Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (by February 10): $260
Regular Price (after February 10): $286

Online registration is closed for this class. Please call 312-255-3700 to register.

Seminar Description

Vellum, a fine material made from calfskin, was used frequently in early bookbinding as both a substrate upon which manuscripts were written and as a covering material. Flexible and durable, but with a mind of its own, vellum is a beautiful and challenging material. This class will introduce participants to its use. We will begin by exploring the Newberry’s collections to see how the material was used and re-used, then we will proceed to make two traditional styles of early bindings: a long stitch binding with a wooden spine and a laced on limp vellum book. Six sessions.

Barbara Korbel is retired from a 34-year career as a book conservator at the Newberry Library and previously, the Art Institute of Chicago. She received her BA from Dominican University and MA from Northern Illinois University. She has taught classes and workshops at a variety of venues including Columbia College Book & Paper, Paper & Book Intensive, Penland School of Craft, and Haystack School of Craft and continues to teach at the Newberry Library, drawing inspiration for classes from their special collections.

Materials List

Required:

• In addition to the following tools which can be purchased at Blick’s Art Supply, there will be a materials fee of $20 for this class that will cover the cost of materials.

  **Bone folder
  Scissors
  Metal ruler in 1/16” increments
  Pencil and eraser
  X-Acto or OLFA knife
  **Awl with fine point
  45 degree triangle
  **Sewing Needles
  Cutting mat or board

  ** available in the Newberry Bookstore

First Readings:

• None

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.