Medieval Leather Journal In-Store Class
Sunday, Nov 1, noon-4pm
Instructor: Jeff Becker
Limit: 6 students. All participants must be 15 years or older.

Class Details

We love the rough, irregular look of this leather journal from local book artist Jeff Becker. It features the German long stitch, which dates to the 1300s and is a type of binding with signatures sewn directly through the leather cover. These exposed stitches form a decorative pattern on the spine. The long stitch was particularly popular in the medieval period because it’s strong, travels well, and also lets the pages of the opened book lie flat to make writing and sketching easy.

Create your own medieval journal, literally from start to finish, with Jeff. Begin by tearing down large sheets of paper to create pages, assembling the pages into signatures, and then sewing the signatures into the leather cover. Add extra touches with end papers and an attached bookmark to enhance the book’s character. Finally, personalize your new journal by embellishing the wrap closure with a button and large beads.

The end result is a durable journal that’s meant for use. It stands up to lots of daily wear and tear and looks more and more handsome with age!

An email will be sent to participants the Monday before the class. Classes with homework may receive pre-class info earlier. No email? Double check the email address you entered when you registered and your SPAM folder. Due to SPAM filters and inbox settings, we cannot guarantee you will see, read, or open these emails. Two Hands Paperie assumes no responsibility for non-attendance of a class. Contact twohandsclasses@gmail.com with any class questions and see our Class Policies page for more information.

Class Materials

Please bring the following materials:

Button with shank for the closure
Optional: plain and/or decorative paper to use for end papers. The orientation is portrait and grain is not important. Before class, cut out two pieces 7” wide by 9 and 9/16” tall. (Decorative endpapers are supplied. If you prefer to select your own, there are a variety of papers for purchase in the store. Your optional endpapers need to be cut before class.)
Optional: favorite ribbon for bookmarks - 2 ribbons, each 16" inches long (total of 32" inches) and no greater than ¾” wide. (A selection of ribbons is supplied. If you prefer to select your own, there's a variety for purchase in the store.)
Optional: beads for embellishment

Jeff brings additional covers to buy if you’d like to make more journals at home. The covers are $20 each, cash or check directly to him.

Class Materials Include:

Leather covers
Page paper
A selection of decorative endpapers to choose from
Waxed linen thread
Ribbon bookmarks
Bookbinding tools to use in class

Class Refund/Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made up to 14 days prior to the first class meeting will be refunded or, at the participant's option, used to pay for another class. Two Hands Paperie will retain a $10 processing fee for EACH class cancelled by a participant. After 14 days, there is no refund or credit. In addition, the fee for a class cancelled within this 14-day timeframe by a participant cannot be transferred to pay for another class. These policies are to ensure that teachers are compensated for their investment in materials and in time spent preparing for the class. We reserve the right to cancel a class if fewer than 3 students enroll 48 hours prior to the scheduled class time. If for any reason Two Hands Paperie cancels a class, students will be called at the phone number on file and refunded the FULL class fee.

Instructor Bio

Jeff Becker experimented with different media for years before discovering the book. He was immediately drawn to the possibilities of the form: how binding serves as an introduction to the content; the effect of structure on movement; the delightful anticipation one experiences when turning a page; the subsequent surprise or resolution; and how all the senses are involved when one handles a book. Jeff has been making journals ever since, and currently teaches workshops for Two Hands Paperie, The Book Arts League, the pARTiculars gallery in Lafayette, and the Lafayette Library. His education includes classes at the American Academy of Bookbinding, workshops with local and nationally known binders, and trial and error. See his work at https://www.facebook.com/FatCactusStudios

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Medieval Leather Journal In-Store Class Nov 1