Workshops We Teach

Little Mountain Bindery 's workshops in book arts cover all skill levels and all age groups. Private workshops are available to groups (including birthday parties). Scroll through our workshops below for examples of what we offer.

Beaded Japanese Stab Binding

The Beaded Japanese Stab Binding is a beautiful book that can be used for a variety of purposes. We love it for it's elegant hard covers and jeweled spine, not to mention the sublime experience of working with Japanese paper.

See the calendar for current offerings and cost.

Book Arts for Youth

In this after-school workshop, we will concentrate on making a star book, and if there´s time, we will learn a Japanese Stab-binding! The star-book is a combination of bookbinding and origami, and the Japanese stab-binding is a really unique alternative to the stapler! No previous experience is required. All materials are included.

See the calendar for current offerings and cost.

Book Repair: Spine Replacement

In this workshop, we will discuss the materials and tools needed for basic book repair and do a little repair of our own. Each student will be responsible for providing their own broken books, and I will supply the rest of the supplies needed. We will be focusing on the treatment and replacement of the broken spine. No previous experience necessary.

See the calendar for current offerings and cost.

Bookbinding Basics

In this 4-week class we will learn the basic elements of traditional bookbinding. Students will become familiar with traditional materials and tools while learning to measure, cut, and sew. We will learn to make several books ranging from pamphlets and accordions to more complicated bindings such as the single-signature case binding. Each student will take home a minimum of four books when this class is completed. We will discuss various aspects of the history of bookbinding as we go.

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Bookbinding I

In this 4-week class we will learn to make two flat-back, case-bound books. Using traditional bookbinding methods, we will make our own textblocks and endpapers, sew onto linen tapes, line spines and finally case-in beautiful handmade covers. We will discuss various aspects of the history of bookbinding as we go.

See the calendar for current offerings and cost.

Bookbinding for Parents & Teachers

Designed for parents and teachers of children, but appropriate for all ages, this workshop will cover the basics of bookbinding with a special emphasis on classroom "publishing." Each student will come away with a minimum of four books and a whole host of ideas. We will also discuss using materials readily available to teachers and parents.

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Cigar Box

Yes, we will learn to make a cigar box–that is, a box with a hinged lid. We will cover it with a beautiful combination of exotic paper and cloth.

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Clamshell Box

This is a very traditional box used to protect important books. In this class we will learn the basic methods for building and covering this box. The clamshell, when made with exotic papers and cloths, makes a lovely decorative box as well.

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Day Journal Project: 2008

This project is intended for those who have never had success keeping a journal, those who want to take their journals up a notch or two, those who have any interest at all in the challenge of documenting their life in words, images, found or rescued objects (movie ticket stubs, locks of hair, cards, grocery lists, etc.). Be prepared to cut, glue, draw, write, fold, wrap, pop up, and cut out your daily life. Each participant will bind and personalize his/her very own extra large book (complete with lock and key). After binding the book, each student will receive monthly and weekly challenges or instructions for their day book. Class will meet quarterly to share techniques and inspire one another. At the end of 2008, each of us will have an exquisite snapshot of our daily life captured in different mediums all contained in one book.

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Decadently Decorated Paste Papers

Papers decorated with a mixture of pigment and wheat paste have a long history in the decorative arts from book arts to Victorian wallpaper. Enjoy a day making your own beautiful paste papers that can be used for book arts, scrap booking, holiday gift-wrap and collage among many countless applications. This easy and fun technique offers amazing beautiful results. Finish this workshop with a portfolio of uniquely designed papers whose applications are limited only by your imagination. This is an introductory level class with no experience required.

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The Ethiopian Binding

This adaptation of an ancient structure uses channeled boards to create a sturdy construction.  The exposed spine reveals a link stitch sewing created using four needles.  The final result is very functional, beautiful,  and relatively easy to create.

Two-Needle Coptic Binding

This impressive book features an ancient sewing method called a coptic stitch. The coptic stitching is beautiful to look at and very functional as a binding, allowing the book to open completely flat.The two-needle version of the coptic stitch simply uses two needles while sewing instead of one, and the result is pretty spectacular.

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Japanese Stab Binding: Photo Frame Book

Ok, if you want to impress your friends with an handmade gift, this is the book for you. This clever little book pretends to be a Japanese Stab Binding, but when opened is actually a double photo frame.

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Long Stitch with Hard Covers

There are endless varieties of long-stitch books in the bookbinding world. This particular one sports hard covers decorated in some of Little Mountain Bindery's finest exotic papers and a spine to die for. Rather than just boring old thread, this spine features thread sewn through large beads in a very unique, fun pattern.

