Traditional Blind Tooling Class—Oct 24 @ 10 am to 5 pm

In this advanced workshop, you will learn the art of traditional blind tooling—the decorative technique used to impress patterns into leather without the use of gold foil.

This class has limited seating, so sign up early.

Blind tooling was widely used across medieval Europe, particularly in Gothic bindings, where heated brass tools were pressed into dampened leather to create repeating geometric, floral, and architectural designs. The result is a subtle, durable decoration that deepens with age.

In this class, students will bring a previously completed full-leather binding to work with. Appropriate structures include:

• Full-Leather Single Cord Binding
• Medieval Miniature Full-Leather Binding
• Any structurally sound leather binding

Under guided instruction, you will:

• Learn proper leather preparation for tooling
• Practice layout and spacing using traditional design approaches
• Use heated brass tools safely and effectively
• Create borders, panels, and repeating impressions
• Develop confidence in historic surface decoration techniques

By the end of the workshop, your binding will carry the character and visual language of medieval craftsmanship.

Skill Level & Prerequisites

This is an advanced finishing workshop.

Participants must bring one or two completed full-leather bindings appropriate for tooling. We recommend books completed in one or both of the following classes:

• Full-Leather Single Cord Binding
• Medieval Miniature Full-Leather Binding

Students should be comfortable working with leather and understand basic book structure.

What to Bring

• Your completed full-leather binding
• Any layout sketches you wish to explore

All tooling equipment and some practice leather will be provided.

What You’ll Leave With

• A historically inspired blind-tooled leather binding
• Foundational understanding of medieval tooling traditions
• Practical skills in layout, spacing, and heat control