Introduction to Bookmaking - Three Week Short Course

Bookmaking Short Course

Friday 6th, Friday 13th, Friday 20th March, 10am - 12 noon

£100

A 3 week short course introducing you to the fundamentals of bookmaking.

OVERVIEW:

This short course of 3 weekly sessions (2 hours each) will introduce you to the art of bookmaking – the craft of creating hand-bound books using simple tools, materials and techniques. We’ll explore how structure, stitching and folding can come together to create unique, functional and beautiful books. Bookmaking is a mindful, hands-on process that slows you down and offers endless creative possibilities.

PROGRAMME DATES & DETAILS:

Week 1: Friday 6th March - Cut and Fold

Week 2: Friday 13th March - Pamphlet Stitch

Week 3: Friday 20th March - Hardback Leporello

Please ensure that you can attend each week, as the skills and knowledge taught build on the previous session.

(*Participants who attend the Intro to Bookmaking Short Course are eligible to save £5 off the follow-on bookmaking workshop “Japanese Stab Stitch: Bookmaking for Improvers”. Please contact April at The Craft House directly to take advantage of this booking discount).

WHAT YOU'LL DO/MAKE/TAKE AWAY:

Each week you will learn a different book structure and bind, from simple folded books to stitched bindings, and soft covers to hard covers, with each week becoming progressively more complex. In weeks one and two you will make multiple books, and week three is dedicated to a longer-form book which will take the full two hours. You will gradually build confidence and skills and knowledge over the 3 directed weeks for you to continue bookmaking in your own time.

SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS:

This course is designed for people with little or no previous bookmaking experience, as well as those who have dabbled but would like to learn in a more structured and supportive way. It is a three-week course teaching basic and fundamental processes, and is ideal for learners who would like to continue exploring the practice of bookmaking at home.

Be aware that bookmaking requires a moderate degree of dexterity (use of craft knives, needle and thread) and confident use of simple maths (for measuring). Due to the use of sharp equipment in this course, under 18s or vulnerable adults are to be accompanied by a fully-paying responsible adult.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

This workshop is delivered by Zoe Platt, founder of Short & Few, artist educator and graphics practitioner. Her education and training background is in graphic design and typography, and over time her practice has become more process-driven, with a hands-on and analogue approach to image-making. With over a decade of teaching experience in college-level art and design, as well as TEFL for summer camps (and a stint in China!), her approach to teaching and doing creative things taps in to a broad range of subjects, including sculpture, surface pattern, photography and creative writing. She is at her best when she is teaching and doing creative things - whether this is making books or prints, or working with others and supporting them to find their best creative selves.