27 April 2008
Leather Smeather
Posted by Lady Artisan under: General Bookbinding .
I made my first full-leather binding using veg-tanned calf, covering the boards, carving and dying the leather and then gluing the text block sewn on tapes into book board in grooves cut to fit the tapes.
Murphy’s law was in full effect during this whole process and, for some reason, I worked like I’d forgotten every basic bookbinding technique I’d ever learned. Well, it maybe wasn’t as bad as all that but, Lord, it wasn’t good. The end papers are royally screwed up and I’m debating whether I want to bother redoing them or just leave it all and chalk it up to the learning experience.
I honestly think I’m going back to doing some polymer clay covers–they’re simple compared to fabric, paper, and definitely leather. The biggest problem with pc is they either always have to be exposed spine sewings or I really have to figure out the hinge thing. I just need some reinforcement that I really do have some skill at bookbinding because this whole leather scenario has left me feeling a bit shaky.
So, where does that leave my blog right now? I still need to do the faux croc post, a post about making bookcloth (started but never finished), and a post regarding the different types of leather and bookbinding. Now, I need to add in a post about my failed Cervantes full-leather bound book (it was for a BEST team challenge). Sigh. I think I’m going to find some chocolate.
4 Comments so far...
richard norman Says:
9 July 2008 at 8:43 am.
Very sorry to hear that your first expedition into leather binding turned out less well than hoped for.
30 years ago when I was at college doing a 2 year full time intensive course in bookbinding and paper conservation, I had this dreadful habit of casing my books in upside down. I suppose I must have ruined 4 or 5 of my books in this way, so it happens to the best of us.
Come over to my site sometime, I don’t have a blog, I think I am to old for them 
Best Wishes
Richard Norman
http://www.edenworkshops.com
Lady Artisan Says:
9 July 2008 at 10:20 am.
Thanks so much for commenting. I ended up leaving the wacky endpapers in place and have just been using the book for a personal sketchbook for my doll designs. Most people who see the book in person actually compliment me very highly on it, so I expect I was being a bit over-critical. Although, there are a couple of spots that were out and out mistakes on my part, I can’t expect to get it perfect the first time And I certainly haven’t given up on the leather bookbinding–in fact I come up with ideas pretty regularly to try in leather so I’ll be back at it soon.
I have been at your site, by the way, while doing a bit of research on leathers for bookbinding. I found your article on using sheepskin for bookbinding–excellent article. I’ve got your site bookmarked for future perusal, as I have the time.
Thanks again!
Eva
Lady Artisan Says:
13 July 2008 at 9:17 am.
Thanks so much, Gale! Do you have a blog, as well? I’d love to see more of your books.
