Master Bookbinder Alan Jeffrey presents, in conjunction with the Alternative Print Workshop, an exciting new range of Bookbinding workshops. The first chapter of this series is the Introduction to Bookbinding Workshop. As numerous binding methods are available to the aspiring bookbinder, great care was taken in designing this foundational workshop.

In this full-day intensive and practical workshop participants will learn the basic and most necessary bookbinding skills to create a 64 page adhesive-free limp binding book. Paper basics and tearing are discussed and demonstrated, as well as all the tools, techniques, stitching, knotting, cover assembly and binding plans associated with this beautiful handcrafted process. The hand-bound book can be used as an artist book, diary, notebook or sketchbook. This workshop is closely associated with APW’s historical photographic process workshops as well as Niall Bingham’s Linocut Workshop where participants learn to create linocut book cover designs.

A maximum of 12 participants are accepted in this workshop. Complete beginners and ages 14 and upward are welcome to enroll. All materials are included in the workshop fee. As this workshop is very popular, early booking is essential.

Alan Jeffrey: Worked for 11 years at the then African Museum, now MuseumAfrica. During that time he studied Museum Technology at the Cape Technikon from 1983 to 1985. In 1990 he was invited to apprentice for Roger Bolton, master binder at the Brenthurst Library. He was trained, full-time, in all aspects of bookbinding and book restoration. He apprenticed for 10 years when he took over the running of Brenthurst bindery in 2001. In 2012 he retired but continues to work twice a week at the Brenthurst Library where he is training two assistants while, at the same time, handing over the day-to-day running of the bindery. He continues to do bookbinding and book restoration for private clients as well as presenting educational workshops.

Duration: 1 Day
Time: 08:30 –16:00
Class Size: Max 8