books open very flat. They can be constructed quickly, are perfect for edition work, and can be made in a sparsely equipped home studio.

A detailed handout will be provided with instructions for all the structures and techniques presented.

Note: This is an intermediate-level workshop. Students must be able to perform the following tasks proficiently and promptly: folding, marking up, sewing. Students should be making sewn books independently, outside a workshop setting. Librarians, designers and similar book professionals with limited hands-on experience are also welcome.

Location/Venue: Book Arts LA
For more info & pictures: https://tinyurl.com/yxrrzczv

Cost/Fee: $155
Material/Studio fee: There will also be an additional materials fee (TBD)

Their workshop calendar: https://bookartsla.org/collections/all

Instructor and bio: Karen Hanmer’s artist-made books are physical manifestations of personal essays intertwining history, culture, politics, science and technology. She utilizes both traditional and contemporary book structures, and the work is often playful in content or format. Hanmer’s work is included in collections ranging from Tate Britain and the Library of Congress to Yale University and Graceland. She has served on the editorial board of The Bonefolder, as Exhibitions Chair for the Guild of Book Workers, and as frequent exhibition curator and juror. She offers workshops and private instruction focusing on a solid foundation in basic binding skills.