Workshops ~ Lectures ~ Meetings

Ralph Lewis Bindery
The Ralph Lewis Bindery, established by the Guild, is located in a room at the NSW Writers’ Centre, located in historic Garry Owen House situated in the parkland grounds of Rozelle Hospital. Click here for a location map.

The workshop, which is available for use by members for a small fee, provides bench space, plant, tools and equipment, the cost of which may be beyond the means of individuals.

Workshop equipment comprises blocking machines, type fonts, finishing tools, presses, guillotines, specialist tool items, etc. Materials for bookbinding are also available for sale to members and include various types of board, cloth, buckrams, adhesives, papers, etc.

Attending the workshop provides you with enthusiastic bookbinding company and advice from more experienced members.

Address:
P O Box 1110
ROZELLE NSW 2039
AUSTRALIA

Phone:
02 8230 3470

Open times:
Wednesday
10.00am - 7.00pm

2nd and 4th Saturday & adjoining Sunday
9.30am-1.00pm
(Check with Monitor for longer open times)

To reserve your place at a
Workshop, Lecture or Event

Contact our Workshop Co-ordinator by email

or leave us a message on: 02 9555 5730

As of 1 July 2013, workshop cost is $70.00 unless otherwise stated

Please send your payment within 7 days of reserving your place. The preferred method of payment is by internet transfer.
BSB: 012-006
Account: 953215895

Please include the following details in the Payment Reference:
Your Name- CODE
and send an email to the Workshop Co-ordinator to let us know you have paid.

If you do not have internet transfer access, please send your cheque or money order made payable to NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders to the address above.

Let us know what workshops you would like to us to run.
Send your suggestions to our Workshop Co-ordinator

Beginner's Course - Level 1 (2 Days)
John Turner

Saturday and Sunday
1 & 2 February - Code: JT0102
18-19 May - Code: JT1805
3-4 August - Code: JT0308
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Members $150
Non-members $200 (includes membership to 30 June 2013)

A course for people interested in learning traditional and modern bookbinding skills will be run at the Guild's professionally equipped bindery at the NSW Writers Centre, Rozelle. This is a hands-on course, and at the end of the two days, participants will have a number of examples of their work that they can take home.

Cost includes a beginner's kit and most materials.
Other tools required: Metal rule, pencil and snap blade or craft knife.

Case Bound A5 Book on Tapes (Stage 2)
Jean Riley

Saturday 6 April
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $85 (includes materials)
Course code: JR1304

Case bound books, either with square or round spines, were devised in the late nineteenth century to give book publishers a cheap method of binding many books. The case ( two covers and spine) is made as a separate unit and then attached to the text block by means of lightweight mull which has limited strength. In this workshop, however, you will sew the sections of the text block on tapes in the tried and tested traditional manner. The addition of strong mull gives the hand binder the opportunity to create a much more durable binding. You will also be shown how to make your own headbands from bookcloth. A fine bound book deserves to be cared for so you will also be shown how to create a slip cover to preserve your hand bound book.

Re-spine Clothbound books
John Turner

Saturday 20 April
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $65
Course code: JT2704

Dividing and Measuring for Bookbinders
David Newbold

Saturday 4 May
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: $45 + $15 for Dividers
Course code: DN0405

A demonstration and talk by Dave Newbold. Accuracy in cutting paper and boards is essential for good results in bookbinding. Dave has been pondering the skills required for a couple of months and this class will look at the tools required and how to use them. Even if you have been binding for some time, this course will freshen your technique. As no binder should be without a pair of dividers, the Guild will include a pair in the fee for this class, so that you can start using them as soon as you get home.

Introduction to Basic Paper Repairs
Jill Gurney

Saturday 01 June
11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Cost: $75 (includes Starter Kit)
Course code: JG0106

Jill will discuss and demonstrate her favourite tools and materials and how they are used to gain the best outcomes.

The manipulative skills necessary for the basic repair of paper and books can be built up. They are enhanced by having an understanding of the issues and materials involved, whether it is the makeup of paper or the agents involved in its deterioration, internal and external.

The quality of the materials used in paper repair is particularly important, the aim being to add nothing to the repair process which could have a long term negative impact on the original. An appreciation of the materials and factors involved leads to a critical evaluation of book and paper repair options. High hopes maybe, but being able to make a choice of an appropriate treatment, consistent with conservation practice is the ideal.

Participants will receive a set of notes by email after the class.

Paper Marbling
Joan Ajala

Saturday and Sunday 15-16 June
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $140
Course code: JA1506

Marbling - Intermediate
Joan Ajala

Monday 17 June
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $70
Course code: JA1706

For those of you with some experience at marbling, following the weekend Marbling course (now filled)

Stage 2-5 Accordion and Pamphlet Bindings
Jean Riley

Saturday 6 July
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $85 (includes prepared materials)
Course code: JR0607

The accordion (or concertina) provides one of the most versatile methods of book construction. Although in this workshop you will make a simple 8 folds concertina in the Japanese style you will also be shown how to measure, join and construct concertinas of any length. On display will be numerous concertina, or accordion, constructions to nourish your creative urges.

This workshop will also introduce you to 3 hole and 5 hole pamphlet sewing as well as full bound and quarter bound binding. The pamphlet book, although a simple one section binding, through choice of materials can be a work or art in its own right as well as being used as a vehicle to house artistic art works. A cruciform case will be included in the workshop to protect and preserve your pamphlet book.

Protective Enclosures
Margaret Scott

Saturday 20 July
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Course code: MS2007

Sewing on tapes and cords
Tutor TBA

Saturday 31 August or Sunday 1 September
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Course code: TBA

Leather Spine Case Binding
David Newbold

Saturday 05 October
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Course code: DN0510

Coptic Binding with Decorated Spine
Jean Riley

Saturday 2 November
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Course code: JR0211

Introduction to Paste Papers
Adrienne Allen

Saturday 16 November
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Course code: AA1611