Long Stitch Binding (with kit)

Instructor: Suzanne Glémot ( artist bio )

Venue: Online (Zoom)

Days & Dates: Saturdays & Wednesday, August 16, 20 & 23 of 2025

Times: PT, Saturdays 9 AM – Noon, Wednesday 4 – 7 PM

Skill Level: Most everyone with basic bookbinding experience and comfort with precise measuring, punching, and thread tension control

Class Description:
Learn the foundations of the long stitch binding, a non-adhesive structure with a highly variable spine sewing pattern. Historically used in account and record books across Early Modern Europe, this technique beautifully balances structural function with decorative elements.

Students in this workshop will learn how to design and transpose a sewing pattern onto the spine of a paper case, based on a chosen number of signatures. Then, with step-by-step instructions, students will sew their text blocks into the covering materials through leather supports. Decorative elements such as button closures and stitching/embroidering into case paper will also be covered in demos throughout the class, and students will learn how to strategize an ‘order of operations’ that fits their design choices.

Participants will complete their own long stitch binding and leave the class equipped to pursue variations in their future design.

Prior experience and skills participants need in order to be successful in this workshop:

Introduction to bookbinding (or equivalent skill) is recommended. Students will benefit from understanding grain direction and from having the ability to maintain even sewing tension while binding multiple sections—a key aspect of this book structure.

Please note that this structure requires precise drawing and measuring, down to 1-2mm. Additionally, the process of ‘punching’ the sewing pattern into the case paper and the sections requires some sustained hand strength.

Instructor will provide access to class slides and will provide registrants with a write up of instructions ahead of the first session for participants to annotate as they find helpful.

Class Kits:
Class materials kits will be sent by the instructor. Class kits with shipping costs are $42 and are included in the class price.*

Tools & Supplies:
Lists will be included in SDBA’s timely Welcome Letter or within teacher PDFs.

Class Recordings:
Recordings will be available for one month following the last class in this series, for registered students only.

Class Fees:
Early Enrollment Program (EEP): $176
Member: $220
Non-member: $295

Early Enrollment Program (EEP) is a member only, non-refundable 20 % discount. Join SDBA at checkout for reduced class fees.

*International Shipping Note:
We adore our worldwide community of book artists! Please, we ask for your awareness that increased costs for International Shipping must be covered by the registrant and paid directly to SDBA. Each individual will be notified of the extra amounts due.

EEP Deadline: July 1, 2025
Registration Deadline: July 23, 2025