Skip to content

Big River Bindery

Practicing the Book Arts in the Greater Toronto Area

Home
Conservation and Restoration
Custom Bookbinding
Boxes and Enclosures
Letterpress Printing
Workshops
Movie Props
The Equipment
What’s Happening in the Shop
Press
Book Arts in Canada
About
Contact

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

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

Building a case or cover for a clamshell box. The

Building a case or cover for a clamshell box. The separate pieces all get attached to the cloth to start. Using a roller with the PVA makes it quick work. #bookbinding #boxmaking #clamshellbox #bookarts #torontobookarts

I had a great day at @gwartzmans teaching the Tunn

I had a great day at @gwartzmans teaching the Tunnel Book. The students worked hard and made some amazing books. A fun Saturday on Spadina! #bookbinding #bookarts #tunnelbook #torontobookarts

Had a great book launch for @e.m._harrison new boo

Had a great book launch for @e.m._harrison new book on Canadian artist publications. It was great having familiar faces and some new ones come celebrate the new book and print a keepsake. Congratulations Elijah. #bookbinding #bookarts #artistsbooks

Today is the last day if the workshop at @american

Today is the last day if the workshop at @americanacademyofbookbinding, so I did some last minute work in the studio. These boards got another layer of paper before resting in the press. #bookbinding #boardlining #bookarts #leatherboundbook

After adding leather hinges to our books, we had t

After adding leather hinges to our books, we had to make sure there’s no puckering or lifting when the board closes. Luckily these joints seem in good shape. Almost done with the books. #bookbinding #leatherboundbook #leatherhinge #bookarts @americanacademyofbookbinding

So much fine tuning in a leather binding. Finding

So much fine tuning in a leather binding. Finding every lump or bump, then scraping it away. We want the finished cover to be smooth and flat when done. It did go much slower than this in real life. #bookbinding #bookarts #leatherboundbook #paringleather @americanacademyofbookbinding

We’re not done with sanding our book yet. After

We’re not done with sanding our book yet. After sanding the spines, we lined the boards front and back so we need to sand the extra off the edges. This takes its time, but comes out so smooth. Back to more sanding. #bookbinding #leatherboundbook #sandingboards #bookarts @americanacademyofbookbinding

We’re on to paring our leather for our books. St

We’re on to paring our leather for our books. Starting with a scharf-fix makes the first cuts quick and easy. #bookbinding #leatherboundbook #paringleather #bookarts

It’s time to sand away the layers of paper on th

It’s time to sand away the layers of paper on the spine. We’re looking for smooth and flat, as it will all show through the leather once applied. #bookbinding #leatherbinding #sanding #paperlayers #bookarts @americanacademyofbookbinding

After lacing on the boards, the cords get frayed o

After lacing on the boards, the cords get frayed out on the inside of the board. Some paste and a tight fit keep the boards on the book for the rest of the steps. #bookbinding #leatherboundbook #lacedboards #bookarts

Last night I laced on the boards on one of my book

Last night I laced on the boards on one of my books. The frayed cords attach the cover boards to the text block before the leather goes on the book. #bookbinding #leatherbook #lacedonboards #bookarts

Sewing is a traditional method for attaching pages

Sewing is a traditional method for attaching pages in books, though the styles and techniques have evolved over time. Join us to sew multiple books using sewing structures ranging from early bindings sewn on leather and cord to 19th-century structures sewn over woven tapes. See the workshop details on our website, link in the bio. #bookbinding #bookarts #sewnbooks #sewingvariations

This afternoon we plowed the edge of our book at @

This afternoon we plowed the edge of our book at @americanacademyofbookbinding. After careful adjusting to keep it square, the process was easy. Such a flat shiny top of the book. While this rests, I’ll work on rounding and backing my next one. #bookbinding #plowing #leatherbinding #bookarts

Follow on Instagram

Follow Us!

Sign up for email notices of events and classes.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Proudly powered by WordPress