Workshops and Courses
Workshops at the Shed, Bush Farm Cottage
Click on one of the titles below to see a description and examples of the gorgeous books you’ll make on the course! If you’d like to make a booking on one of the workshops please read the General Workshop Information at the bottom of the page first. If none of these dates suit you or you want a customised course for you or a group of students, please contact me for more information.
Please note that Books Galore 1, Books Galore 2 and Books Galore 3 are all standalone courses – they simply feature different book forms. So, you can come to any of them whether you are a beginner or have some experience.
We will be making examples of the following books. Click on the side arrows of the gallery below to see some examples of the bindings included on this course. Please note these are just examples of the types of bindings we will be making – the exact version we make may differ.
- Single section stub binding – a simple but interesting structure to warm us up and practice accurate cutting and folding.
- Australian binding
- French link stitch binding (image to follow)
- 3 section Origata binding – this is an elegant book which is almost entirely adhesive-free and features straps and simple stitching to hold the components together.
- Travel Journal with elasticated closure and storage pocket at the back. This will be made from laminated book cloth to give something between a softback and a hardback.
Cost: £300
If you’d like to book a place on this course you can either:
We will be making examples of the following books. Click on the side arrows of the gallery below to see some examples of the bindings included on this course. Please note these are just examples of the types of bindings we will be making – the exact version we make may differ.
- A wraparound, paper covered, notebook with torn edge pages.
- An accurate accordion fold book and fitted hard end covers.
- A single section, hardback notebook. This will be covered in book cloth created from hand-dyed/printed fabric.
- A multiple section, open spine hardback book using the fascinating Coptic form of binding, covered in hand-dyed/printed book cloth. We’ll use the twin needle method to give a nice strong structure with lovely patterns across the exposed spine.
- Stitching at least one variation of Japanese stab binding. This is another open spine binding with a variety of beautiful stitch patterns. The covers for this will be made from beautiful patterned papers.
- The oddly named Perfect binding. This will not only let you make books from cut sheets, such as computer prints, but you’ll also have the basic skills to rebind/repair your favourite paperback books.
Cost: £300
If you’d like to book a place on this course you can either:
We’ll start with learning how to fold an accurate accordion and will then make several small books based on the folded structure. We’ll start with an Accordion with stiff ends that makes a nice display structure or mini picture album, then we’ll make a blizzard book to hold business cards, then to finish we’ll make a three section stub binding with a paper cover.
Cost: £75
If you’d like to book a place on this course you can either:
This is one of my favourite books to make. It’s made up of three separate cover pieces which are woven together. The sections are then sewn on to the woven threads. See below for some examples.
Cost: £75
If you’d like to book a place on this course you can either:
We will be making examples of the following books. Click on the side arrows of the gallery below to see some examples of the bindings included on this course. Please note these are just examples of the types of bindings we will be making – the exact version we make may differ.
- A blizzard book – a folded book to contain business cards.
- A crown book – a variation on the blizzard book with removable pages
- The secret belgian binding – this gives a book which opens completely flat, and has a cover which will turn back on itself making it ideal for sketchbooks. The cover pieces and the spine piece are woven together with a crisscross effect. The signatures are then sewn on to the weaving. Fascinating.
- A long stitch binding where there is a wraparound cover and the signatures are sewn through the cover.
- A Drum Leaf binding – this is a binding where each pair of pages is a spread with no stitching in the centre, making it a lovely way to display art work or photographs.This one will have a case binding (a hard back).
Cost: £300
If you’d like to book a place on this course you can either:
Most instructions found on the Internet for this binding use a single needle and sewing along the spine. This method, using pairs of needles and stitching across the spine gives a similar chain pattern but a firmer structure. It also allows the colour of the sewing thread to vary along the spine. See below for some examples. We will be making a roughly A5 sketchbook.
Cost: £75
If you’d like to book a place on this course you can either:
Talks/Workshops for Groups & Guilds
I can offer a talk called ‘Turn round when possible …’ which is based on incidents that have pushed me into a new creative direction or project. A sort of ‘How I got here from there’. I charge £110 plus 45p/mile for travel. If the venue is more than 75 miles from here then I would require an overnight stay.
