In this class learners will create their very own saddle stitch journal.

The saddle stitch book makes the perfect travel journal or sketch book with pages that lay flat when open. I love to use them as monthly bullet journals. It's a quick and easy book with a sewn binding (no gluing!) and can be made in pocket sizes easy to use as a memo book on the go. 

Making this single-signature book builds great foundational skills needed for more complex binding methods (like the kettle stitch or Coptic stitch binding methods). We'll talk about the small details that give a finished and professional look to our books and I'll share my favorite tools and tips for making great books. 

In addition, upon enrollment you will receive a PDF of lined paper and dot grid paper that your learner can print and use to make journals with lined paper or dot grid paper, if they'd like. I especially like the dot grid paper to use as a bullet journal or sketch book and for hand-lettering practice.

Skills taught include:
—common bookbinding terms and tools
—what is a signature and how to fold one
—planning placement of binding holes 
—preparing a template for binding holes
—using the template to punch binding holes
—sewing the binding
—adding details for a polished look

This is an interactive and hands-on class. I will instruct step-by-step as we work together. My goal is for students to be able to learn the skills to make many more books on their own after class.

Let’s make some books!