Coptic Binding

Coptic Binding is a gorgeous historical structure that is popular with book artists due to its flexible nature and elegant chain stitch that runs across the spine

student work with custom made bookcloth

It is one of my favorite bindings to teach. I had a Coptic Binding workshop in my studio this past Saturday and then am traveling to Sonoma County to teach it to a book arts group there next weekend.  I also teach it on Creativebug

 

On Saturday I gave students the option of creating embossed covers - of course they went for it!

Most of the students in the class were in last week's Make Your Own Bookcloth class. Some students used the decorative papers I had on hand while others used their own handmade bookcloth.

It was a long day and students worked hard through the many steps and techniques that were new to them but were rewarded with these sweet little unique gems to write, draw and paint in.

This class wraps up Wishi Washi Studio's summer workshop schedule - thanks for joining me in the studio or just reading along from afar.  I'll be teaching in Sonoma next weekend and then looking forward to some much needed studio time in August. 

The Fall schedule will be upon us before we know it, though.  Check out Wishi Washi Studio's Fall schedule of classes here.  We are delving further into fiber arts with a class taught by needle felting master Stephanie Metz, as well as two other guest instructors: Macy Chadwick and Courtney Cerruti.

bookcloth

We had some bookcloth-making going on in Wishi Washi Studio this weekend.  This is a great way to personalize a bookmaking project - with bookcloth that is all your own.  You can use fabric from old clothes, vintage cloth or the myriad of beautiful new designs that are available these days.

a roll of dyed Japanese fabric belonging to one student - I now have a little piece of this!

If you try to glue up plain cloth and use it to cover bookboard you will end up with glue seeping through the cloth and you will have problems folding the cloth around the board and making neat corners.  The technique we used is based on the traditional Japanese way to make bookcloth.

I began my morning by whipping up some wheat paste

and, with tools gathered we were ready to go

students arrived with the most amazing fabrics

 there were pieces of batik and toile...

and one student brought the most beautiful Japanese fabrics...some were woven patterns and some were dyed...gorgeous:

here is one student in action

by the afternoon each student had a bunch of pieces of cardboard that looked like this:

 after these dry the fabric will be cut out and ready to accept glue and cover bookboard.  Most of the students in this class will be back next week to make Coptic Bound books with their customized book cloth. So, be sure to check back in to see their final projects.

If you missed out on today or aren't in the area - I teach this class on Creativebug.  Learn how to do this anytime...anywhere...

Summer Deals

There is a seriously good deal going on over at Creativebug now.

Those of you who have taken classes with me in Wishi Washi Studio or at the various centers at which I teach, out and about, know what a good deal this is. 

Consider re-taking a class you have taken with me in person as a review - you will have it with you always to review those tricky steps.

Or, if you have been wanting to learn some of these fabulous book structures or paper techniques, now is the time.

Available classes are Coptic Bookbinding, Japanese Side-Sewn binding (four variations), Iris Fold, Accordion Book, Make Your Own Bookcloth, Book Safe, Star Book, and more...

 

Purchase by June 22nd, 2013 and watch it whenever you want, as many times as you want.

Have fun!