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Creative Journaling , Creative Thinking ,

Coptic Stitch Bookbinding: Signatures to Sketchbooks

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Rob Kelsey rob-kelsey

Class Description:

Dive into the art of Coptic stitch bookbinding, an engaging technique that marries functionality and aesthetics. This class teaches participants how to create beautiful, durable books that open completely flat, making them ideal for sketches, journaling, or personal projects. Throughout the course, participants will explore a range of materials and styles. Step-by-step guidance will lead attendees through the processes of preparing materials, punching holes, and sewing the book together. By the end of the class, participants will have crafted their own stunning book ready for endless creative possibilities.

What You Will Learn:

  • Essential materials for Coptic stitch bookbinding
  • How to prepare paper and create signatures for binding
  • Techniques for accurately punching holes in spines
  • Step-by-step instructions for sewing using the Coptic stitch method
  • Tips for personalizing your book with cover designs and decorative elements
  • Techniques for finishing your book and ensuring durability through secure stitching
  • How to enjoy your completed flexible book for various artistic uses

Supplies You'll Need:

  • Paper for Pages: Sheets of paper cut to your desired size for the interior pages. This can be plain paper, sketch paper, or any suitable material for your project.
  • Cover Material: A heavier material for the cover, such as cardstock, chipboard, or leather, cut to the same size as your pages or slightly larger for an overlapping finish.
  • Curved Needle: A large-eyed curved needle
  • Thread: Strong thread, such as waxed linen thread or any durable embroidery thread that can withstand repeated use.
  • Awl: A tool to create holes in the signatures and cover.
  • Cutting Tool: A craft knife or scissors for cutting your paper and cover materials to size.
  • Ruler and Pencil: For measuring and marking where to cut or punch holes accurately.
  • Clips or Weights: Optional, to hold your signatures and cover together while you work on stitching.

About Instructor

rob-kelsey

Rob is a Chicago-based art maker, whose practice spans many media, not just illustration. But whether he’s working on a sculpture, mask, painting, or game, it all begins with pen on paper. After graduating from DePaul in 2015 with a degree in Animation for Games, he began expanding his horizons into book arts, printmaking, and more. Whatever media he’s working in, his work is unified by a sense of the macabre, an emphasis on interaction, and the belief that the physical presence of a piece is vital to its essence.

15 Classes

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Class Details:

  • 📊Level: Beginner
  • ⏰Time: 1 Hour, 34 Minutes

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Ratings and Reviews

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What's your experience? We'd love to know!
victorias
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the class and love my new book. I have some experience with book binding, but the instructor was very good at making his instructions accessible to everyone. Its also great that the replay is available so I can go back and follow along for another book.

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virgrine
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

Thanks to the replay immediately available after the class, I could finish my first coptic book binding! Thanks for this great class that took me on this road wonderfully!

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eehad
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

Very clear instructions and demonstration of the binding

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LindaH
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

It was a good class I enjoyed watching I learned how to Coptic Bind Books 4 years ago as I'm in a Bookbinding Club

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