Join book artist Ruth McCann for a hands-on day exploring the beautiful and historic art of Coptic stitch bookbinding, a versatile and elegant binding style known for its exposed, decorative stitching and ability to lie perfectly flat when opened.
Morning Session: Foundations and Preparation
The day begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of bookbinding, including understanding paper grain direction, paper folding techniques, and how these affect the structure and flexibility of a finished book. Learners will fold multiple sections (also called signatures) and carefully pierce sewing holes in preparation for stitching.
Participants will then move on to designing their book covers, selecting from a range of decorative papers and book cloths to create two unique front and back boards. Along the way, Ruth will introduce a variety of traditional bookbinding tools and materials, explaining their purpose, care, and use within the craft.
Afternoon Session: Sewing the Coptic Stitch
After a break for lunch, the class will focus on the highlight of the day – Coptic sewing. Learners will stitch together their prepared sections and covers using the traditional chain-linked Coptic stitch, creating a durable and visually striking binding that showcases the beauty of hand sewing.
Throughout the afternoon, Ruth will demonstrate key techniques, provide one-to-one support, and share tips on maintaining even tension and alignment. A range of sample books in different Coptic styles will also be available for participants to handle, examine, and discuss, offering inspiration for future projects.
By the end of the workshop, each learner will leave with their own hand-bound Coptic notebook, a solid understanding of the binding process, and the confidence to continue exploring book art independently.
All tools and materials will be provided. No previous bookbinding experience is necessary – just an interest in making beautiful books by hand.
