Back to reality from 3 glorious days at Sitka. What a wonderful place to go. I highly recommend taking a workshop there. Great staff, incredible location, good facilities and wonderful instructors.
I took a workshop from print/bookmaker Ann Kresge on the basics of bookbinding. I needed this workshop a couple of years ago, but I’m happy to have finally connected with the basics.
Introduction to books: The workshop started out by learning important basics; tools, terminology of book parts, book types (there are many!), adhesives and paper/board information (grain etc) . I had not a clue about paper grain/cross grain and its effects on warping after gluing. No wonder my pieces get a bit funky! Your grain needs to run from head to tail ( book cover board too). Adhesives are also important. We used a 50/50 mix of PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue and Methyl Cellulose paste. This adds more flexibility in the end product. Another “ah HA” moment!
Day 1 book focus: Accordion and how to cover the boards, miter corners etc…
Hard cover 2 section accordion
Triangle Accordion
Flower Book
Day 2: Japanese Stab Binding
3 holed pamphlet “figure 8” sewn binding
Japanese 4 hole binding “Yotsumi Toji” with corners
Hemp-Leaf Stab Binding “Asa no-ha Toji” with corners
Day 3: Concertina, Tunnel & Composite Bindings
Hard Covered Concertina : Very fun!
Tunnel Book w/ Concertina Spine paper : didn’t finish but folded sides and collected cardstock
French Doors : produced 2 books
All the books together.
Sticks, Stones, and Paper Stew Blog 
Ah yes, toji. Remember encountering that word in some work related to imposition. Misrably hard stuff, that was. The art it presents, however, is, I see, much nicer.
Ah, I’ve made a couple of these books before! The flower books and tunnel books are sweet. You have inspired me to get myself some materials and re-discover this art 🙂
Get out there and start creating!
🙂
I don’t suppose you have any useful resources on making a triangular concertina/accordion? Your work looks lovely!
I’ll see what I can find in my stash and email it to you. It was such a fun book and sadly it’s the only one I’ve made. Glad you enjoyed the work!
🙂
Gale