Bookbinding Workshop: Flexible Cloth Spine

Name: Bookbinding Workshop: Flexible Cloth Spine
Start: 2026-03-28T14:00:00+11:00
End: 2026-03-28T14:00:00+11:00
Location: Gas Works Art Park

About

Immerse yourself in a joyful, hands-on bookbinding workshop and discover the beautiful, traditional craft of making your own 64-page flexible spine, hardcover journal or sketchbook.

Over the course of this engaging three-hour class, you’ll design and create a stunning cloth and paper-covered hardback book featuring a flexible yet strong spine that opens flat—making it perfect for sketching, journaling or writing on the go. Your book will be crafted using eight hand-sewn signatures and finished with unique decorative endpapers, all carefully assembled with guidance every step of the way.

Whether you're brand new to bookbinding or looking to build on existing skills, this workshop is designed to be welcoming, supportive and inspiring for all levels.

Guided by artist and educator Nicole Wassell, who brings years of experience working with people of all ages and abilities, you’ll be encouraged to explore the joy of creating something truly personal with your own hands.

During the class, you'll learn how to:
- Sew your pages into signatures
- Assemble and glue your book block
- Add beautiful, decorative endpapers
- Create and attach a strong, flexible spine and sturdy hardcover

By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a handcrafted 64-page journal or sketchbook, made using a curated selection of high-quality papers—plus the skills and confidence to continue bookmaking on your own.