Make Your Own Long Stitch Journal with Ami Beaver

Make Your Own Long Stitch Journal

There are many different bindings that fall under the category of long-stitch, but most are distinguishable by long stitches that attach signatures directly to the cover. This binding technique is versatile and can be applied to multiple materials, making it an excellent option for any book project. Long stitch bindings are non-adhesive and are relatively easy and quick to sew. The finished books can lay flat, making them particularly well suited to sketchbooks and journals. The sewing technique is centuries-old, originating in medieval Germany, and historically can be found on limp parchment bindings.

Students will learn how to tailor a reinforced paper cover to a stack of folded sections, prepare sewing stations in the cover and sections, and sew a basic long stitch along the spine. Some exterior sewn thread reinforcements will be introduced that reinforce the spine and can be quite decorative.

Workshop cost: $80

Material cost: $10 

Saturday, October 15th, 1:00-4:00pm 

Instructor Bio: 

Ami Beaver is a book and paper artist inspired by nature, classical botanical illustration and maps. While she dabbles in a number of creative pursuits, she considers the majority of her work to be book like, bookish or book inspired. Her book works incorporate elements of weaving, origami, hand lettering, embroidery and macrame. Bigwoodspress.com

Ami studied book and paper arts at Columbia College Chicago where she also taught community bookbinding, letterpress and paper making classes.  Additionally, Ami developed and taught workshops in the book and paper arts at a retail paperie.