Designing Artists’ Books

Learn the essentials of bookbinding in this hands-on class! You’ll explore a variety of binding techniques, including:

• Strap-Bound Book – A distinctive binding where pages are secured between the covers with straps.
• Flag Book (Single & Double) –sculptural book based on an accordion book with papers (flags) glued to one or both sides of the accordion.
• Back-to-Back Accordion with Hard Covers – A visually striking format where pages are folded into a continuous zigzag and encased between boards.
• Stiff Leaf Binding – A rigid no-sew method where pages are glued to hinges made of book cloth.
• Drawstring Concertina/Swatch Book – A compact book without a spine and fastened with a drawstring that is perfect for showcasing samples or textures.

Along the way, you’ll master covering book board and making book cloth from scratch and you’ll explore surface design techniques to personalize your pages and stitching on paper to add intricate details. If time allows, you can experiment with combining different binding styles to create one-of-a-kind artist books. You’ll leave with a collection of handmade books and the skills you need to make even more!

Claudia Lee is a multidisciplinary studio artist, designer, consultant, author, and internationally recognized instructor. With a career that spans decades, her work has been featured in over thirty publications and is held in numerous private and public collections. A two-time recipient of the Master Craft Artist Grant and the Individual Artist Fellowship from the Tennessee Arts Commission, Claudia has been widely recognized for her contributions to the field. She is also the founder of Liberty Paper, a working studio and teaching facility in Liberty Tennessee, where she continues to create, innovate, and share her expertise with students from around the world.

$290 – $340