Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive binding to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.
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The course is a taster session on the craft of hand bookbinding. It is ideal for anyone who would like to know more about this area and/or who might be thinking of enrolling on one of the longer courses at City Lit.
What will we cover?
You will be introduced to some of the materials, equipment and techniques of bookbinding. We will fold, cut and sew paper to form a single section pamphlet with stiff boards, with cloth spine and decorative paper sides. There will be a chance to talk about suppliers, tools and books, and about further courses at City Lit.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify grain direction in paper - Recognise and correctly use basic bookbinding tools and materials - Make a single section hard cover binding using pamphlet stitch.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is for those with little or no experience or knowledge of hand bookbinding. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
All work will be undertaken during the session. You will be taught by demonstration, discussion, visual aids, practical tasks and individual support and guidance from the tutor.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All tools and equipment will be provided for you and all materials are provided and included in the course fee. Please bring a sharp pencil and notebook. You may like to bring an apron to protect your clothes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
On completion of this day you could join a longer general bookbinding course or a short course on a different bookbinding technique or structure. VD190 City Lit Bookbinding VD330 Start bookbinding VD261 Beginners' bookbinding II VD289 Beginners' bookbinding III Please check the City lit website for other courses of interest.
Kate Rochester is an artist bookbinder based in London. After completing her BA in Art History at East London University she studied bookbinding at the London College of Printing. In 2004 she founded Hanbury Press which produces limited edition books and hand-printed papers using traditional hand-binding methods. Later she joined the bookbinding team at the Wyvern Bindery, as well as studying master classes at Studio 5 Book Arts studio in Barnes. Kate currently works on commission and runs her independent press from her studio located in East London. She regularly teaches Book Arts workshops and courses at Citylit and The London Centre Of Book Arts. In 2023, Kate became a QEST scholar after completing a year’s study in further master classes in Design Binding.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/try-it-out-bookbinding287250Try it out: bookbindinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/a/taster_bright__1.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Courses/Art & design/Contemporary crafts/Bookbinding/Courses/vm/Beginners courses in art & design/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in art & design22851132113911411360813457135631228511321139165313457Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.152540047Try it out: bookbinding129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/a/taster_bright__1_21.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-03-21T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMar 2026Art & designVD265129129Try it out: bookbinding129129129Kate Rochestertry-it-out-bookbinding/vd265-2526Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive binding to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.0000-Available|2026-03-21 00:00:00The course is a taster session on the craft of hand bookbinding. It is ideal for anyone who would like to know more about this area and/or who might be thinking of enrolling on one of the longer courses at City Lit.Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive binding to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.You will be introduced to some of the materials, equipment and techniques of bookbinding. We will fold, cut and sew paper to form a single section pamphlet with stiff boards, with cloth spine and decorative paper sides. There<br/> will be a chance to talk about suppliers, tools and books, and about further courses at City Lit.- Identify grain direction in paper<br/> - Recognise and correctly use basic bookbinding tools and materials<br/> - Make a single section hard cover binding using pamphlet stitch.<p>The course is for those with little or no experience or knowledge of hand bookbinding.<br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and<br/>safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p>All work will be undertaken during the session. You will be taught by demonstration, discussion, visual aids, practical tasks and individual support and guidance from the tutor.<p>All tools and equipment will be provided for you and all materials are provided and included in the course fee.<br/>Please bring a sharp pencil and notebook. You may like to bring an apron to protect your clothes.<br/> </p><p>On completion of this day you could join a longer general bookbinding course or a short course on a different bookbinding technique or structure.<br/>VD190 City Lit Bookbinding <br/>VD330 Start bookbinding<br/>VD261 Beginners' bookbinding II<br/>VD289 Beginners' bookbinding III<br/>Please check the City lit website for other courses of interest.</p>Contemporary craftsBookbindingvirtual2540050Try it out: bookbinding129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/a/taster_bright__1_22.