December 2016
Block printed holiday wrapping
Make your own one-of-a-kind gift wrap in this fun class! Students will use a variety of hand carved wood and linoleum blocks as well as letterpress type to create richly layered holiday wrap. We’ll be using oil based printing inks on kraft paper sheets, and you will go home with 4 sheets of beautifully printed 25x38" paper.
Find out more »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 combine them with high quality bookbinding paper to make your unique journal or sketchbook. All materials, including paper, are provided, and you will leave the class with a finished book.
Find out more »Block printed t-shirts
In this class, students will create richly coloured prints on t-shirts using linoleum, woodblocks, rollers, and letterpress blocks. We will cover some of the challenges of printing on fabric versus paper, and use pre-cut blocks and other print matrices to experiment with printing both by hand and in a printing press. You will go home with a beautifully printed shirt!
Find out more »Bookbinding: Longstitch 2
In this variant form of Longstitch binding, a combination of longstitch and link stitch, folded sections of pages are sewn together by linking the sections through holes punched through a wraparound cover sheet to create a pattern of exposed sewing along the spine. For this sample book we will use a heavy paper cover sheet, but this binding style is perfect for covers made of heavy, flexible materials such as leather, vinyl, vellum, or some fabrics. 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 experience is necessary, and you do not need to have taken Longstitch 1 to take this class.
Find out more »January 2017
Two-colour screenprints (2-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.
This class runs for two weeks on Wednesday evenings, January 4 and 11, from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
All materials are provided, including paper, and you will make an edition of at least six prints.
Find out more »Knit night: January
Our casual monthly gathering for knitting and fibre arts. Show off projects, get help, or just drink tea and chat while knitting! All are welcome. Tea and snacks will be provided.
Find out more »Bookbinding: Drum leaf
Drum leaf binding is a rigid no-sew bookbinding method in which folded sheets of heavy drawing or printmaking paper are glued back-to-back to form a satisfyingly solid little book. Think children’s board books, without the board. This binding is ideal for artist book projects, as each sheet of paper is a complete, seamless two-page spread with no stitching breaking up the page gutter.
All materials are provided, including paper.
Find out more »Custom letterpress posters (2-week class)
In this fun class you will learn the basics of setting type, designing and printing your own 9×12″ letterpress poster. Use our collection of wood and metal types and ornaments to create your own unique design. If you have your own letterpress plates or carved linoblocks, those can be incorporated as well. You will print six posters using heavyweight white poster paper or your choice of eight other fun colours we have in stock, and you will have the option to use more than one colour in your prints.
This class runs for two weeks on Monday evenings, January 16 & 23, from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
All materials are provided, and no printmaking experience is necessary.
Find out more »Paper relief monotypes
In this fun class you will create a richly layered one-of-a-kind print in full colour using cut and torn paper assembled into a printing plate. Paper relief is an easy technique for producing monoprints mixing bold solids with complex atmospheric textures. If you enjoy making papercuts, this is a way that you can use that traditional method in printmaking!
All materials, including paper, are provided, and you will leave the class with at least one beautiful finished print. Depending on how you choose to prepare your plates you may have time to finish more than one print (most students make between 2 and 4 prints during this 3-hour class).
Find out more »Lino block printing
In this class you’ll learn the basics of carving and printing a relief print from a linoleum block. You will design and carve your own block and learn how to print it by hand as well as on a press, and will leave the class with an edition of six completed prints. You will have the option to print your block in one colour, or to try selectively inking your block to make a two colour print in one press run.
This class runs Tuesday evenings for two weeks on Wednesday evenings, January 18 and 25, from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
No printmaking experience is required, and all materials, including paper, are provided.
Find out more »