Bradel, Simplified, Even More Simplified Binding IN-PERSON workshop May 14-18, 2026 | Five all-day, in-person sessions, Chicago area. Students will construct three binding models. Details and registration: https://karenhanmer.com/gallery/p/bradel-family The Simplified Binding developed by Sün Evrard has an elegant, streamlined look. The book block is rounded only, not backed. A spine piece of thinned leather with a card stiffener is made off the book then attached. Boards are beveled at the inside spine edge to match the book’s natural shoulder and attached to the text block after being fully covered with decorative paper. Rolled endbands and leather hinges enhance the decor. The German three-piece Bradel Binding differs from the Simplified in that the spine is both rounded and backed, and the boards are not shaped at the spine edge. The spine is covered with thinned leather over a stiffened paper “bonnet” that has already been attached to reinforced endsheets. Turn-ins are completed after board attachment to hide some aspects of the binding’s construction that the Simplified Binding leaves visible. Binders may choose sewn or rolled endbands. Our third structure is inspired by a binding by Jen Lindsay. Still elegant but much leaner, the binding is stripped down to only the essential elements: boards glued onto the flange of a separate spine piece that the cords have been laced through. The leather spine wrapper is flush-cut at the head and tail, there are no endbands, uncovered boards made of laminated colored paper are attached and this attachment remains visible at the head and tail spine edge In this workshop you will make three distinct binding structures, while comparing and contrasting the nuances of their construction. More importantly, you will be liberated from slavishly following the dictates of a named binding structure and in the future choose whatever features and techniques are right for the mechanics and aesthetics of your unique project. -- Karen Hanmer www.karenhanmer.com Karen Hanmer Book Arts. Since 1997 answering the question "What will I do with my liberal arts degree?"