In this introductory bookbinding workshop, you’ll learn the essential skills, techniques, and terminology of the craft.
We’ll begin by exploring different types of paper, tools, and materials used in bookbinding, and look at samples. Then, we’ll create a few simple book structures—perfect for building a solid foundation as you start your bookbinding journey.
Together, we’ll design and bind our own personal books—ideal for writing, drawing, or collage.
As the workshop progresses, the complexity of the book structures will gradually increase, helping you grow your skills with each session.
This program is open to all experience levels. See What to Know for a list of supplies to purchase before class.
This program meets live online.
Instructor: Maria Rebelo, photographer
Age: 16 and older
Course number: P200
Instructor
Maria Rebelo, photographer
Maria Rebelo has been teaching photography at The Morton Arboretum since 2017. She is a macro and event photographer, currently working on a project with Pousadas de Portugal. Rebelo has been the photographer for the blog, Salt of Portugal, since 2011. She also teaches bookbinding, a skill she became interested in as a way to make artistic books for her own photographic images.
What to Know
This program takes place over live Zoom sessions.
Please purchase a supply kit or supplies to use during the first class.
Supply kits can be ordered from Amazon (prices range from $7.00 for a basic bookbinding kit to $35.00 for a kit with additional supplies and a book press) or from Colophon Book Arts, which offers a basic kit popular among bookbinders.
Supplies may also be purchased individually. Please have the following for the first class:
- Awl, retractable knife, needles, thread, scissors, ruler, brush, bone folder (found in most supply kits)
- Pencil, beeswax, glue, and glue stick
- Paper for inside books: 20-lb copy machine paper, 50-lb or 80-lb sulphite drawing paper
- Paper for soft book covers: Canson, Fabiano, 100-lb or 65-lb card stock, watercolor paper
- Decorative paper for book covers
- Wax paper
- Scrap paper or newsprint (the instructor saves the paper that comes with packing)
- Old phone books, fat magazines, or catalogues to use for punching holes
- Book board
- Cutting mat
Supplies are available from the following retailers:
- Hollanders
- Talas Supplies
- Dick Blick
- Amazon
- Paper Source
- Michael’s
Program Schedule
This program meets the following three times.
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Zoom
