Islamic Bookbinding Workshop

Islamic bookbinding is one of the styles that developed in the Middle East before the 17th century. Used for everything from richly-decorated Qur’ans to scientific treatises, this style of bookbinding is recognizable by the pentagonal envelope flap. 

This style of bookbinding is recommended for advanced beginners or intermediate/advanced bookbinders who have some experience with kettle stitches, endband sewing, and general bookbinding techniques. 

This seven-class workshop series walks through all the stages of making a book in the Islamic style. Due to the nature of these classes some are planned to have longer slots of time then others to accommodate drying times and other waiting times. The first 4 classes will run 2-2.5 hours, the last 3 will run 1.5-2 hours. 

A video showing the tools and materials needed for all classes is available here: https://youtu.be/G_N6PfEk6g0

Pre-class 1: Cut and fold paper into gatherings (demonstration: https://youtu.be/PUS5XMSRrKk ) 

Materials needed: 

• 40 pieces of paper 8.5” x 5.5” (half letter size)

Class 1: Preparing the book block ~2-2.5 hours (7-9:30pm)

Materials needed:

• Prepared gatherings

• Awl

• Book cradle (or old phonebook or other to protect your workspace while punching holes)

• Scrap paperboard (or junk mail), pen/pencil, and ruler to make template

• Needle, sturdy (any kind; embroidery needle with a large eye is helpful for ease of threading)

• Thread, 60 weight silk thread is recommended (any weight below 120 should work; other materials can also be used)

• Scissors for thread

• Glue, wheat starch-based glue is recommended; acid-free ph-neutral PVA book glue also works; other kinds of PVA glue (such as Elmer’s glue) may also work. If using a pva glue, a brush may be helpful for application

• Finishing press; other kinds of presses or woodworking clamps should work as long as they have a working area at least 5.5” long. A stack of heavy books also works. 

• Parchment paper to line the press is *highly* recommended

Pre-Class 2: prepare the endband practice loom (demonstration: https://youtu.be/n-_9iGyGGcw )

Class 2: Gluing the spine lining and learning how to sew the endband ~1-2 hours (7-9pm)

Materials needed:

• Book thus far

• Linen strip, ~5.5” x 3” preferably coarse weave, white or undyed 

• Scissors for cutting linen and embroidery floss

• Glue (same as above) and brush (if needed)

• Finishing press can be helpful but isn’t necessary

• Cardboard practice loom

• Embroidery floss, 2 colors

• Embroidery needle

Class 3: Sewing the endbands ~ 2 hours (7-9pm)

Materials needed:

• Book thus far

• Small piece of scrap leather for endband core. Tightly rolled paper can also be used

• Thread (same as above), 2 colors

• Needle (same as class 1)

• Scissors for cutting thread

In-between Classes 3 & 4: sew the endband on the other side

Class 4: Preparing and gluing the cover boards ~ 1.5 hours (7-8:30pm)

Materials needed:

• Book thus far

• Cover board material (binder’s board, chipboard, or matting board), two pieces 5.5” x 4.25” 

• Exacto knife (or other tool to cut the cover board material)

• Cutting mat (or something to protect your work surface)

• Ruler or quilter’s square

• Pen or pencil

• Glue and brush (if needed)

• Parchment paper

• Finishing press

Pre-Class 5: prepare cover material at least a day in advance so it has time to dry before using. YouTube video demonstrating how to do this: [link will be available soon]:

There are two for learning how to do this:

• A separate FBAC class is being offered [link to class here]

• YouTube video: [link will be available soon]

Class 5: Attaching the cover and the flap ~ 1 hour (7-8pm)

Materials needed:

• Book thus far

• Cover material (bookcloth)

• Flap board (from previous class)

• Glue and brush (if needed)

• Press (simple press that can fit the book), or a stack of heavy books

• Parchment paper

• Bone folder (any material) is recommended but optional

Class 6: Trimming and turning-in the cover ~ 1-1.5 hours (7-8:30pm)

Materials needed:

• Book thus far

• Scissors to cut cover material

• Quilter’s square or ruler

• Pencil (or other to mark on inside of cover material)

• Glue and brush (if needed)

• Press 

• Parchment paper

• Bone folder (any material) is recommended but optional

Class 7: Attaching the doublures ~1-1.5 hours (7-8:30pm)

Materials needed:

• Book thus far

• Paper for doublures

• Cover material (extra piece from previous class)

• Glue and brush (if needed)

• Parchment paper

• Press

• Bone folder (any material) is recommended but optional

Please contact us at contact@frederickbookarts.org if you have any questions about the materials or tools needed.