Make something with your hands this year!
Workshops
ONLINE ♦ IN PERSON ♦ POLICies ♦ CALENDAR view
♦ Beginners welcome! Unless otherwise noted, workshops are structured for adult students at ALL levels.
♦ All workshops are listed in chronological order by start date. Class size is limited. Early registration is encouraged.
♦ Tuition and all materials are covered by the cost of the class. Students will be notified in advance if the instructor requests that students bring simple tools. Nothing fancy or expensive will be required in addition.
♦ Members receive a 10% discount off the price of tuition and materials. Please click here to join as a Member. Then select Member Rate when registering.
♦ Successfully completing a class in-person at ABAC will qualify a student to use the Studio and equipment during Open Studio times, with certain restrictions. Please click here for rates and policies.
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Bookbinding Two: Building upon skills acquired in Bookbinding One or Intro to Bookbinding, 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…) Coptic Books with 3D Printed Covers: Coptic books are a fan favorite for their exposed spine that can lay completely flat when opened. This class is a great introduction to sewing signatures with one and two needles, and will expose you to the endless possibilities with 3D-printed covers. We’ll use pre-made 3D-printed covers that can (more…) Medieval Girdle Book: Gothic, or late medieval bindings, may be characterized by shaped wooden boards covered in leather or tanned skin, raised bands of alum-tawed leather or fiber cords, and metal clasps. In this class we will produce a quarter-bound Gothic binding. Students will learn how to sew on double cords, trim textblocks, sew endbands, (more…) Screw Post Photo Album Learn some basic bookbinding skills by creating a cloth-covered, screw post album. This structure binds individual pages using screw posts, allowing the album to be dis-assembled, so pages may be re-ordered, added, or removed. The album structure is perfect for photographs, prints, and scrapbooks. (more…) Bookbinding One: 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 class. (more…) Botanical Specimen Press: Been feeling cooped up? Spring is a beautiful time to get outside and explore the great outdoors. Take your family on a hike, or go solo, and learn about the plants around you, while gaining some basic bookbinding skills. In this workshop, you will learn how to construct this botanical press, perfect (more…) Limp Vellum Binding: Limp vellum bindings provide an opportunity to work with a striking natural material without using glue. In this class we will create a book sewn on alum-tawed goatskin slips that are laced through vellum covers, with a primary endband that makes for a satisfying and flexible binding. (more…) Children’s Board Books: Make a book for that special child in your life! In this 3-hr workshop, students will construct two “board book” models from a provided kit and learn about ways to incorporate text and images. These structures also work well with non-child specific content. (more…)
March 11, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Total spaces remaining: 14
March 18, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Total spaces remaining: 14
March 25, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 1, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 12, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 19, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 16, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 23, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 30, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 6, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 13, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 20, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 8, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 15, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 22, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 29, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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May 6, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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May 13, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 27, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Total spaces remaining: 14
May 4, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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May 11, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Total spaces remaining: 10
IN PERSON WORKSHOPS
Bookbinding Two: Building upon skills acquired in Bookbinding One or Intro to Bookbinding, 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…) Simplified Binding Images Forthcoming! THIS WORKSHOP WILL MEET IN-PERSON AT THE AUSTIN BOOK ARTS CENTER. Developed by the fine binder Sun Evrard in the 1980s. The Simplified Binding is a great structure for those who want to push the decorative aspect of their bindings. Because the covers are completed before applying them to the textblock (more…) Drum Leaf Binding A Drum Leaf Binding is a great structure for artists who want to work with full sheets of paper when creating their textblocks. The structure is a variation on the accordion binding. In class we will cover creating the textblock and explore two methods for creating covers: a simple cloth case and (more…) Medieval Girdle Book: Gothic, or late medieval bindings, may be characterized by shaped wooden boards covered in leather or tanned skin, raised bands of alum-tawed leather or fiber cords, and metal clasps. In this class we will produce a quarter-bound Gothic binding. Students will learn how to sew on double cords, trim textblocks, sew endbands, (more…) Junk Journaling & Jameson: Jump on the junk-journaling bandwagon! Part diary and part scrapbook, junk-journaling