The Binding of Enclosures

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the binding of… E N C L O S U R E S: T I M E S A N D P L A C E S A fairly chronological but far from comprehensive account of a long, long journey undertaken without a reliable map. Not really for those with a life. Further explanation on request. I expect zero response. Surprise me. See the completed binding here.

Preparing a palette of monochrome feathered parings for the lacunose strap. Note original design printout.	Lacunose for strap with superimposed cutting template	Plan of Stonehenge
Stylised Stonehenge design for inner covers	Tooling parallel lines around inner cover design elements.	Tooling parallel lines around inner cover design elements.
Inking stonework design on the dyed Tyvek wrapper.	Perforating the wrapper to aid folding the concertina.	Cutting the rather tediously shaped lacunose strap, which required…
…an unwieldy improvised cutter.	Applying dyed sewing tape over the temporarily-sewn concertina in preparation for sewing endbands.	Sewing endband with dyed thread over rolled leather core.
Sewing endband with dyed thread over rolled leather core.	Sewing endband with dyed thread over rolled leather core.	Completed endband. White loops are an extension of the first stage sewing.
Cutting the outer laminate from a beautiful skin of Harmatan Nigerian goatskin.	Various printed templates.	Roman numeral hand tools on loan from Trevor Lloyd.
Sewing templates/notes and magnesium block.	Crosshatched ring blocked in silver foil (rear cover).	Crosshatched ring blocked in silver foil (front cover).
Blinding circles with a farthing wheel.	Blinding circles with a farthing wheel.	Cutting very thin leather onlays.
Cutting very thin leather onlays.	Applying onlays into blocked impressions before blocking again to consolidate.	Applying onlays into blocked impressions before blocking again to consolidate.
Clockface onlays.	Removing the surface leather in preparation for the sewing holes.	Inserting rings of alum-tawed goatskin into the consolidated impressions.
Cutting out the laminated covers.	Cutting out the laminated covers.	So far, so good. Phew!
Punching the sewing holes through the inner laminate.	Lacunose strap opened up to facilitate second stage sewing.	Second stage sewing.
Second stage sewing.	Second stage sewing.	Second stage sewing.
Closing the lacunose strap.	Completed sewing.	Punching holes for the parchment donuts that will secure the cover straps.
Sewing the cover straps with silver wire.	Sewing the cover straps with silver wire. Note brain switch in 'off' position during this operation.	Still sewing.
Silver wire - tricky stuff.	Making the lacunose buttons.	Making the lacunose buttons.
Completed buttons.	Opening the cover foredges to insert carbon rods for rigidity.	Opening the cover foredges to insert carbon rods for rigidity.
Inserting magnets into the polypropylene stand.	Inserting magnets into the polypropylene stand.	Cutting the Tyvek-covered foamboard box inserts.
'Snake coffin' box walls.	Assembling Windmill paper fragments for stonework design.	Assembling Windmill paper fragments for stonework design.
Coating cut 'stones' with gloss gel.	Looks relatively simple, doesn't it? It was actually by far the most testing and tedious part of the entire production. Never again!