This three-hour workshop will introduce you to the basics of bookbinding, including appropriate materials and tools needed to make your own notebooks, journals, or albums. The book structures you will learn will include several single-sheet cut and fold book structures, a sewn pamphlet stitch journal and a covered hardcover accordion fold book. Additionally, you will learn the tools needed in a basic bookbinding tool kit, receive a detailed list of bookmaking resources and opportunities to study book arts further. By the end of the course, you will have had a thorough introduction to the basics of the folded book structure which will form a strong foundation for furthering your bookbinding skills.

The Book Arts League is a Colorado-based community of individuals who share an interest in letterpress printing, calligraphy, and bookbinding.

(kids 12+ must be accompanied by an adult)

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am.

This fore-edge fold book opens wonderfully flat, making it an ideal companion for drawings or prints, writing, or a memory/legacy book. Each page is created by folding a piece of high-quality drawing paper, giving the finished book a clean, elegant feel in the hands. We will begin by reviewing terminology and tools. We will then tear paper down to size, fold and punch our signatures, and sew them over three woven tapes. Once the pages are complete, we will glue them up and shape the text block. After a lunch break, we will cover the hardboards with book cloth or decorative paper, then attach the tapes to the inside of the covers and finish with a decorative endpaper. By the end of the day, you will have a completed book and the skills to make more on your own. You will be provided with hand-drawn directions, as well as terminology and resource lists. This class is for beginners to advanced book makers alike. This is one of my favorite structures to teach – I can’t wait to share it with you!

Ages: 16+

This class takes place at Groundworks East (3063 E. Sterling Cir)

Will be available to register on Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am.

Create a small, leather-bound notebook that is refillable (3.5" x 5.5"). We'll build two signatures of fine writing paper of about 30 pages each. We'll sew them with linen thread and include a pocket cut and folded from cardstock. Then we'll enclose the signatures in the leather cover with an elastic cord or a leather cord, depending on preference. Participants can emboss their initials or name on the cover.

Ages: 16+

This class takes place at Groundworks East (3063 E. Sterling Cir)

Class will be available for registration Tuesday, May 26 at 8:00am. 

Bring your favorite cassette tape and learn to use it to make a distinctive book cover. Brenda Gallagher will show you how to sew a coptic stitch book with your cassette tape as the cover. You can use a second cassette tape for the back cover or use artwork from the cassette case  to make the back cover of the book as well!

Ages: 16+

This class takes place at Groundworks East (3063 E. Sterling Cir)

Will be available to register on Monday, July 27at 8:00am.

 BAL board members Greg and Julia once again offer a class in creative letterpress, taking the greeting card to new levels! Students both in the beginning stages of learning letterpress plus those with more experience will enjoy this playful but exciting departure from traditional card printing. The class will print cards on Crane Lettra, a cardstock that works well for letterpress. Participants will have an option to print some cards that are debossed (blind stamped) with a geometric pattern on the card front that has a blank area for the message. And participants will have an option to print some cards with a background color. Class is limited to six participants, and each person will take home 10 cards. Theme is open: birthday, fall, holiday, new year, thank you, etc

Ages: 16+

This class takes place at Groundworks East (3063 E. Sterling Cir)

Will be available to register on Monday, July 27 at 8:00am.

Join Brenda Gallagher to make a simple pamphlet stitch notebook with cardstock covers. To design the cover of the book, students will experiment with different embroidery stitches to make patterns. We'll practice our embroidery skills before moving to final book covers. An entire rainbow spectrum of embroidery floss will be available for you to choose the perfect colors for your design. Designs can be simple shapes, letters or anything you can imagine! Photos attached.

The Book Arts League is a Colorado-based community of individuals who share an interest in letterpress printing, calligraphy, and bookbinding.

(kids 12+ must be accompanied by an adult)

All supplies and materials will be provided. 

Will be available to register on Monday, July 27 at 8:00am.