is a creative, free-form, eco-friendly process that emphasizes self-expression by filling pages with discarded and found materials. With the lack of formal rules and emphasis on experimentation, many find junk journaling to be relaxing, even therapeutic. Join us to sip (more…) Intro to Letterpress In this introductory class, students will learn the basics of letterpress printing using wood & metal type and a variety of plates. Attendees will then print a small edition either individually or collaboratively, using the Vandercook proof presses. Fundamentals of proper presswork including registration, inking, and impression will be covered. Students can (more…) Digital Letterpress Dive into the world of digital letterpress by learning the basics of printing from photopolymer plates. At the first class meeting, students will learn how to set up files and order plates. At the second meeting, students will learn the fundamentals of proper presswork including registration, inking, and impression using the Vandercook proof (more…) Sewn Boards Binding This structure incorporates the sewing into the board attachment. In this class we will create two different models. Each model will explore a different method for sewing the textblock and a different covering material. (more…) Laminated Board Binding: Originally developed as my “perfect” pocket notebook, this deceptively simple looking binding has a bunch of hidden tricks. It features flexible made endpapers, a breakaway spine with peek-a-boo lining, boards built up from layers of interleaved paper resulting in a surprisingly strong yet flexible book, and the wrapped fore edge which gives (more…) Paper Making 101 Come get your hands dirty and learn the basics of making paper by hand. In this eco-friendly workshop, we will be breaking down paper scraps to form new sheets of paper. Kelly will demonstrate from start to finish how to turn paper waste into pulp, as well as, learn several different paper (more…) Botanical Hand Made Paper Come get your hands dirty as you learn to make beautiful hand made paper! During this workshop, we will be breaking old paper scraps to make into new plantable sheets of paper. Additives will include seeds, flower petals and leaves. Feel free to bring botanicals from your own garden, fresh or (more…) Bookbinding One: 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 class. (more…) Cyanotype Book Cloth This section is sold out, so we added another! Please click here to register for Cyanotype Book Cloth on Sunday, May 31st. Learn how to use the sun and foraged ingredients to create beautiful images on fabric! The class will then learn how to make the cyanotype fabric prints into book cloth, (more…) Paper Marbling & Paste Papers: Join us for an exploration into marbling! We will learn various marbling techniques and learn how to create traditional and contemporary designs on paper. The history of marbling will be discussed as well as the many different types of size used to create (more…) Prints & Pints: Design and carve your own lino block with Allison, all while relaxing with a pint! We’ll ink up our blocks using the traditional block printing method and print them. By repeating the block we will create our own unique designs. No experience needed! (more…) Drop Spine Box: Learn to make sturdy boxes for the protection of books or other items: drop spine boxes are constructed of binder’s board and book cloth to fit the object inside. They can be modified, once you understand the technique, to fit a variety of objects. (more…) DIY Polymer Plate Production Artists, printers, creatives, free thinkers & visionaries — curious how polymer plates are created? In this workshop you will create a film transparency, develop a polymer plate, and print the image, all in-house. No computer and/or drawing skills needed. (more…) Relief Printing for Book Arts This workshop will focus on creating small 4×5 or 5×7 relief prints on mounted Lino blocks that can be utilized in book projects. You’ll get a crash course in transferring artwork to the blocks, carving, inking, and then printing. We will cover numerous methods for printing the blocks including hand (more…) Millimeter Binding or Edelpappband: Based on the German case binding this is a fancy paper binding with leather trim added to either the head and tail, foredges, and/or corners. These additions don’t just make the book more durable but also more beautiful. (more…) Sharpening and Cutting for Bookbinders: Paring knives, scissors, x-acto knives, ploughs; we all use them but many of us don’t know where to even begin when it comes time to sharpen these crucial tools. In this workshop we will learn briefly about the science of cutting and cutting tools, and use that knowledge to get (more…) Two-Color Letterpress Broadsides: Over the course of four weeks we will produce a 12” x 18” two-color broadside, letterpress printed in an edition of 25 copies. We will cover the process of designing and laying out the poster, generating digital files of our work, and producing polymer plates. Attendees will then print a small edition (more…) Printing on the Platen Press: Learn the fundamentals of printing using the platen jobber, perfect for small format jobs, such as greeting cards, business cards, envelopes, etc. Using ABAC’s 8 x 12 Chandler & Price, old-style treadle press and a collection of type forms and photopolymer plates, students will (more…) Cyanotypes & Cider: Join Allison sipping cider while we explore the magic of cyanotype printing! Cyanotype is one of the earliest forms of photography where we use an opaque object or large format negative, place on top of a piece of light sensitive cyanotype paper, expose to uv light and voila we make alternative photographic (more…) Long Stitch Leather Journal: Are you a traveler who wants to capture unforgettable moments on paper? Or an entrepreneur who likes to jot down ideas and