Medieval Girdle Book:

Gothic, or late medieval bindings, may be characterized by shaped wooden boards covered in leather or tanned skin, raised bands of alum-tawed leather or fiber cords, and metal clasps.

In this class we will produce a quarter-bound Gothic binding. Students will learn how to sew on double cords, trim textblocks, sew endbands, shape wooden boards, and fabricate clasps. The class combines bookbinding, woodworking, and metalsmithing skills in the fabrication of a historical model.

This is a HYBRID workshop, with the IN PERSON and ONLINE sessions being held simultaneously. Each session will be recorded, and all registered students will have access to the recordings for at least 90 days. 

Students may choose to follow along with the instructor in real time, or simply observe and download the recording for future reference.

If you choose to participate ONLINE, please note you will receive a mailed kit. If you wish to follow along in real-time, please register before Thursday, October 8th to receive the kit before the workshop begins.

Level: This class is appropriate for adult students at all skill levels.
Dates & Times: 6 Thursdays, October 22nd – December 3d; 6:00 pm-9:00 pm CST (No class on Thanksgiving)
Max. no of students: 8 In Person and 10 Online
Instructor: Kevin Auer
Cost IN PERSON: $450 tuition & $40 materials
Cost ONLINE: $450 tuition & $40 materials + $15 shipping
Please choose the appropriate ticket type below.

Members receive a 10% discount off the cost of the workshop, among other benefits.
Click here to join as a Member, then choose the Member Rate below.

Completion of this class will qualify you to use the studios for your own projects.
Details on Open Studio may be found here.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Kevin Auer trained as an apprentice in bookbinding with Scott Mullenberg in Portland, Maine. He then worked as a conservation technician for a number of years at Cornell University. After graduating from the conservation program at the University of Texas at Austin, Kevin worked as a book conservator at the Walters Art Museum. Kevin learned letterpress from David Wolfe in Portland, Maine. He co-owned Wolfe Editions, a small shop that specialized in artists’ books and limited edition work. Kevin also ran his own shop for a number of years doing letterpress printing and book binding. He has taught letterpress at Dartmouth College, The Maryland Institute College of Art, and The University of Texas at Austin. Kevin is currently the Director of the Communication Design Program at The University of Houston, Victoria.