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAug 2026Art & designVD278129129Try it out: bookbinding129129129Kate Rochestertry-it-out-bookbinding/vd278-2526Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.0000-Available|2026-08-08 00:00:00<p>The course is a taster session on the craft of hand bookbinding. It is ideal for anyone who would like to know more about this area and/or who might be thinking of enrolling on one of the longer courses at City Lit.</p>Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.<p>You will be introduced to some of the materials, equipment and techniques of bookbinding. We will fold, cut and sew paper to form a single section pamphlet with stiff boards, with cloth spine and decorative paper sides. There will be a chance to talk about suppliers, tools and books, and about further courses at City Lit.</p>- Identify grain direction in paper<br/> - Safely and correctly use basic bookbinding tools and materials<br/> - Make a single section hard cover binding using pamphlet stitch.The course is for those with little or no experience or knowledge of hand bookbinding.<br/> You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.All work will be undertaken during the class. You will be taught by demonstration, discussion, visual aids, <br/> practical tasks and individual support and guidance from the tutor.<p>All materials and tools are provided for this course, you are welcome to bring your own bookbinding kit if you have one. Please bring a sharp pencil an eraser, and a notebook. You may like to bring an apron to protect your clothes.<br/><br/> </p><p>- VD190 City Lit Bookbinding<br/>- VD284 Beginners' bookbinding I<br/>- VD292 Bookbinding: Learn to bind artists' books<br/>- VD202 Book conservation and repair: paper and cloth-bound books</p>Contemporary craftsBookbindingvirtual129129129VD265,VD278NONESat21/03/2610:00 - 17:0010:0017:001 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetKate RochesterBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-03-21T00:00:00+00:00,2026-08-08T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMar 2026,Aug 2026Art & design129129Try it out: bookbindingtry-it-out-bookbinding/vd265-2526,try-it-out-bookbinding/vd278-2526Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive binding to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.,Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.0000-Available|2026-03-21 00:00:00The course is a taster session on the craft of hand bookbinding. It is ideal for anyone who would like to know more about this area and/or who might be thinking of enrolling on one of the longer courses at City Lit.,<p>The course is a taster session on the craft of hand bookbinding. It is ideal for anyone who would like to know more about this area and/or who might be thinking of enrolling on one of the longer courses at City Lit.</p>Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive binding to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.,Dip your fingers into bookbinding. Learn a little about the materials and craft of bookbinding while making an attractive book to take home. A chance to discuss further study in bookbinding at City Lit.You will be introduced to some of the materials, equipment and techniques of bookbinding. We will fold, cut and sew paper to form a single section pamphlet with stiff boards, with cloth spine and decorative paper sides. There<br/> will be a chance to talk about suppliers, tools and books, and about further courses at City Lit.,<p>You will be introduced to some of the materials, equipment and techniques of bookbinding. We will fold, cut and sew paper to form a single section pamphlet with stiff boards, with cloth spine and decorative paper sides. There will be a chance to talk about suppliers, tools and books, and about further courses at City Lit.</p>- Identify grain direction in paper<br/> - Recognise and correctly use basic bookbinding tools and materials<br/> - Make a single section hard cover binding using pamphlet stitch.,- Identify grain direction in paper<br/> - Safely and correctly use basic bookbinding tools and materials<br/> - Make a single section hard cover binding using pamphlet stitch.<p>The course is for those with little or no experience or knowledge of hand bookbinding.<br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and<br/>safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.</p>,The course is for those with little or no experience or knowledge of hand bookbinding.<br/> You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.All work will be undertaken during the session. You will be taught by demonstration, discussion, visual aids, practical tasks and individual support and guidance from the tutor.,All work will be undertaken during the class. You will be taught by demonstration, discussion, visual aids, <br/> practical tasks and individual support and guidance from the tutor.<p>All tools and equipment will be provided for you and all materials are provided and included in the course fee.<br/>Please bring a sharp pencil and notebook. You may like to bring an apron to protect your clothes.<br/> </p>,<p>All materials and tools are provided for this course, you are welcome to bring your own bookbinding kit if you have one. Please bring a sharp pencil an eraser, and a notebook. You may like to bring an apron to protect your clothes.<br/><br/> </p><p>On completion of this day you could join a longer general bookbinding course or a short course on a different bookbinding technique or structure.<br/>VD190 City Lit Bookbinding <br/>VD330 Start bookbinding<br/>VD261 Beginners' bookbinding II<br/>VD289 Beginners' bookbinding III<br/>Please check the City lit website for other courses of interest.</p>,<p>- VD190 City Lit Bookbinding<br/>- VD284 Beginners' bookbinding I<br/>- VD292 Bookbinding: Learn to bind artists' books<br/>- VD202 Book conservation and repair: paper and cloth-bound books</p>Contemporary craftsBookbindingconfigurable
