10:00 - 16:00

Level: Beginner

Coptic stitch is a beautiful style of binding with an exposed stitch spine that looks like chain stitch. These books have an open spine which means the pages open completely flat. Coptic style books are ideal as gifts or to keep for yourself as a diary or notebook. During this workshop Janina will guide you through all the steps to make an A5 portrait book from scratch, using Coptic stitch to bind the book. First will be preparation of the covers, cutting these from greyboard, and covering with decorative paper, and then allowing these to dry. Next we will prepare the inside pages by trimming cartridge paper into the right size for the book and nesting the trimmed sheets into ‘signatures’. She will show you how to make holes in the covers and the papers ready for sewing and the final stage will be sewing all the pages and cover together using Coptic stitch.

Here is a link to a Pinterest page which shows examples of different Coptic stitch books made by Janina, to give you some ideas of the possibilities.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/janinamaher/workshops-jm-coptic-stitch-bookbinding/

What to bring:

• Cutting tools: Large cutting mat ideally A3 or larger, sharp cutting knife or craft knife (not a scalpel, as this is too delicate), metal ruler, scissors

• Pencil, eraser

• Blunt ended sewing needle with large eye (eg tapestry needle size 20)

• Packed lunch

Optional tools if you have them, otherwise available to borrow from Janina on the day

• Small sharp awl or braddle (for making holes in paper and card)

• Bone folder (for creasing paper)

• T square ruler (for getting accurate 90 degree corners)

Included on the day:

• Any other materials not specified for the students to bring

• Expert tuition

• 1 to 1 guidance

• Detailed demonstrations

• A selection of tea, freshly brewed coffee, biscuits and delicious cakes

And of course you take your wonderful creations from the day. If you share any photographs of your day here and/or your finished work, we’d love to see them so please tag us @micklemsfarmcreativeworkshops or use the hashtag #micklemsfarmcreativeworkshops.

Terms - Fee is payable on booking. If, having booked, you can no longer attend, we are unable to offer a refund. However, you may nominate someone else to attend the workshop or class in your place by notifying us using the contact page on the Micklems Farm website. We reserve the right to cancel a workshop up to 48 hours prior to the workshop date. We will only cancel due to insufficient places sold and you will be refunded the full amount paid.

Number of students: 10