Top 10 Best Bookbinding classes, courses, learnings kits and gifts in the UK

Learn how to make a hard-back single section book from scratch! This workshop is suitable for complete beginners in bookbinding. Kate will take you through everything from paper selection to all the tips and tricks to give your book a professional edge. These techniques can be adapted to make many more books, and uses traditional book binding techniques combined with beautiful, contemporary materials. Kate is a professional full time bookbinder, and book binding tutor. She has been teaching the craft for the last ten years, designing her own workshops and also working in educational centres where she has taught bookbinding.

In this workshop participants will make three handmade books using different Japanese sewing techniques: the 4-hole binding, the noble binding and the tortoise-shell binding. We will also be making a traditional bookcloth covered wraparound case that folds up to enclose the books. Japanese stab binding is a great method of binding together single pages with your artwork, photography or writing or making beautiful sketchbooks and notebooks. All materials will be provided and no previous experience is required.

In this workshop, you will learn how to make three different book structures: a concertina book, a 4-hole stab binding and a single section case binding. You will learn about basic bookbinding techniques, including folding, making endpapers, sewing, covering and casing in. We will go through all the different tools and materials we will be using as well as the importance of grain direction. At the end of the class, you will leave with three beautiful books and a handout with instructions to enable you to work on your own projects at home! This workshop is suitable for complete beginners or for those who need a refresher.

Join this exciting new workshop and learn how to make a Secret Belgian Binding, also known as crisscross binding. Originally invented by a Belgian bookbinder in the mid-1980s, this fascinating non-adhesive book structure features a 3-piece cover and a distinct, woven-like sewing pattern. The unique cover and sewing technique of this binding allows for the book to be flexible yet firm as well as to open completely flat, making it perfect to use as a notebook, sketchbook, photo album or to incorporate your own artwork or writing. At the end of the class you will leave with your own beautiful handmade book and handouts with instructions to enable you to work on your own projects at home. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with some experience in bookbinding.

In this exciting, hands-on workshop, you will learn how to make two beautiful non-adhesive books structures: the Long Stitch and the Buttonhole Stitch bindings. Both bindings have exposed decorative sewing on the spine and lots of potential in terms of materials selection, colour combinations, stitching and decorating techniques. They open completely flat which makes them ideal to use as sketchbooks, notebooks, photo albums or to incorporate your own artwork or writing. You will learn about different bookbinding tools, materials and techniques, including identifying the grain-direction in paper and card, folding signatures, making covers, creating spine cutouts, experiment with different sewing methods. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with some experience in bookbinding.

Join our workshop and make a bespoke Solander box, -also known as Clamshell box- a popular and versatile drop-back structure that can be used for storing or presenting books, prints, photographs or any other loose and fragile items. You will learn all the stages of box-making including measuring, cutting, gluing, covering and lining and become familiar with the tools, materials and techniques necessary to build your own handmade box. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with some experience in bookbinding.

This workshop will take you through the different stages of making a multi-section hand bound book with hard cover, including folding, making endpapers, stitching, spine lining, covering and casing in. You will learn about paper grain, bookbinding cloths, and different bookbinding tools. You will take home your finished book which can be used as a sketchbook, notebook, journal, photo album or to incorporate your own artwork or writing. All materials will be provided and no previous bookmaking experience is required.

This evening class will give you the perfect opportunity to try your hand at creating your own hand-bound book without having to commit to a full course. Time to discover your new passion! In this class This evening course will provide students with the ideal opportunity to learn a creative and artistic skill, which may be used time and time again. Under expert guidance, students will be taken through all the key stages, techniques and tips of bookbinding in just 3 hours. This short course will introduce you to the basic skills involved in creating a single signature book. This class is aimed at beginners, although welcomes bookbinders of all experiences should you simple want to top up your knowledge and skills. This course will involve sewing, cutting and gluing your materials, as you create your very own book. Shepherds will supply all materials. Now you can Start practicing bookbinding at home and further your skills with the knowledge that you gain from this course Create our own wonderfully personal books as gifts for friends and family Teach others your new skills

