Bookbinding Mini Workshop

Bookbinding for People Who Are Lazy and Cheap

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Instructor: Dawn Vinson
Place: Memphis Northeast Police Precinct, 6850 Appling Farms Pkwy, Whitten exit North off of I-40
Price: $15.00

In this workshop, participants will learn how to make a hardcover book, a softcover single-signature book, and other simple books using inexpensive and easy-to-find or salvaged materials. These books can be used as journals, gift books, special- or limited-edition manuscripts, zines, and much more.

SUPPLY LIST:

Participants should bring*:

For the hardcover book

• Cardboard or Chipboard, about 1/32" to 3/32" thick – two 4-1/4" x 5-3/4" pieces for the covers, and one 7/16" x 5-3/4" piece for the spine.

Look around your home for suitable material: the cardboard backs of store-bought notepads, sturdy packaging or shipping boxes – deconstructed and cut to size, etc.

• 18 sheets of 8 1⁄2 " x 11" or 36 sheets of 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” paper for the inside of your book

Choose any paper – white, colored, or a mix of colors and textures – that you like to write or draw on; however, I strongly advise against using thick paper like watercolor paper or some of the thicker specialty papers – unless you enjoy crying in public.

• One 7" x 10-1/2" piece of paper for the cover; choose anything you like as long as it will hold a crease
• One 5-3/4" x 9-1/2" piece of paper for the cover facing sheet; this will not be seen in the finished book, so don’t waste pretty paper for it
• Carpet, button, or upholstery thread
• A sewing needle
• A thimble (optional)
• A pushpin or thumbtack
• Glue, double-stick tape, or a glue stick
• A pencil
• A ruler
• An old paintbrush or foam brush (optional)
• Binder clips or wooden clothes pins
• A burnisher or bone folder if you have one (optional)

For the softcover book

• 6 sheets of 8 1⁄2 " x 11" paper for the inside of your book – again, choose whatever you like to write or draw on
• 1 sheet of 8-3/4 " x 11-1/4" cardstock or art paper for the cover; I’ve also used plastic covers salvaged from spiral-bound reports
• Embroidery floss – coordinate or contrast with your chosen paper and/or cover
• A sewing needle (upholstery or tapestry – something with a larger eye)
• A thimble (optional)
• A pushpin or thumbtack

Also bring

• A few extra sheets of 8 1⁄2 " x 11" paper for one-page books and any other simple books that we have time for Any decorative papers that you may want to use as end papers 
• Any decorative elements that you may want to use to embellish what you make in class

*Do not under any circumstances go out and purchase any of these supplies. Look around your home and see what you have that might be usable. Bring extras if you have them and are willing to share.