Courses
All Courses
We run a programme of course throughout the year catering for people who are new to bookbinding or have some experienced.
For further details or queries please email courses@southernbookcrafts.org
A multi-day course for beginners. No experience required
Evening Beginners Course
23rd September to 11th November 2026
This courses will progressively help you understand and practice the basic methods and techniques of making books. Once completed, the course provides the foundation for further developing your skills and pursuing your own bookbinding/bookcraft interests.
The evening courses runs every Wednesday 6pm to 9pm for 8 weeks and the tutor is Stefan Trebacz.
More details
During this course you will make several different types of book with different cloth/paper covers containing plain paper content:
| 1 | 3 hole simple pamphlet stitch full binding |
| 2 | 5 hole simple pamphlet stitch with added coloured end paper – half binding |
| 3 | 5 hole simple pamphlet stitch with tipped on coloured end papers – three quarter binding |
| 4 | Stub binding with 5 hole simple pamphlet stitch with tipped on coloured end papers |
| 5 | Paperback |
| 6 | Flat-backed book with 5 sewn sections using French link stitch |
| 7 | (Time dependent) Rounded and backed book |
| 8 | (Time dependent) Simple photograph album using stubs |
| 9 | Slip case |
Associate Membership
Participation in the course gives you Associate Membership. This allows you to use the bindery for the duration of your course for free on a Tuesday and Friday morning (prior notice required). This can be great to catch up on the course if you miss a session. It can also be used for personal projects and it is a nice way to get to know the other members if you are considering full membership.
A multi-day course for beginners. No experience required
Morning Beginners Course
25th September to 13th November 2026
This courses will progressively help you understand and practice the basic methods and techniques of making books. Once completed, the course provides the foundation for further developing your skills and pursuing your own bookbinding/bookcraft interests.
The evening courses runs every Friday 9:30am to 1pm for 8 weeks and the tutor is Joseph Sale.
More details
During this course you will make several different types of book with different cloth/paper covers containing plain paper content:
| 1 | 3 hole simple pamphlet stitch full binding |
| 2 | 5 hole simple pamphlet stitch with added coloured end paper – half binding |
| 3 | 5 hole simple pamphlet stitch with tipped on coloured end papers – three quarter binding |
| 4 | Stub binding with 5 hole simple pamphlet stitch with tipped on coloured end papers |
| 5 | Paperback |
| 6 | Flat-backed book with 5 sewn sections using French link stitch |
| 7 | (Time dependent) Rounded and backed book |
| 8 | (Time dependent) Simple photograph album using stubs |
| 9 | Slip case |
Associate Membership
Participation in the course gives you Associate Membership. This allows you to use the bindery for the duration of your course for free on a Tuesday and Friday morning (prior notice required). This can be great to catch up on the course if you miss a session. It can also be used for personal projects and it is a nice way to get to know the other members if you are considering full membership.
A short course for beginners. No experience required
10th October – Taster Morning
Our Taster Morning is a great way for you to find out whether bookbinding is a craft that you will enjoy.
Courses take place on Saturday mornings, once a month.
More details
With instruction from an experienced tutor, you’ll be introduced to the basic skills required. You’ll start by making a very simple book from scratch, and progress from there. At the end you’ll take away a set of notebooks made with your own hands.
Taster Mornings are available on specified Saturdays depending on tutor availability and usually start at 9:00 am and finish around 1:30pm.
If you enjoy the day then why not book a Beginner’s Course?
15th April to 6th May 2026 – Leather Bookbinding with Nick Cowlishaw
Make your own leather book from scratch. A great workshop to take your bookbinding up a level. The course takes place in our fully equipped bindery in Winchester. It runs for four sessions starting on Wednesday 15th April and continues every Wednesday until 6th May, 10am to 3pm. And all for the exceptionally great price of£150.
Members discount: 50% -Associate discount: 20%
More details
Under the very experienced tution of Nick Cowlishaw, you’ll make a beautiful leather covered book. As well as learning the finer details of working with leather, you will also learn some advanced techniques of book construction. So it is the perfect course for those who have completed a beginners course, or City and Guilds and want to take their bookbinding to the next level.
- 15th April 2026
- 22nd April 2026
- 29th April 2026
- 6th May 2026
9th May 2026 – Finishing Course with Nick Cowlishaw
Learn how to add gold/foil decorations and text to your books.
Saturday 9th May 2026 – 10am to 3pm
Members discount: 50% -Associate discount: 20%
More details
Under the very experienced tution of Nick Cowlishaw, you’ll learn how to add beautiful decorations and text to your books using hand tools and metallic foils.
The course takes place in our fully equipped bindery in Winchester on Saturday 6th May 2026.