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Magic Box (Emily Martin)

Emily Martin’s magic box is based on the structure of the Jacob’s Ladder, revealing secret compartments in a puzzling way! This is a very popular class!

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Miniature Book Edition & Exchange

Create an edition of miniature books and exchange books with fellow participants. We will come up with a loose "theme" together for our miniature book editions. After that, we will make sketches for our books and then figure out how to achieve the vision. The edition will be at least the number of students in the class, plus one for the teacher (who will also be participating). This is an opportunity to explore the structure of the miniature book and how to modify traditional (or nontraditional) techniques as well as addressing the problems/solution of creating an edition. All basic materials and tools will be provided by Little Mountain Bindery, but each student should bring materials that will help create inspiration. This is also a chance to incorporate some of your other hobbies-e.g. knitting, quilting, embroidery, origami, etc. into the structure of a book. This class will last 4 weeks and includes free studio use on Saturdays and some other weekdays (to be determined). Be prepared to spend time out of class.

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Paper Ornaments

Learn to make gorgeous ornaments with decorative papers. These ornaments are great fun to do with kids and also make for very special gifts to loved ones.

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Partitioned Box

Yes, this large box is as utilitarian as it is fabulous. You won't believe how easy it is to make this lovely box. A little more difficult than the toggle-top, so you may want to take that class first. Best news of all--I'll be doing all the cutting and measuring beforehand so you don't have to. All materials included.

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Pillow Book

This clever, hinged book incorporates pockets and hidden compartments that hold up to four handmade books or memorabilia. All materials included.

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Printmaking: Rubber Stamps

Learn to make your own rubber stamp designs using relief printmaking techniques. Make your own Chinese "chop" or signature stamp or let your imagination run. Use for making stationery, borders or any other decorative paper/paint projects.

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Shan Shui: Introduction to Chinese Landscape painting

Shan, the character for mountain, and Shui, the character for water combine to define landscape in Chinese painting. Come learn this ancient artform through a comprehensive study of balance and composition. Practice of the Shan Shui characters help master the correct way to hold the brush and how to control the flow of liquid. Participants will be exposed to examples of Shan Shui painting techniques and have the opportunity to enrich their learning through further self-guided explorations. While studying the Ying/Yang balance of opposites, participants will be challenged to create compositions in harmonious balance of positive and negative space. Each participant will create a landscape painting that can be mounted into a wall scroll.

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Shiho Chitsu Box (four-sided box)

The Shiho Chitsu is a Japanese box traditionally made for protecting books. What makes this box different from any other that we've taught at LMB is that this box opens completely flat.

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Sweetheart Box

We love this sweet little box! It is small enough to hold jewelry or chocolates and bold enough to sit on a shelf and look pretty.

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Toggle Top Box

This is a very fun cloth-covered box with decorative paper accents and a toggle top! It is easy to make and very impressive when finished. This class requires limited use of a ruler because I do all the cutting for you beforehand--YEAH! All materials are included.

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Unbelievable Buttonhole Binding

This is the uniquely beautiful Buttonhole binding using bookboard for the covers and spine instead of paper. This exposed spine sewing allows for lots of self expression, so we will each add our own interpretation to this lovely book. No previous experience necessary.

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The Secret Belgian Binding

Book artist Hedi Kyle is credited with rediscovering this binding originally invented by Anne Goye (and yes she is from Belgium) in the 1980s as an alternative to the Japanese stab bindings -- something that would have the same look, but open flat! It uses an exposed sewing to bind the text block to cover boards and a spine, with the spine held in place only by the thread that is sewn over and under it. In addition to it being a very lovely book to look at, it's considered a very sturdy binding. This is a great alternative to a traditional hard-bound book.

Hedi Kyle’s Pocket Book

Instructor: Alexandra Pearson

Cost: $45

When: Saturday, August 20, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Where: Little Mountain Bindery (all materials included)

This intricate little book invented by Hedi Kyle includes pockets and a pencil closure as well as space for journalling. Made of folded paper and sewn signatures, this is a nifty book perfect for traveling, collecting, and writing. No previous experience necessary.

Caterpillar Stitch Book

Instructor: Lesha Shaver       

Cost: $99

When: Tuesdays, September 20 AND September 27, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Little Mountain Bindery (all materials included)

A Keith Smith invention, this exposed spine sewing  involves sewing a caterpillar over the spine and onto the covers. It actually looks like a caterpillar is crawling over the book. A little experience would probably be helpful in this class--either sewing or bookmaking experience or something equivalent.