Four Needle Binding

I was very excited to learn this new binding at the Sacramento Book Art Group meeting this month. The title says four, but it really matters on the amount of needles you use. In my binding I used four. This has become one of my favorites, due to the fact, that like the coptic binding, it lays very flat when open. I'll be making a larger one for an artist journal. Our fearless leader Sharon, even had us fold our signatures using the octavo method, folding one large sheet down to eight.

It was also my first experience learning what it means to improvise with tools. While reading, A Degree of Mastery by Annie Temmel Wilcox, she talks extensively about adopting tools from all professions into the perfect binding tools. To cut the pages while folding my octavo, Sharon gave me an antique knife to slide in between pages and cut. The purpose was a cutting tool needed that was not sharp or serrated. It work so well I'll be on the look out at garage sales to acquire one.

This month I will be sending off two applications for conservation experience this summer. The application for the SFMOMA is already in the mail, but I still have to work on the fellowship for The Huntington Library. I am very excited about both and hope to really expand my knowledge this summer. I'll be anxiously awaiting their responses in the next month or so.

Just a friendly advanced reminder of a public program coming to the Book Club of California on May 16th, "From Scrolls to Codex." Presentation given by David Sider, professor of Classical Studies at NYU. Anything that has to do with the history of books, sign me up.

Also, just began reading The Archimedes Codex: How a Medieval Prayer Book is Revealing the True Genius of Antiquity's Greatest Scientist by Netz & Noel. Looks to be another book I'll be adding to the Resources section. Page turner indeed!

Happy binding!