I can also bring a variety of book making workshops to you! See below for some possibilities. I charge £270 per day plus a materials charge per person, usually £5-£7 depending on the book we’re making, plus 45p per mile for travel. Depending on where the venue is, I may need an overnight stay.
Please note: I limit class sizes to 10 – this is partly because of equipment but also because I don’t feel I can do a good job with a larger group than this.
One day workshops
The images show the type of book we would make but the actual book will vary in design.
Twin needle coptic sketchbook – this is a lovely binding with hard covers that opens flat. The stitching goes over the spine and the colours of the threads can vary
Secret Belgian binding – probably my favourite book to make. The covers are made in three pieces which are woven together. The inside pages are then sewn on to the woven threads of the cover.
Drum leaf binding – this makes a lovely display book for artwork as there is no stitching in the middle of each spread.
General workshop info
Times:
Workshops at the Shed run from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The Shed will be open from 9.30am so you can come in, get settled and have a tea/coffee/soft drink before we start.
Bookings:
If you’d like to book any of the workshops you can either book and pay online, paying by debit/credit card or PayPal account, or pay by bank transfer. The materials are included in the cost. Sometimes students can bring optional materials if they wish.
Refreshments:
Tea, coffee and biscuits, as desired, are provided. You will either need to bring lunch with you or you can order from the cafe just down the road on the day. Please note that this is a rural location and the nearest sandwich shop is about 4 miles away.
Accommodation:
The cost DOESN’T include accommodation. There are excellent bed and breakfast places near here. Or, there is a small hotel if you don’t mind travelling a little further, or a full range of accommodation in Hull, which is approximately 15 miles away.
Clothing:
Some courses are deliciously messy so it would be wise to bring some protective clothing or wear old clothes. Comfortable feet are always a good idea as most courses require some standing.
Cancellation:
If you cancel your booking within four weeks of the workshop then full payment will still be due unless I can fill the place (which I often can if I have enough time). If I have to cancel a workshop then a full refund will be made.
Given the uncertainties of Covid, if you have to cancel because you are ill or self-isolating, or Covid related restrictions are in place then a full refund of deposit and any balance will be made.
Parking:
When you arrive please pull in to the first set of double gates, immediately after the paddock on the left and before the first brick outbuildings. Please park on the right hand side. Then walk round via the lane to the second set of gates and down the side of the house to the garden at the rear. Welcome!
How to get here
Ottringham lies to the east of Hull in the lovely East Riding of Yorkshire. Follow the A1033 towards Withernsea. When you reach Ottringham, you’ll see a big white building, Zara’s, on your left – turn right here. Follow this road out of the village until you see the derestricted speed signs. Bush Farm Cottage is the first house on the left after the signs.
Please turn in at the first set of gates and park on the right.
Welcome to Bush Farm Cottage!
Where to stay
I am very lucky, for such an out of the way place, to have excellent accommodation in the area.
Bed and Breakfast
Highfield Farm
This is actually a B rather than a B&B as it is self-catering. There is a kitchenette with each room so is ideal if you prefer to bring your own food with you. They also have an area for camping and touring caravans, as well as a Shepherd’s Hut! It’s about a half a mile walk from Highfield Farm to here.
Station Road
Ottringham
HU12 0BJ
Tel: 01964 622283
Mobile: 07808891988
Email: staywithus@highfield-farm.com
Web Site: http://highfield-farm.com/
Elm Tree Farm
A B&B, as well as a camping and caravan site.
Holmpton
Withernsea
East Yorkshire
HU19 2QR
Tel: 01964 630957
Email: cft-mcox@supanet.com
Web site: http://www.bandbatelmtreefarm.com
Hotel
Kingstown Hotel
Hull Road
Hedon
Hull
HU12 8DJ
Tel: 01482 890461
Email: kingstown.hotel@thespiritgroup.com
Web site: http://www.goodnightinns.co.uk
Camping & Caravaning site
Stone Creek Campsite
This small, friendly site is about 4.5 miles from here and is run by friends of mine …
Stone Creek House
Cherry Cob Sands
Nr Hull
HU12 9JX
Tel: 01964 630801
Email: simon@stonecreekhouse.co.uk
Web site: www.stonecreekhouse.co.uk