Bookbinding One:

Ever wanted to hold a beautiful, custom-made book and say, “I made this”? Whether you’re an avid journaler, a passionate artist, a life-long bibliophile, or just love the smell of crisp paper, it’s time to fold, stitch, and bind your way into a new obsession!

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll demystify the ancient craft of bookbinding. No experience? No problem! We cover all the essential fundamentals from mastering paper grain and traditional bookbinding tools/materials, to throwing around cool words like signatures and fore-edge.

Together, we’ll build a stunning library of five unique structures:

• The Accordion: A playful, sculptural fold-out structure, perfect for photos or artwork.
• Japanese Stab Binding: An elegant, traditional Eastern technique with gorgeous exposed spine patterns.
• The Long Stitch Journal: A rustic, flexible leather- or wrap-style book that opens perfectly flat.
• The Coptic Binding: A mesmerizing, chain-stitched classic that shows off its beautiful spine.
• The Classic Hardcover: The holy grail of bookmaking, a sturdy, professional book built to last.

Warning: Bookbinding is highly addictive. You’ll leave with five incredible, self-made masterpieces and the skills to keep creating. Let’s get making!

This is a HYBRID workshop, with the IN PERSON and ONLINE sessions being held simultaneously. Each session will be recorded, and all registered students will have access to the recordings for at least 90 days. 

Students may choose to follow along with the instructor in real time, or simply observe and download the recording for future reference.

If you choose to participate ONLINE, please note you will receive a mailed kit. If you wish to follow along in real-time, please register before June 1st to receive the kit before the workshop begins.

Level: This class is appropriate for adult students at all levels.
Dates & Times: 6 consecutive Mondays, June 15th – July 20th; 6:00 pm-9:00 pm CST
Max. no of students: 8
Instructor: Kevin Auer
Cost IN PERSON: $450 tuition & $30 materials
Cost ONLINE: $450 tuition & $30 materials + $15 shipping
Please choose the appropriate ticket type below.

Members receive a 10% discount off the cost of the workshop, among other benefits.
Click here to join as a Member, then choose the Member Rate below.

Completion of this class will qualify you to use the studios for your own projects.
Details on Open Studio may be found here.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Kevin Auer trained as an apprentice in bookbinding with Scott Mullenberg in Portland, Maine. He then worked as a conservation technician for a number of years at Cornell University. After graduating from the conservation program at the University of Texas at Austin, Kevin worked as a book conservator at the Walters Art Museum. Kevin learned letterpress from David Wolfe in Portland, Maine. He co-owned Wolfe Editions, a small shop that specialized in artists’ books and limited edition work. Kevin also ran his own shop for a number of years doing letterpress printing and book binding. He has taught letterpress at Dartmouth College, The Maryland Institute College of Art, and The University of Texas at Austin. Kevin is currently the Director of the Communication Design Program at The University of Houston, Victoria.