December 2018
Coptic bookbinding variation: French link
French link is a binding similar to Coptic binding in which folded sections of paper are sewn together between rigid covers to create a decorative link-and-weave stitch across the exposed spine. This is an ideal method for binding albums and sketchbooks, as the book can be laid open entirely flat. In this introductory class you will create a book using cover boards that have been prepared in advance*. You will choose from a selection of cover boards culled from vintage…
Find out more »January 2019
Bind your own 2019 planner
Make your own personalized planner in time for the new year! You will receive pre-printed planner pages and design your own decorative paper cover, create customized inserts, and bind your planner using the simple and elegant Japanese Retchoso binding style, which opens flat for easy jotting or sketching. The basic planner will have 5 sections and a soft yet sturdy paper cover, and you can add extra pages, collage, envelope inserts, pockets, stamping with letterpress type, and more. All materials…
Find out more »Longstitch bookbinding, leather with diamond stitching
This class is a variation on our German Longstitch leather binding class, in which you will create a lovely handbound pocket sized book by sewing folded sections of paper through holes punched through a wraparound leather cover to create a pattern of exposed sewing along the spine. We will vary the position of stitching holes in the paper signatures and spine to create a diamond pattern, and discuss how you can design your own stitch patterns for one-of-a-kind bindings. All…
Find out more »Retchoso bookbinding
Retchoso bookbinding is a unique style of Japanese binding that joins folded sections of paper with a complex yet elegant stitch using one or two needles to create a slender notebook that opens perfectly flat. Sturdy multi-layer paper covers are built onto the book’s sections before binding. It’s a perfect binding for a portable notebook or sketchbook, or for chapbook publishing. All materials are included, and you will leave the class with a finished book. Space in the class is…
Find out more »Crossed structure bookbinding
Crossed structure is a fun and easy supported binding in which the sewing supports are part of a two-piece slotted cover that can be customized and decorated in numerous ways. We will be making a paper cover in the class, but this binding will work with fabric, leather, felt, book cloth, and many more materials. You will have time to make your cover one-of-a-kind using collage, paint, stamping, vintage rub-on letters, or stitching before assembling your pages and binding your…
Find out more »February 2019
Hardcover stab bookbinding
Stab binding is one of the simplest and earliest forms of bookbinding, using single sheets in which holes are stabbed or drilled and sewn on the outside using a variety of traditional stitch patterns. In this follow-up to the softcover stab binding class, you will learn how to make a Westernized version of this traditional Japanese binding with a hard hinged cover. You can take this class without having taken the softcover class first. All materials are provided, including paper,…
Find out more »Buttonhole bookbinding
In this easy yet elegant binding, folded sections of paper are sewn through a stiffened paper cover with a decorative beaded stitch that beautifully frames an open slot in the book’s spine, offering a glimpse of the pages within. Stitching wrapped around the head and foot of the reinforced paper spine gives the look of a thread headband at the edges of the spine. The product is a sturdy and solid book that you’ll love to use for writing or…
Find out more »March 2019
Coptic bookbinding with collage cover
Coptic binding is an ancient bookbinding method in which folded sections of paper are sewn together between rigid covers to create a decorative chain stitch across the exposed spine. This is an ideal method for binding albums and sketchbooks, as the book can be laid open entirely flat. This class runs fro two weeks on Wednesday evenings, March 6 & 13, from 7 to 9:30pm. In the first session you will prepare your cover and will have time to make…
Find out more »Crossed structure bookbinding
Crossed structure is a fun and easy supported binding in which the sewing supports are part of a two-piece slotted cover that can be customized and decorated in numerous ways. We will be making a paper cover in the class, but this binding will work with fabric, leather, felt, book cloth, and many more materials. This class runs for two weeks on Tuesday evenings, March 19 & 26, from 7 to 9:30pm. In the first session you will have time…
Find out more »April 2019
Coptic bookbinding
Coptic binding is an ancient bookbinding method in which folded sections of paper are sewn together between rigid covers to create a decorative chain stitch across the exposed spine. This is an ideal method for binding albums and sketchbooks, as the book can be laid open entirely flat. In this introductory class you will create a book using cover boards that have been prepared in advance*. You will choose from a selection of cover boards culled from vintage books, and…
Find out more »