Strong Arm Bindery: A Bookbinding Adventure!

My bookbinding adventure began with a walk down a blustery alleyway at the Portland Company Complex on Fore Street in Portland’s Old Port.  The building looked deserted, aside from the chirping of the birds living in the eaves.  But Strong Arm Bindery’s studio is alive and well, tucked away on the second floor of the Complex, in a brick and stone building that once served as storage for a foundry. 

The studio space is vintage-cool.  Light floods the room through floor to ceiling windows.  The shelves that line one wall are original foundry storage shelves, and also provide good climbing for Dirty Girl, Strong Arm’s kitty mascot.  (Dirty Girl is named for her penchant for rolling in the dirt.)  Martha Kearsley, the owner of the Bindery, greeted me at the door and immediately made me feel at home.  

The two-day workshop I decided to try was an intro to the classic case binding.  I was excited, but a little nervous as well.  I'd never bound anything before and I didn't know how I'd ever assemble a pile of paper, cover board, waxed linen, and book cloth into anything that looked remotely attractive.  But I had faith in Martha, and she proved to be an excellent instructor.  She knows her stuff—she learned the art of bookbinding and restoration 18 years ago at the North Bennett Street School in Boston, and she's been in business for 12 years.  She explained and demonstrated every step carefully and had no problem repeating anything when I inevitably asked.  She also has a great sense of humor and put up with the, "Oh my GOD I'M MAKING A BOOK!" outbursts I'd have every so often.

The workshop felt like therapy.  As Martha brought us through measuring and cutting, folding signatures, sewing the signatures into a text block, and building a case for the cover, the outside world disappeared for a little while and I relaxed into the work.  The studio space was soothing as well, and I loved having Dirty Girl around, checking out our work and winding through our legs and asking to come in and go out every few minutes, as cats do.  

And...I'm really pleased with the finished product!

Martha will be offering new workshops soon at Strong Arm in non-adhesive binding and box making.  I'll definitely be checking them out!

I took a bazillion pics in the course of two days, but here are a few:

 
And...Dirty Girl, Princess of the Bindery!

Comments

[Michelle Banks]

I love this space! I love your description of your experience...LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

[Donna]

Thanks Michelle!! It was fun! :))

[Amber Hall]

What a fabulous venture. I'm so glad you blogged about it Donna! It made me feel like I was there too though you have a final product and I don't. :<(

Kind regards,
Amber Hall

[Donna]

Thanks Amber, I'm glad you stopped by! :))

[Kate]

What a cool workshop! It sounds like a really awesome experience. I love your pictures, too!!

[Donna]

Thanks Kate! :))

[George]

That's why Portland is the bomb. Right in the heart of the city, a place that looks like Ye Olde Blacksmith but makes books. Amazing.

[Donna]

Exxxxactly, George. I was totally captivated when I walked in. lol She had me at hello.