Sollas Bookbinding

I have enjoyed giving a variety of workshops over the past years. I have tutored workshops for Taigh Chearsabhagh aiming at adults and involving schools throughout the Uists and Barra, for the Primetime project inviting elderly people to partake and for Art on the Map, the annual opening studio trail, welcoming all ages.

See What’s On for information on planned events.

Here is a list of workshops that I can give on request to community groups, individuals and schools. QUALITY MATERIALS and TOOLS are provided, participants can feel free to bring along their own bookbinding tools or any material they want to use for the covers or the book blocks such as ink, ribbon, book cloth, or special paper.

Leporello books (4 hours)

Starting with a large sheet of paper which is folded to create a grid, cuts will be made along certain lines of the grid to then fold the sheet of paper to create the book block. Each book block can be different in the way it opens up using different grid patterns. To finish off, the inner book is mounted to the hardcover front and back. The result is a perfect photo album or collage book combining writing and illustration. Alternatively, the book block can be made of a concertina style folded sheet which makes the book stand up unfolded, creating an artistic object which can display photographs, words or illustrations.

Simple stitching (day)

Employing this simple yet effective stitching combines two sections to make book blocks which can then be finished as pamphlets, hardcover single books or hardcover twin books, with the latter using two book blocks back to back held together by a ‘double’ book case.

Hardcover books (two days)

Employing traditional stitching, the book block cased in a traditional hardcover results in a beautiful diary, sketch book or note book.

Coptic books (day)

The hard front and back cover along with the sections of the book block are held together by a visible stitching. The spine of the book is therefore left exposed when the book is finished which allows it to open a full 360 degrees without damaging the book spine and which makes it an ideal sketch book or artist’s journals.

Photo albums (day)

Using strong cream or dark card and pergamyn as protective layers between the pages, these photo albums are hardcover books with a stitched book block and a hardcover book case.

Box making (day)

Starting out with a sheet of mill board and a variety of quality papers, the box is assembled, the lid is made and finally the inside and outside surfaces are covered. The resulting loose lid boxes make beautiful homes to photographs, jewellery or other precious objects.

Card making (2-4 hours)

Craft papers and cards are used to make folded outside covers holding folded cartridge paper inside. Both are attached to each other by simple stitching.