During this workshop, Erin will teach you how to make different bookbinding structures and stitches from her home letterpress and bookbinding studio. You'll learn pamphlet and stab binding, and some variations. We'll also look at examples and talk about how you can use bookbinding in your design practice. Everyone who zooms in will make at least one book during the session. If you’ve ever been curious about how to make a book, this workshop is a great place to start.
A note on materials from Erin: I believe that anyone can make a book at home, but if you get really into bookbinding or want to explore further, New York's own Talas is the country's best bookbinding supply. An awl, a bone folder, some linen thread, and some book board can really make your home bookbinding life easier. For people who want to make their own portfolios, I recommend looking into some book cloth to cover book board and investing in a large glue brush, as well. However, the books we'll learn how to make in the workshop won't require any glue.
Materials
- A blunt butter knife (Bonus: bone folder - link: I personally prefer pointed: the best tool!)
- Needles of various sizes (bonus: curved needles)
- Scissors (Optional but useful: cutting mat and x-acto knife)
- Ruler
- The fattest needle you have, an ice pick, or an awl
- Clothespins, bulldog clips, or paper clips
- Dental floss, embroidery floss, or thick thread and a beeswax candle (bonus: linen thread and a beeswax candle)
- Lots of paper and some thin card (a cereal box or two would work)
Erin is an artist from Brooklyn who currently lives in Aotearoa (New Zealand). She works with place, memory, democratizing processes, and pop culture. Her favorite mediums are drawings, books, prints, and crazy schemes. She holds an MFA from the University of Auckland and runs Tāmaki Makaurau's very own zine vending machine.
More about Erin here, or on her Instagram.
