Discover the timeless craft of traditional bookbinding in this comprehensive 3-week studio course. Led by Lindsay Searles, artist and founder behind Ottawa-based studio Paste n' Paper, this hands-on workshop will give you the skills, knowledge, and guidance to create your own custom photo album from start to finish. You'll be taught traditional bookbinding techniques along with the properties of papers and how they affect the bookmaking process. And you'll leave with a completed album designed to protect and house your art or photos beautifully, as well as the skills to replicate this work again on your own.

About Your Instructor

Lindsay Searles is a bookbinder and paper enthusiast who is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. Just don't ask about all the types of paper in her bindery, she might never stop talking.

Learn more about Lindsay

Course Rundown (3 Weeks / 9 Hours)

Session 1: History, Paper Properties & Material Prep

• Learn the basic history of bookbinding as well as gain an understanding of concepts like paper grain, properties of various thread materials, and the wonders of specialized bookbinding glues.
• Get to learn about and use the specialty tools used in bookbinding such as bone folders, awls, and bookbinding needles.
• Measure, cut, and prep the binder's board and artisan papers you'll be using to make your album.

Session 2: Precision Gluing & Cover Casing

• Learn professional gluing techniques to wrap your board with bookcloth and artisan papers.
• Learn how glue affects the structure of paper and board and the importance of pressing your work under weight while it dries.

Session 3: Piercing, Stitching & Final Album Assembly

• Measure and punch signature sewing holes through cardstock pages and cover spines in preparation for stitching.
• Wax thread and stitch pages into your album in a style called long stitch, allowing your album to lay flat when open.
• Optionally fill your albums with art, photos, or keepsakes for the final look.

By The End Of This Course, You Will

• Understand the physical properties of the papers, boards, threads and glues used in an active bindery.
• Master measuring, scoring and cutting all materials used in making an album.
• Construct a durable hardcover album using bookcloth and artisan papers.
• Know how to long stitch multiple signatures into the spine of the album's cover to complete the final photo album.

What We Provide

• Tools & Bench Equipment: 9x12 self-healing cutting mats, Olfa utility knives, bone folders, bookbinding awls, #15/#18 bookbinding needles, needle minders, cork-backed metal rulers, glue brushes, glue wells and binder clips.
• Boards, Cloth & Fine Papers: 80pt heavy binder's board, professional bookcloth, imported artisan decorative papers, 65lb coloured cardstock, 100lb heavy white cardstock and kraft cardstock.
• Thread, Wax & Adhesives: binding thread, pure beeswax, acid-free PVA glue, starch paste, photo mounting corners and washi tape.

What To Bring & Requirements

• Personal Photos or Keepsakes (Optional): Prints, postcards, notes or ephemera to mount into your completed album during the final session.
• Note-taking items: A notebook to take notes during class.
• Apparel: Wear comfortable clothes suited for cutting, gluing and studio handcraft.
• Skill Level: All levels welcome. No previous bookbinding, crafting or woodworking experience required.

Event Details

• Dates: Tuesday evenings starting Oct 13th
• Format: 3 sessions · 3 hours · 6 to 9 pm
• Location: Urban Art Collective Art Hub, 50 Bayswater Avenue, Ottawa
• Instructor: Lindsay Searles (Paste n' Paper)
• Level & Audience: All levels welcome. No previous bookbinding, crafting or woodworking experience required.
• Maximum Capacity: 12
• Minimum Enrolment: 6 required