This new weekend course will enable you  to make a very versatile collection of  books that are designed to show their  decorative stitching as well as being very  functional. They all lay flat when opened  and in use, making them ideal as artist's  books for sketching, painting or  journalling. The collection, all filled with  watercolour paper,  consists of two  hardbound Long Stitched bindings, a  Crossed  Structure binding, made with  either a  leather or washable paper cover  and a  two sectioned Origata  binding. These bindings are all  chosen to  compliment each other and  when  completed they will be housed in a  matching slipcase in order to display their  decorative spines.

This course is suitable for beginners, or if you have already completed the Beginning Bookbinding course will enable you to build on your skills, and provide you with a wonderful set of decorative, contemporary books .

All equipment and materials will be provided along with step-by-step demonstration and practice. 

Madingley Hall offers overnight accommodation, for more information and booking: https://www.madingleyhall.co.uk  

Boxes! How we love boxes!

During this class we will explore a variety of box options including stacking, dividing and alternative lids whilst also learning (through demonstration and practice) the all-important skills of cutting and covering. Although we will work to the same template there will be the opportunity to personalise with covering and lining materials. A beautiful selection of Payhembury Marbled papers will be available to choose from as well and co-ordinating buckram which is a sturdy book and box covering material.

Participants will leave with one completed box along with materials, instructions and skills to extend the project into a ‘stack’.

All equipment and materials will be provided along with step-by-step demonstration and practice.  

Stapleford Granary has easy carparking.

Learn how to make the Elbum, designed by Ben Elbel,  a fun and clever album structure which holds its pages by gripping them into a series of articulated  narrow pockets. This is a  treasure of paper engineering, this project is also a great introduction to concertina folding by hand as it requires precision folding. There will be an opportunity to practice with making a prototype before moving onto your finished Elbum. This is ideal if you are looking for a book structure that will hold individual pages. This class is suitable for beginners as well as those with some bookbinding experience. 

Stapleford Granary has easy car parking and is within walking distance of Shelford Railway station.

The Sewn Boards Binding, brought to prominence by American binder Gary Frost,  is the subject of many conversations and variations and with good reason. As well as being an adaptation of ancient Ethiopian binding techniques it also looks 'bang up-to-date' with its crisp edges and streamlined opening ability. It is a great extension to existing binding skills and is also a very helpful starting point for new binders as it does not require the traditional casing-in process! As with other classes, this workshop is taught so that you can repeat at home.

All equipment and materials required will be provided along with step by step demonstration and practice.

Stapleford Granary has easy car parking.

 A Tight Back binding is a historical binding where the book has a leather spine that is adhered directly to the spine, meaning that the covering material flexes as the spine is opened and closed.

During this 2 day  weekend workshop you will be guided by Doug Mitchell and myself to stitch your book block onto cords, form the covers, pare the leather for the spines. before rounding the spine and completing your book. All materials and tools will be provided  along with step by step demonstration and practice.

This course is not suitable for complete beginners.

Stapleford Granary has easy car parking and is within walking distance of Shelfod Railway station.

 Miniature books are always admired and  loved. In this class you will learn how to  scale things down and produce a  selection of beautiful miniature books  that will be fully functioning and useable.  You will make a long stitched leather  bound book as well as some different  hardbound and folded book structures.  These will make ideal gifts, keepsakes,  necklaces or even Christmas tree  decorations.

 All materials required will be provided.