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Big River Bindery

Practicing the Book Arts in the Greater Toronto Area

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Big River Bindery

What’s Happening in the Shop

We’re working hard and having fun in the shop. See some of what we’ve been doing here.

bigriverbindery

Went in to the shop to cut the adhesive off this p Went in to the shop to cut the adhesive off this perfect bound book. Now it’s ready for a new adhesive binding. The guillotine ready makes it easy. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #guilotine #choppingbooks #torontobookarts
When an adhesive bound book has failed, we need to When an adhesive bound book has failed, we need to disbind the book so we can reglue it. Now that it’s in smaller parts, we will cut off the old adhesive and put it back together. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
Spending the afternoon reattaching lifted endsheet Spending the afternoon reattaching lifted endsheets on this book. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
I’m attaching the loose boards back on this ledg I’m attaching the loose boards back on this ledger. We make sure the boards attach in the right place so the squares are even and protecting the text block. Next we add the new spine. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #addingboards #torontobookarts
The children’s books continue by gluing down the The children’s books continue by gluing down the lifted cover cloth. This helps hide most of the new spine and keeps the original look of the book. #bookconservation #bookrepair #newspine #reback #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
Was at @openstudio_toronto last night for a member Was at @openstudio_toronto last night for a member workshop with @etigson on making scrolls. A great workshop and a fun evening in the shop. Thanks to Open Studio and to Daniel. #bookbinding #scroll #japanesepaper #washi
Today we rebound a hand bible. The original adhesi Today we rebound a hand bible. The original adhesive binding had failed, so we rebound the loose sheets using a process known as a Double Fan Adhesive binding and holds better than the usual perfect binding. Thanks to @e.m._harrison for the extra hands. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
Today we’ve been reattaching lifted endpapers. T Today we’ve been reattaching lifted endpapers. The new hinge has been applied, so we’re hiding the repair under the original endpaper. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
Once the new spine is on, I have to turn-in, or fi Once the new spine is on, I have to turn-in, or finish the head and tail. Some glue and careful ticking and the spine is complete. #bookconservation #bookrepair #newspine #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
When fixing a book, we try to reduce the amount of When fixing a book, we try to reduce the amount of original adhesive on the spine of the textblock. With a modern binding, we have to switch from methylcellulose to heat to soften and remove the glue lining the spine. A little more work, but we can clean up and reshape the book. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #cleaningthespine #torontobookarts
Adding a new spine to this book today. This new sp Adding a new spine to this book today. This new spine adds structure and support to the book. I’ll let it dry then clean up the edges. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
We want to secure and strengthen bent corners on t We want to secure and strengthen bent corners on the books we work on. Here I’m covering the corner with toned Japanese paper so it blends in better when done. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #cornerrepair #bookarts #torontobookarts
The last step in making clamshell boxes is to atta The last step in making clamshell boxes is to attach the trays to the case. Then I practice my Tetris skills, getting weights across the entire tray to insure good attachment. These boxes will rest for a bit then head to the client. #bookbinding #boxmaking #clamshellbox #bookarts #torontobookarts #tetris
These detached boards are going back on the books, These detached boards are going back on the books, hinged on with cambric cloth. It’s great when it comes together. Next we add the new spine. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
I’m replacing a missing endpaper on this childre I’m replacing a missing endpaper on this children’s book. The back board image was copied onto similar paper, then trimmed and tipped back onto the book. #bookbinding #bookconservation #bookrepair #endpaper #bookarts #torontobookarts
I’ve been under the weather for a few days, so s I’ve been under the weather for a few days, so slowly getting the shop back up to speed. Today I unpacked materials for my summer bookbinding course. These drawing pads are a great way to get text weight paper in smaller quantities. Now to trim them all down. #bookbinding #bookarts #bookartsmaterials #unboxing
I finished out the week filling the inside of the I finished out the week filling the inside of the clamshell box cases. You want to fill the empty space and equalize the pull do the adhesive. #bookbinding #clamshellbox #case #boxmaking #bookarts #torontobookarts
Took a break from box making to clean the spine of Took a break from box making to clean the spine of this book. Used Methylcellulose to soften the original glue and some scraping to make it clean. #bookbinding #bookconservation #bookrepair #cleaningthespine #bookarts #torontobookarts
The clamshell box cases need a strip of bookcloth The clamshell box cases need a strip of bookcloth to finish the inside before the trays go on. I want them tight to the case so it opens well. #bookbinding #boxmaking #bookarts #torontobookarts
The clamshell covers need the edges turned in. It’s a bit more complicated with larger boxes but the right tools make it quick. #bookbinding #boxmaking #clamshellbox #bookarts #torontobookarts
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