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Appliquéd Leather Blank Book
March 5, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
$200.00An In-Studio Workshop!
Saturday, March 5, 10am-4pm
View our current in-studio Health and Safety Policies >>
About this Workshop:
Join us for a full day of fun learning how to both overlay and underlay leather in the creation of beautiful stitched imagery on a leather bound book. An overlay is created by laying leather on top of an existing piece of leather and an underlay is created by layering a piece of leather behind a hole cut into a piece of leather.
Students will start by making a stencil to transfer their individual artwork onto the leather. From there we will learn how to shape, cut and “skive” the leather (a process used to reduce thickness) to fit the pattern as well as how to effectively use different hides to achieve desired results. After all the stitching is done the cover will be added to bookbinding boards that wrap around a 10”x7” (145 page) paper block. Add in some end papers and book cloth—and you will have constructed your very own leather bound book!
Level: Intermediate – Students must have sewing experience.
Registration closes February 23, 2022 to allow time for students to gather/purchase any needed supplies for class. Material fees are included with your registration to cover items provided in class, including paper and chalk pouches to make templates; leather; bookbinding boards, book cloth, end papers and bookbinding glue. Students will also be given information on acquiring materials for future use.
Sample books and appliquéd leather examples by Chase DeForest
CLASS MATERIALS LIST:
Registration includes a $43 materials fee to cover consumable materials provided in class, including paper and chalk pouches to make templates; leather; bookbinding boards, book cloth, end papers and bookbinding glue. Students will need to supply additional materials of their own, including:
- Personal sewing machine with zipper or roller wheels (note: there will be a few available that can be loaned to participants for the class)
- Thread
- Retractable utility knife with a thin profile – example
- A good pair of sharp scissors
- Sketches of ideas for the project (image should be no larger than 6”x9”)
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Chase DeForest creates stitched leather imagery broadly exploring themes surrounding cattle and the American west. She also makes more abstract work indulging in the pure materiality of leather—its unexpected color palette, elasticity, and durability.
DeForest was raised riding horses on a small family farm out west. Through an unexpected turn of events later in life, she came across the idiosyncratic world of custom cowboy boot makers. In becoming one, she discovered the many values and potential of leather and has now also taken the medium from the foot to the wall. Prior to this DeForest spent over two decades working in visual arts management. Highlights include working for the artist Dale Chihuly, and bringing to fruition the critically acclaimed Clyfford Still Museum. During those years she also designed and built custom furniture for private clients before swapping wood for hide. Learn more about her work at www.chasedeforest.net.