These taster bookbinding courses provide a wonderful opportunity for students to chance their arm at bookbinding, without having to commit to a full course. Sign up for one of these Saturday courses and learn this ancient craft from some of the best teachers around! In this class These 1-day courses will provide you with all the best tips and tricks for practicing bookbinding. Your tutor, Mylynn McColl, will take you step by step through all the stages of binding your book! For those students who wish to go further, a 6-week course is also available, which you would be able to join in week 3 (Evening class Taster courses can join at Week Two). This course is aimed at beginners and will introduce students to the basic skills involved in making a single signature book and a multi section book. The process of making your own book involves undertaking sewing, cutting and gluing all materials (All materials are included in the course fee). Now you can Have a strong bookbinding basis Progress as a bookbinder by practicing the techniques you have learnt at home, or by joining the 6-week course Teach others your newly acquired skills

Join this Shepherds class and learn all the basic principles of bookbinding. This course offers a wonderful opportunity for you to add a unique and creative skill to your repertoire of hobbies! In this class This informative and intensive 6-week course is a hugely popular way for amateur bookbinders and book enthusiasts to learn the fundamental techniques of bookbinding. The course covers both single-section and multi-section binding and provides a full and detailed explanation of how to use key materials and hand tools. Or students who wish to further their studies in bookbinding, this course counts towards the City & Guilds Level I Bookbinding Course (Unit 118). Now you can Start practicing bookbinding at home Create our own wonderfully personal books as gifts for friends and family Teach others your new skills

Books have always been portals to other worlds, but their creative potential doesn't end there. This unique class at Merton Abbey Mills is the perfect introduction to the craft of book arts. Beginners welcome; you'll learn the many ways in which you can turn these powerful paper objects into something entirely new. In this class In this class, you'll learn the many ways you can sculpt and tease books into unique art objects. Three activities will be pre-picked out of the following: book sculpting, pamphlet binding, collage/black-out books, miniature book jewelry and narrative photo books. The class is designed to give you a little taster of multiple book arts; so you can decide which world is calling you the most! Now you can craft original art pieces to give to book-loving friends and family repurpose old books you might have been meaning to donate discover new ways to celebrate and immortalise words and literature Keep You'll get to go home with your lovely literary creation, be it a sculpture, photo book or cute piece of jewelry. Participants are advised to bring an old book of their own along (though some will be available from the studio if you can't bear to reinvent your favourite tome!)

This is a modern take on an old favourite. Patchwork is a traditional technique that uses bits of left over fabric to create quilts or cushions covers but these days it is used for so much more. You will be amazed how colourful, small bits of fabric can come together, up-cycled to create things of beauty. They can also be used to make up skirts, jackets and even accessories such as scarves, collars and jewellery or used to make inserts and patches to mend, giving pops of colour and updating clothing, breathing new life into old favourites . With patchwork recycling bits of old and unused fabric becomes easy and very fashionable. Our experienced seamstress Pat Stevens will be teaching you. What you will learn: This is an Introduction to patchwork course for sewers/ quilters starting out or continuing your journey in patchwork with a machine sewing. In this course you will learn the basics of how to make a patchwork piece that can be used within many other projects. You will ideally need be proficient on a sewing machine. We have Janome sewing machines for you to use, cutting mats , scissors and rotary cutters. Tea and light refreshments will be available. Should you wish to continue your journey we offer a Patchwork class Thursdays with Pat that you can sign up for at a later date. What you need to bring: Bring along fabrics from your stash at home or buy fabric from our selection in store which is also available pre cut strips. CLASS SIZE: 6 DURATION: 2 hours DATE & TIME: Saturday 16th, April 10:30-1:30 PRICE: £35 LOCATION: 364 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13 5XL (within the Post Office entrance) Please ensure you have read fully our terms and conditions. We look forward to seeing you soon! The StitchN13 Team x

Join Novella Bookbinding for this fun and informative traditional bookbinding workshop in Holborn, London and take away your very own notebook and diary. In this workshop There will be a lot to take in during the two days! There will be a combination of theoretical and practical learning. Megan will be prepared to stop and answer any questions participants may have and will thoroughly demonstrate the techniques used in the session before students try them themselves. Day One: Pages Introduction to the anatomy of a book and correct bookbinding terminology Overview of tools and machinery used in the bindery How to handle paper correctly and identify its grain direction Observe and practise binding pages together using thread and glue How to prepare pages for print Day Two: Cases Method for calculating sizes of boards for cases Choose a covering material Finishing touches: spine strengthening, ribbons, endbands, making and attaching the case. Pressing / drying methods. There will be a break of around thirty minutes for lunch. Students can bring their lunch with them, or there are plenty of options to purchase food nearby. What do you take away? Participants will leave with a detailed instruction manual, information on where to purchase further materials and tools, one hardback blank notebook and a handmade 2017-2018 academic diary in their choice of covering materials.