Bookbinding is a professional elective offered by the School of Print Media that teaches a variety of hand binding and sewing techniques including: stab bindings, coptic sewing, long stitch sewing, concertina folds and bindings, and cased-in bindings. Taught by Scott McCarney, bookbinding allows RIT students to experience the hands on creation of physical books, keeping traditional techniques alive and relevant.

Kati Kreiser, a 4^th year Graphic Media student in the School of Print Media, recently completed the bookbinding class offered during the 2008-2009 winter quarter.  Kati states, “I really enjoyed the various forms of book binding and found out that it is not as easy as it looks. It takes time and concentration to ensure that the binding as well as the book is successful.”  Kati stated her favorite among the various techniques she learned and books she created was her coptic binding.

The supplies needed for the coptic binding included 2 boards, thread, 8 sections of regular paper, 2 end sections of contrasting paper, cloth, and decorative paper for the cover. After folding down sheets of paper to create sections, two separate covers are created out of the board, being the same height as the sections and 1/8” larger then the sections at the fore edge. The two boards are covered with 3/4 of their width with decorative paper and 1/4 of their width with cloth. Next, “sewing stations,” or the holes we sew through, are created, with the first station 1/2″ from the head and a second 3/8” from the tail. Two other sewing stations are placed at equal distances between the first and last stations. Once the sewing stations have been made in the sections and covers they can then be sewn together with a chain stitch linking across the spine.  First sew one cover and a section together.  Then keep adding sections until the second cover is sewn and tied on.  The book is then finished.

Kati said, “I really enjoyed the coptic binding because the binding, once completed, looked like it was braided. I also liked the colors that I chose and the decorative paper that I picked for this type of book. If I had to do this type of binding again I would make sure my tension was as tight as possible because if the thread was not pulled tight enough during the sewing the binding can move and the book can split.”

The bookbinding class allowed students to use their hands, creativity, and design skills to produce a collection of books and broadened their understanding of the traditional processes that developed into modern day book creation.  Kati concluded, “I would recommend this class if you are interested in learning more about different binding options and want hands-on experience crafting projects from start to finish.”

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