Traditional bookbinding workshop with materials and handmade books in progress
AU$319.00
Next: Sat, 28 Mar 9:30AM (AEDT)

Bookbinding for Beginners


Learn bookbinding fundamentals with Sydney Community College’s handcrafts short courses in Sydney!

For centuries, books were crafted by hand. This beginners course invites you to rediscover the art of hand bookbinding. Perfect for book lovers and hands-on creatives, you’ll learn essential techniques, work with premium materials, and create your own hand-bound books to take home. The course takes place in a professionally equipped bindery with expert tutors and is delivered in partnership with the NSW Guild of Craft Bookbinders.

What you'll learn:

  • Essential bookbinding terminology and tools
  • Accurate measuring, cutting, folding, gluing, and stitching techniques
  • How to create various hand-bound books including concertina albums and stitched notebooks

Course Outline

  • Two stitched booklets, including binding your course notes
  • A cased-in hardcover book and a concertina photo album
  • A multi-section French-stitched notebook and a Japanese four-hole binding (if time allows)

Schedule & Pricing

  • Courses run on weekends from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
  • Held at Ralph Lewis Bindery, Writing NSW, Callan Park, Rozelle NSW
  • Course fee: $319 or $339 depending on session

Additional Information

  • All materials are provided
  • Beginner tool kits available for discounted purchase
  • Wear closed-in shoes; bring your lunch and optionally an apron

Details

6 hours 30 minutes

You will learn

  • Master classic bookbinding tools and terminology
  • Learn precision cutting, folding, stitching, and gluing
  • Create multiple book styles including concertina and French-stitched

You will get

  • Multiple hand-bound books including hardcover and stitch-bound designs
  • All course materials and detailed course notes
  • Discounted toolkit available for purchase

Appropriate for

Complete beginners and those looking to refresh their bookbinding skills. Suitable for adults 18+ with good hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, basic numeracy, and comfort using sharp tools.


Preparation

What to bring

  • Your own lunch
  • Closed-in shoes for safety
  • Optional apron (clean aprons available)

What to wear

Closed-in shoes required


Your Teacher

Sydney Community College

Sydney Community College

38 reviews

Sydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors

The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.

We do this by:

  • Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
  • Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
  • Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
  • Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
  • Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.

Terms

Cancellations & Refunds

If the organiser cancels the class:

You are entitled to a full refund.

If you can't attend the class:

You’re welcome to send someone in your place.

OR

  • A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.

Terms & Conditions

At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.  

At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.

That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably.  Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:

Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College. 

 Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College. 

Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued.  If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.

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