Bookbinding Course for Beginners

What you'll learn

Learn bookbinding fundamentals with our handcrafts short courses in Sydney!

For centuries, books were crafted entirely by hand — today, most are machine-made. This beginners bookbinding course invites you to rediscover the traditional art of hand bookbinding. If you love books or enjoy working with your hands, this is the perfect course for you.

You’ll learn essential techniques, work with beautiful materials, and create your own hand-bound books to take home — all in a professionally equipped bindery led by experienced tutors.

The course is delivered in partnership with the NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders at their Ralph Lewis Bindery at Writing NSW, Callan Park, Rozelle.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you should have made:

• Two single-section stitched booklets, including binding the NSW Guild’s publication The Alchemy of Bookbinding, as well as your course notes
• A single-section cased-in hardcover book
• A hardcover concertina photo album
• A multi-section French-stitched notebook with a wraparound cover
• If time allows, a full paper Japanese four-hole pouch (fukuro-toji) binding

Course content

What will be covered in this Bookbinding Course for Beginners?

In this Bookbinding Course for Beginners, you will learn:

• Essential bookbinding terminology
• Techniques for accurate measuring, cutting, folding, gluing, and stitching
• How to handle paper with care and use both specialist and simple homemade tools

Intended audience

Who is this beginners bookbinding course for?

This course is suitable for complete beginners and those wanting to refresh existing skills.

Please note: You’ll need good hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, basic numeracy, and confidence using sharp knives. You should be able to follow verbal instructions and health and safety guidelines.

Course venue

Writing NSW

Room 14, Garry Owen House
Callan Park, Balmain Rd
Rozelle NSW 2039

Directions:
You can enter Callan Park through Gate A on Balmain Road (recommended) or off Wharf Road.

• From Balmain Road (Gate A)
  When you enter, look for an orange sign pointing left to Writing NSW. Follow Park Drive, then turn left at the intersection into South Crescent (you’ll see playing fields on your left). Take the first right, where you’ll see another orange Writing NSW sign. This dead-end road leads to the Writing NSW carpark. The building in front of you is Garry Owen House — you’ll be at the back of the building.
• From Wharf Road entrance
  You’ll come in on Cottage Way. Take the first left (Callan St), then the first right (Supply Road). Follow the road around the sharp kink to the left, then take the next right onto South Crescent, and the next left. This dead-end road leads to the Writing NSW carpark. The building in front of you is Garry Owen House.

The Ralph Lewis Bindery is at the back of Garry Owen House. You can enter directly via the green grille door on the eastern side (the right-hand side if you’re facing the building from the carpark).

Important:
If using a maps app or arriving by taxi, please enter Writing NSW as your destination and use 485 Balmain Road as the Callan Park entry point. Do not use Garry Owen House as your destination, as this will misdirect you to the Garry Owen Hotel in Lilyfield.

Course materials

Please bring to class

• Your own lunch
• An apron (optional — clean aprons are available)
• Please note: All materials are provided. A beginner’s tool kit will be available for optional purchase at a discounted rate.

Additional information

Please note the following:

• Please wear closed-in shoes (safety requirement)
• This course is for ages 18+