The Book Repair Series of workshops is designed for librarians, archivists, or private individuals who would like to know how best to repair damaged items in their collection.  Many techniques will be covered, but mastery will take time and practice.  Students are encouraged to rent studio space after taking the workshops to practice the techniques taught.

Bookbinding I is not required for Book Repair I, but IS a pre-requisite for Book Repair II and III.

Upcoming Events


  • Meeting 1 of 6
    May 6, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 12
  • Meeting 2 of 6
    May 13, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 12
  • Meeting 3 of 6
    May 20, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 12
  • Meeting 4 of 6
    June 3, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 12
  • Meeting 5 of 6
    June 10, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 12
  • Meeting 6 of 6
    June 17, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 12

Bookbinding Two ONLINE via zoom Building upon skills acquired in Bookbinding One, students will learn the basics of working with leather by binding a quarter-bound, hardcover book. Techniques, such as paring leather, sewing headbands, and rounding and backing will be covered in this workshop. (more…)


  • Meeting 1 of 6
    May 6, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 0
  • Meeting 2 of 6
    May 13, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 0
  • Meeting 3 of 6
    May 20, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 0
  • Meeting 4 of 6
    June 3, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 0
  • Meeting 5 of 6
    June 10, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 0
  • Meeting 6 of 6
    June 17, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 0

Bookbinding Two THIS WORKSHOP WILL MEET IN-PERSON AT THE AUSTIN BOOK ARTS CENTER. Building upon skills acquired in Bookbinding One, students will learn the basics of working with leather by binding a quarter-bound, hardcover book. Techniques, such as paring leather, sewing headbands, and rounding and backing will be covered in this workshop. (more…)


  • Meeting 6 of 6
    May 8, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 1

Bookbinding One THIS WORKSHOP WILL MEET IN-PERSON AT THE AUSTIN BOOK ARTS CENTER. Students will learn the fundamentals of bookbinding by making five structures: an accordion binding, a Japanese stab binding, a long stitch journal, a Coptic binding, and a flat back case binding (or a classic hardcover book). Discussions about grain direction, paper folding, (more…)


  • Meeting 6 of 6
    May 8, 2024
    6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    Total spaces remaining: 15

Bookbinding One online via zoom Students will learn the fundamentals of bookbinding by making five structures: an accordion binding, a Japanese stab binding, a long stitch journal, a Coptic binding, and a flat back case binding (or a classic hardcover book). Discussions about grain direction, paper folding, adhesives, and tools will be incorporated during the (more…)

Book Repair I:
This workshop focuses on the very basics of repairing damaged case-bound books.  The techniques taught will be surface cleaning of paper; basic mending of paper; hinge tightening; basic attachment of loose pages; endsheet replacement and re-casing in original cover; corner repair; making a polyester wrapper.  Students will also sew a 3-4 section pamphlet.  This workshop is meant to teach an awareness of repair techniques and begin students on their path to more in-depth repairs.

Book Repair II:
This workshop focuses on intermediate level book repair techniques.  Students must have completed Book Repair I and have basic binding experience.  The techniques taught will be how to fill a loss in paper; corner covering techniques; corner repair with new cloth or tissue, re-backing on the book; guarding signatures; attaching loose signatures; modified re-casing; and how to make a four-flap enclosure.

Book Repair III:
This workshop focuses on advanced techniques of book repair.  Book Repair II is a pre-requisite for this workshop.  Techniques taught will be sewing on a new endsheet; re-sewing a broken textblock; re-backing off the book; and making a corrugated clamshell box.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.