Book Arts WORKSHOP
 
Bookmark and Share
Wooden Book with Centipede Binding
Instructor: Daniel Essig
 

The Greek binding is an ornate historical binding dating from the 7th century.   This stitch has many similarities to the Ethiopian Style binding, but has a strikingly different effect.  We will maximize this difference by sewing with 2 different colors of thread. The elegant sewing structure, combined with wooden covers, opens a wide range of possibilities for both the beginner and the advanced bookbinder.  Using simple hand tools, you will drill, shape, and smooth your book covers.  Finishing includes sealing your wooden covers with milk paint creating the leathery appearance that I use on much of my work.  Once our books are painted, sealed and sewn, we will attach the Centipede stitch as an adornment to our book.  The centipede binding is easily mastered after one understands the structure and workings of the Greek binding. Many of Daniel’s books are featured in the Penland Book of Handmade Books.

 
 
 
Click photos to zoom. Copyright Daniel Essig
 
  Studio & Material Fee:
 

Material fee covers:

  • Wood covers
  • text blocks
  • handmade paper
  • mica
  • assorted waxed linen thread
  • needles
  • drill bits
  • wax
  • sandpaper
  • steel wool
  • assorted milk paint colors
  • other materials needed to complete the projects and miscellaneous studio supplies
 
  Student Supplies:
  Students should bring the following supplies:
  • Pencils: wood, mechanical, white colored.
  • 6-18" metal ruler

  • Bone folder
  • 1 inch foam brush
  • Awls
  • Scissors
  • Exacto knife and blades
  • Cutting matte
  • Dust Mask
  • Thin or light weight materials: decorative and text papers, photos, insect wings, leafs, feathers, etc.
  • Buttons and beads
  • Favorite tools and materials you enjoy using.
 
  Optional Supplies:
 

Japanese paper drill, ¼ inch flexcut palm chisel and Dremmel Stylus with chuck attachment.

   
 
 
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
 




   
 
   

registration
 
Program Details
 
 
Date: 6/4/2010 to
6/6/2010
Time: 9:30 AM-
4:30 PM
Level: All Levels
Min/Max: 8/15
 
  Fees
 
 
Registration Fee $442.50
Studio & Material Fee $35.00
New Page 2
  Program Complete
 

about the instructor
 

Daniel Essig got into bookbinding while studying photography at the University of South Illinois at Carbondale. One of his first books was an altered book, printed in Greek, with bindery that was completely self-taught. Rather than mounting his photography on gallery walls, he decided to place them in boxes or books so the viewer had to actively explore the art, rather than passively wandering past. At that time, he met Al Buck, who was making wooden-covered Coptic books. This binding was first used around the fourth century, in Ethiopia or North Africa, or perhaps this is just the area where the books were best preserved. Unlike most hand-bound books, Coptic books open completely flat. Images on the pages were wholly visible without struggling with the binding.

Dolph Smith helped push Daniel beyond the simple Ethiopian book, with his sculptural books that hung paper from wooden structures. Daniel's bridge books using the same Coptic binding with exaggerated elements were developed under that influence.

After completing his degree at Carbondale, his mentor Frances Lloyd Swedlund encouraged Daniel to attend the Penland School of Crafts, where he concentrated exclusively on Ethiopian Coptic books.
Instructor Web Site