Website: https://linenlaidfelt.com/
linenlaid&felt is a handmade bookbinding and book arts studio based in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded by Katie Gonzalez, the studio produces handbound books and teaches bookbinding classes and workshops. The work centers on traditional binding techniques and distinctive papers, with the studio name referencing the linen-embossed, laid, and felt papers used in its books. Alongside its made-to-order and ready-made books, the studio operates as a teaching practice, offering hands-on instruction in book arts to students at a range of skill levels.
Products
The studio creates a variety of handbound books, including:
- Handbound journals and sketchbooks
- Leather photo albums
- Wedding guest books
- Baby books
- Artist’s books
The work incorporates marbled paper covers and Coptic binding techniques, along with papers chosen for their distinctive textures. In addition to commissioned and ready-made pieces, the studio offers book arts classes and workshops as a core part of its practice. Selected items are also available through the studio’s Etsy shop.
About
linenlaid&felt was founded by Katie Gonzalez, who transitioned to full-time bookbinding in Nashville in 2011. She studied bookmaking in Cortona, Italy in 2006 at a medieval bindery, earned a graphic design degree from the University of Georgia, and worked as a publication designer before establishing the studio. Her practice draws on design, printmaking, painting, and photography skills in addition to traditional bookbinding methods. Gonzalez describes her mission as creating books for meaningful moments in people’s lives, stating that it is rewarding to make books that people use during very meaningful times and that she likes to think her books will become treasured heirlooms enjoyed for many years.
Location & Contact
The studio is based in Nashville, Tennessee, in the 37206 area. Inquiries can be sent by email to [email protected]. The studio also maintains an Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/linenlaidfelt. A phone number and business hours are not listed on the website.
Additional Information
Teaching is central to the studio’s work. Class offerings have included Handbound Leather Journals using an Italian Longstitch style with decorative spine stitching and flat-laying pages, and Coptic Binding, a multi-day course teaching hardcover construction with two-color woven stitching. Other offerings have included Introduction to Book Arts, a nine-week course covering more than a dozen binding styles in which students progress from simple folded structures to complex journals and sculptural pieces; Miniature Book Christmas Ornaments; Paste Papers and Pop-Up Books; a Paper Marbling Intensive; Suminagashi Japanese ink marbling; and intermediate courses focused on photo albums and exposed-spine and exposed-tape bindings. The studio states that classes provide materials and suit various skill levels. The website also includes portfolio, shop, press, and blog sections, along with a page of ideas for using handmade books.
Profile compiled from the company’s official website (linenlaidfelt.com).