Bookbinding Masterclass

Introduction to Book Arts (Beginner / Open Level)

Discover the joy of making books by hand in this welcoming Introduction to Book Arts course. In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of bookbinding while getting comfortable with traditional tools and techniques. Step by step, we’ll explore classic methods such as saddle stitch, Japanese stab binding, and concertina, along with variations like back-to-back binding. You’ll also learn how to create a hard cover book, a sleeve soft cover, and perhaps pocket book. Along the way, you’ll experiment with materials, build confidence in your skills, and leave with a collection of beautiful handmade pieces to inspire your creative journey.

Open to beginners and those with some creative experience, this course is perfect for anyone curious about bookmaking, whether you’re an artist, writer, sketchbook lover, or simply someone who enjoys learning new crafts.

Overview

The purpose of this class is to develop skills in book arts and support participants in creating their own identity as makers. To achieve this, we begin with a discovery process several bookbinding techniques, such as chain stitch, Japanese stab binding and concertina among others, that introduces the history, fundamentals, materials, context, and creative potential of either adhesive or non-adhesive bindings. We then move on to building practical skills, focusing on folding, sewing, gluing, cutting, and working confidently with tools and materials. Finally, participants apply these skills in making a series of finished books, combining technique with personal expression.

• Produce a series of completed handbound books, applying techniques learned in class.
• Understand the relationship between structure, materials, and function in handmade books.
• Build a foundation for progression into more advanced bookbinding techniques or other areas of book arts.
• Acquire transferable skills to apply bookbinding knowledge in related fields such as printmaking, journaling, or artists’ books.

By progressing through these stages, participants not only gain technical proficiency but also develop a deeper understanding of book structures as creative forms.

By the end of this course, you should be able to…

• Identify grain direction in paper
• Safely and correctly use bookbinding tools and materials.
• Understand and use confidently fundamental bookbinding skills, sewing, gluing, folding, measuring, etc.
• Make a book of your own, being playful with design and binding processes.
• Additionally, there will be an opportunity to discuss suppliers, tools, and books, as well as explore further courses, processes, resources and skills related to book arts.