Bookbinding Workshops

Learn bookbinding in a friendly informal group environment

One and two-day bookbinding workshops are held regularly in Hull as well as group workshops around the country for the Society of Bookbinders and other organisations.
Please see below for further details and dates of forthcoming bookbinding workshops. You can also contact Glenn to be added to the e-mailing list to be amongst the first to learn of new workshops as they are organised.
Workshops in Hull are usually held at the Hull ScrapStore, which is just off Hessle Road in west Hull and is very easily accessible via the M62 motorway from the west. Not only does this venue offer a great workshop space, but it also has a fabulous shop selling all sorts of craft supplies including many items at ridiculously low prices and constantly changing stock! Bookings for workshops are accepted on a strict first-come, first-served basis on payment of a non-refundable deposit.

Tuesday 11th February 2025

Making a Portfolio Case

Hull Scrapstore, 10:00 to 4:30 approx
Price: £65 including materials

This workshop is back by popular request and is suitable for beginners or more experienced binders.
We shall be making a folding portfolio case suitable for A4 size documents, though you could recreate this in any size to suit your needs. The folder has an expandable pocket inside to hold documents safely and is secured with a ribbon tie. It will be covered with half cloth and with decorative paper to the boards.
Places are limited to a maximum of ten participants, so early booking is advisable. All materials and tools will be provided along with detailed hand out notes so you can make more folders at home!
Sorry, all the places on this workshop have now been filled.
Please get in touch if you would like to be added to a waiting list for cancellations

Tuesday 11th March 2025

A Japanese Book and Chitsu Case

Hull Scrapstore, 10:00 to 4:30 approx
Price: £70 including materials

This workshop was oversubscribed last time I ran it. It is suitable for capable beginners or more experienced binders.
We shall be making a traditional Japanese style flexible pocket book using stab-sewn pages. We shall then be creating a traditional folding ‘chitsu’ case to protect and hold the book, covered with a decorative cloth and secured using traditional bone clasps.
As usual, places are limited to a maximum of ten participants, so early booking is advisable. All materials and tools will be provided along with detailed hand-out notes so you can have another go at making one of these beautiful books at home!
For more information or to book a place
please click here
***Only FOUR places left (as at 21/11/24)***

Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th April 2025

Creating an Off-Boards Binding

Hull Scrapstore, 10:00 to 4:30 approx. both days
Price: £135 including materials

This two-day workshop is suitable for those who have some experience of other binding styles, though beginners with good craft skills and an eye for accuracy and detail would be welcome.
This is a binding style where the boards are covered separately to the spine and before being attached to the book. The refinements we shall incorporate make this structure suitable for competition-level bindings. We shall start by taking apart a printed vintage Folio Society book to re-bind (supplied). The spine will be covered with leather, the boards covered with a decorative cloth or paper.
Please note you will need to attend both days to complete this workshop.
Places are limited to a maximum of ten participants, and early booking is always advisable. All materials and tools will be provided along with detailed hand-out notes.
For more information or to book a place
please click here
***Only ONE place left (as at 21/11/24)***

Tuesday 20th May 2025

Making a Leather Wrap-Around Journal

Hull Scrapstore, 10:00 to 4:30 approx
Price: £65 including materials

This ever-popular one-day workshop is back by popular demand and is suitable for beginners or more experienced binders.
We shall be making an attractive and useful wrap-around journal with a full leather cover and leather thong wrap. The pages will be plain and it opens pretty flat so this style of book could also be used for sketching or a range of other uses. We shall also discuss how the design can be adapted and personalised to suit your own style and needs.
As usual, places are limited to a strict maximum of ten participants, so early booking is always advisable. All materials and tools will be provided along with detailed hand out notes so you will be able to make more of these useful books at home!
For more information or to book a place
please click here

Monday 9th June 2025

Making a Flat-Back Case Binding

Hull Scrapstore, 10:00 to 4:30 approx
Price: £65 including materials

This workshop is ideal for beginners as well as those with more experience but wanting to perfect this seemingly straightforward, though important, structure.
A flat-back case binding is one of the most common types of book structure and is therefore a very useful style to learn. There are a number of steps which beginners can find initially tricky but need to master. Once you are comfortable with this style, the approaches you have learned will apply to many other kinds of bindings.
Places are limited to a maximum of ten participants, so early booking is always advisable. All materials and tools will be provided along with detailed hand-out notes.
For more information or to book a place
please click here
***Only FOUR places left (as at 21/11/24)***

Monday 7th July 2025

The Three-Part Bradel Binding

Hull Scrapstore, 10:00 to 4:30 approx
Price: £65 including materials

This workshop is ideal for beginners with good craft skills as well as those with some experience of binding.
This style of Bradel binding (a standard European approach to case bindings) is a useful one to learn because it lends itself nicely to various design elements as the boards are covered separately to the spine and before being applied to the book.
As always, places are limited to a maximum of ten participants, so early booking is advisable. All materials and tools will be provided along with detailed hand out notes so you can make more of these great little books at home!
For more information or to book a place
please click here