WHAT WE OFFER

We have courses for the beginner, the curious and those who want to develop their skills in many different aspects of bookbinding. We want to assist you to discover the joys of this ancient, and modern, craft.

The Guild has a regular programme of courses throughout the year, mostly at weekends. This programme always includes several (usually four) Introduction to Bookbinding classes, for the beginner; and our Intermediate course (for those who have Introduction skills) in which we make a classic and traditional case-bound journal, which is rounded and backed giving the classic concave foredge and rounded spine.

Through the year we also add other classes in various styles, techniques and associated skills to improve your craft. These are added to our Calendar as they are ready.

Classes in the year may include aspects of repair and restoration; contemporary binding methods; special skills such as paring leather or adding headbands; and new ways of binding books like an Origata Binding or K118 binding (two classes run in recent years). We also look at some of the historic styles which are no longer in general use.

In some years we may run a course in binding in leather, with a series of preparatory days teaching necessary skills like leather paring; followed by a course of 4-6 days usually spaced over several weeks.

WHO CAN REGISTER

All courses are for members only, so to register you first need to become a member and then select the course you want to register for from the Events Calendar. Your membership lasts for 12 months until your renewal date

COURSE VENUE

The usual venue is the Brisbane Visual Arts Community (BVAC) Hub building at 140 Weller Road, Tarragindi, where we have our rooms for materials and equipment storage, and we use the upstairs space for classes. Toilets, a kitchen, parking, and air conditioning are available. The site is fully accessible with a lift and disabled parking

From time to time we offer courses at regional centres; these have included Toowoomba, Grafton and Mackay. Let us know your needs.

OUR TUTORS

Our tutors are nearly always Guild members who are keen to volunteer to share their skills. We occasionally have visiting tutors, including international bookbinders when they are visiting Australia. Most courses have a helper or assistant.

WHAT YOU WILL PAY

The basic daily course fee is $100. Two-day weekends are $200 course fee. There may be additional costs for expensive materials but normally the course fee covers all materials, tuition and notes.

THE BASICS

What you will learn:

Introduction to Bookbinding (photo of pamphlet and sketchbook)

• Making a simple pamphlet book and a basic cased sketchbook

• Folding and sewing pages

• Making a case with board, bookcloth and paper

• Putting the book together

• Basics of paper grain

• Different glues and materials, how to use them

Intermediate Bookbinding (photo of Intermediate book)

• Measuring and marking sections and sewing pages into a book block

• How to round and back the text to give a rounded spine and concave front edge

• How to measure and make the case with a buckram spine and corners with decorative cover paper

• How to case-in (unite) the book into a finished volume

WHAT WE PROVIDE (photo of materials)

• At the Introduction course all your basic tools such as bonefolder, craft knife and ruler in your kit to take home

• At all courses the materials you will need to make that book

• All glues, thread, board and tapes etc

• A full set of notes

• Expert tutor and an assistant

• Access to equipment needed to create that book

• Morning and afternoon tea supplies

• Toilets, parking and air-conditioning on-site

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

• Your basic tools (except for Introduction)

• Your lunch

• An apron

• Closed in shoes

• A stool if you can’t stand for long

• Energy for a full day or days of learning

• Additional tools or materials if requested by the tutor

WHO TO CONTACT

The best contact is through the courses@qbg.org.au email. The current Courses Convenor is Sarah Davies.

You can also contact the Guild Secretary on secretary@qbg.org.au