daily checklists? Or perhaps you keep a diary or enjoy sketching? The journal is the perfect tool for creating and capturing important memories. Bind your very own high-quality, adventure-ready (more…) Japanese Style Toolbox: Students will learn how to construct a box with a hinged lid and nesting tray, perfect for your bookbinding tools or other treasured objects! Students will be provided with a pre-cut kit and will be guided through the process of assembling the toolbox and tray. Important bookbinding techniques, such as grain direction, (more…) Camp Collage: Camp Collage is a temporary creative campfire—no cabins, no rules, just paper, images, and instinct. This workshop invites you to scavenge, slice, layer, and rearrange fragments into something unexpected. We’ll work quickly and intuitively, letting chance, repetition, and impulse lead the way. Images are cut, disrupted, misused, and reimagined; meaning is discovered after (more…) Cyanotype Book Cloth Learn how to use the sun and foraged ingredients to create beautiful images on fabric! The class will then learn how to make the cyanotype fabric prints into book cloth, a type of fabric that can be used to make covers for handmade books and boxes. Participants are encouraged to bring flowers, (more…) Poking Fun (Session #1 Morning) Learn to create an embroidery sampler that combines text and imagery. The workshop will cover techniques for transferring a design, basic stitches, and tips for designing layout. In addition, we will discuss the history and significance of the sampler including recent iterations and interpretations. No prior sewing or embroidery experience (more…) Poking Fun (Session #2 Afternoon) Learn to create an embroidery sampler that combines text and imagery. The workshop will cover techniques for transferring a design, basic stitches, and tips for designing layout. In addition, we will discuss the history and significance of the sampler including recent iterations and interpretations. No prior sewing or embroidery experience (more…)
March 11, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Total spaces remaining: 14
March 18, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Total spaces remaining: 14
March 25, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 1, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 14, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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March 15, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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March 16, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 23, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 30, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 6, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 13, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 20, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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March 21, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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March 22, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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March 26, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 9, 2026
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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9:00 am - 12:00 pm
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April 8, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 15, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 22, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 29, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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May 6, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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May 13, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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April 25, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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April 26, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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May 2, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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May 3, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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May 18, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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June 1, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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June 8, 2026
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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June 15, 2026
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June 6, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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June 6, 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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ADDITIONAL POLICIES
♦ Payments are processed securely through the PayPal website. You do not need a PayPal account, but may process your order as a guest.
♦ CANCELLATION POLICY: Students will receive a full refund or credit if cancelling a registration at least three business days before the first class meeting. Cancellations must be received in writing or by email at info@atxbookarts.org. If a student cancels less than three business days before the first class meeting, or drops out of a class in progress, full tuition and fees are forfeited.
♦ ABAC reserves the right to cancel a class due to under-enrollment. Registered students will be notified by email 48 hours in advance if a cancellation due to under-enrollment should occur.
♦ Please contact us at info@atxbookarts.org if you encounter any problems or wish to provide feedback, suggestions for classes, instructors, or anything really.
