March 2018
Book arts: Paste paper
Paste paper is a centuries-old technique used to create colourful, beautifully patterned papers for use as endpapers, doublures, and sometimes cover papers of hand bound books. A starch paste mixed with ink or pigment is brushed or scraped onto dampened paper and then painted or combed into intricate patterns. You can use the papers you make in this class not only in your bookbinding projects, but also for covering boxes, creating backgrounds for scrapbook pages, or making one-of-a-kind greeting cards.…
Find out more »Bookbinding: Longstitch with wrapped leather cover
In this class you will create a lovely handbound pocket sized book in the German longstitch and linkstitch style, 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 cover some basic decorative variations in spine designs, incorporating long stitches and link stitches with the option to add some weaving to the spine as a decorative flourish. All materials are provided. No previous bookbinding…
Find out more »Book arts: Paper marbling
In this fun class you will learn how to create beautiful marble patterns on paper. In paper marbling, paint is suspended onto the surface of specially prepared thickened water and combed or swirled into intricate patterns, then transferred onto sheets of paper. These lusciously patterned sheets were traditionally used in bookbinding, but you can also use your finished papers in scrapbooks, collages, greeting cards, or even just framed for the wall! All materials are provided, and you will create between…
Find out more »April 2018
Bookbinding: Linkstitch
Linkstitch 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 books,…
Find out more »Book arts: Paper marbling
In this fun class you will learn how to create beautiful marble patterns on paper. In paper marbling, paint is suspended onto the surface of specially prepared thickened water and combed or swirled into intricate patterns, then transferred onto sheets of paper. These lusciously patterned sheets were traditionally used in bookbinding, but you can also use your finished papers in scrapbooks, collages, greeting cards, or even just framed for the wall! All materials are provided, and you will create between…
Find out more »Advanced block print on fabric (two week class)
In this class, students will design and carve their own lino block and learn how to print it on fabric in a repeating tile pattern. Week one will focus on design and block carving, and in week two you will print your fabric. You will go home with a two metre piece of fabric to enjoy as is or to use in future projects. This class runs for two weeks on Wednesday evenings, April 18 and 25, from 7 to…
Find out more »Hardcover stab bookbinding (two week class)
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. This class runs for two weeks…
Find out more »Wood intaglio (two week class)
Wood intaglio is a printmaking method that combines woodcut (relief) and intagio (engraving) processes to produce richly atmospheric backgrounds with contrasting strong lines. In this class students will learn what sorts of carved lines work best for intaglio printing, and will design and carve their own wood blocks. In the second week students will learn how to prepare paper for intaglio printing, how to modify ink and to ink up and wipe their block, and print using the intaglio press.…
Find out more »May 2018
Bookbinding: Coptic
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 »Two colour screenprints (two week class)
In this class you will learn the basics of how to create a two-colour silkscreen print on paper. We will cover: making positives or transparencies, exposing images on a screen, how to register (line up) your printing, and pulling prints. All materials are provided, including paper, and you will make an edition of at least six prints. This class runs for two weeks on Saturday afternoons, May 5 and 12, from 1-3:30pm. Please come with an idea, and sketches if…
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