Syd will teach you a simple, beautiful technique called stab binding, where you sew the pages together along the spine to create a sturdy, decorative book. You’ll work with loose sheets of high-quality 100% cotton paper and a folded cover, then stitch everything together using a five-hole pattern.

By the end of class, you’ll leave with a handcrafted, elegant notebook (about 4.5” x 6.5”) that you can use as a journal, sketchbook, gift, or keepsake.

Froebel stars are formed from a few repeated folds, turning simple paper strips into an impressive 3d object. Traditionally, a German holiday ornament, they can also be strung together to form a colorful garland for any room. Syd will also teach you how to make a simple origami box, making the perfect all-paper gift!

Online
Thursday, June 12, 2025
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern, (5:30-8:00 p.m. central)

This binding is based on a widely available commercial notebook, mentioned in Wirecutter’s 2023 article, “The Best Notebooks and Notepads!” There’s no secret to its utilitarian construction. Cardstock covers are sewn in with the rest of the text block, making it a quick and useful book. Its decorative paper spine is an opportunity for customization and provides additional support.

Sign up on Kalamazoo Book Arts Workshop Page

This workshop was cancelled due to insufficient registration.

Learn to screen print using your own drawing or one of 4 Acre's designs. You will learn to prepare a screen with a photo emulsion stencil and how to print.

We will make an edition of 20, two color screenprints on quality cotton paper. If you want to print your image on something else you are welcome to bring any other flat or fabric item of your choosing. I recommend prewashing any fabric items beforehand.

Imagery should be no larger than 7’’ x 9’’ and will be printed on an 8’’ x 10’’ sheet.

This is an indoor/outdoor workshop. We will work in both my printshop and (weather permitting) my sunny screened in porch.

Registration by March 15th required.

In person at 4 Acre Press, with a 30min lunch break. Participants should bring their own lunch.

This workshop has been cancelled due to lack of sign ups.

1 - 4 pm

You COULD print Valentines, or you could NOT. Maybe you’re like me and still wandering what happened to December? Perhaps a poem or manifesto might be in order. You can print any short text that will fit on a 5’’ x 7’’ sheet.

Learn the basics of letterpress printing to create your own holiday cards. Each student will browse the 4 Acre collection of letterpress type and cuts to compose their own one color design. No experience necessary, this is an introductory level course. This class limited to 3 spaces so that each student can work on their own Showcard sign press.

20 sheets of a variety of paper and envelopes will be provided.

Registration closes October 20th (2 weeks before the workshop)

$75, REGISTER HERE

This workshop will take place online via Zoom at 7:30PM Eastern Time.

Super convenient, perfectly sized little paper books for quick note-taking, a grocery list, or sketching on the go. In this workshop, you’ll learn two methods for making small, flexible books that fit in your pocket or purse and are practical for everyday use.

Students will learn to make a Double Pamphlet with a Tipped Wrapper and a simplified version of the German Stiffened Paper Binding.

Students should prepare their own materials from the provided list on KBAC’s website.

$40, CLICK HERE TO REGISTER on KBAC’s website.

Join us as we learn to make pocket books. This is the perfect small, flexible book that fits in your pocket or purse. We’ve all used those super convenient, perfectly sized little paper books for quick note taking, a grocery list or sketching on the go. In this workshop you’ll learn two methods for making small books that are practical for everyday use. 

What students receive:

• Materials to leave class with two completed pocket sized books

• Tools to use during class (tools are not available to take home)

• Guided assistance from our instructor

• 2 glasses of wine, sparkling cider (non-alcoholic), or sparkling water to enjoy as you create

• 10% off coupon to use in our store!

$45, register on the DIME’s website !

Learn to screen print using your own drawing or one of 4 Acre's designs. You will learn to prepare a screen with a photo emulsion stencil and how to print.

We will make an edition of 20, two color screenprints on quality cotton paper. If you want to print your image on something else you are welcome to bring any other flat or fabric item of your choosing. I recommend prewashing any fabric items beforehand.

Imagery should be no larger than 7’’ x 9’’ and will be printed on an 8’’ x 10’’ sheet.

Saturday, March 23rd 10am – 3pm

100$

Register on the Services Page

Space is limited, advanced registration by March 16th is required.

This is an indoor/outdoor workshop. We will work in both my printshop and (weather permitting) my sunny screened in porch.

Froebel stars are formed from a few repeated folds, turning simple paper strips into an impressive 3d object. Traditionally a German holiday ornament, they can also be strung together to form a colorful garland for any room. In this workshop students will have their choice of papers to make 5 paper stars. Syd will also teach you how to make a simple origami box, making the perfect all paper gift!

Register on the DIME’s website.

This class is all about paper! Join us as we learn a Japanese 4 needle stitch while creating a beautiful paper journal. 4 needles are used simultaneously with a simple crisscross stitch to form the binding of this elegant book. The binding is exposed, making each material choice an opportunity to add visual interest to the book. This book opens fully and lays flat.

Register on the DIME’s Website.

The button hole binding uses multiple sections of folded sheets sewn into aleather wrapper. The construction allows the book to open fully and lay flat making it an excellent logbook, tasting journal or sketchbook. Students will leave with their completed journal.

What students receive:

• Materials to leave class with a completed buttonhole book

• Tools to use during class (tools are not available to take home)

• Guided assistance from instructor

** Registration closes for this workshop on Wednesday, August 2nd**

$89 Register at: Kendall Davis Clay

Syd will walk you through the process of making your very own leather journal using a leaf stitch. This style of construction allows the book to open fully and lay flat, making it an excellent journal or sketchbook. We will be using Stonehenge Aqua watercolor paper, making this an ideal journal for both wet and dry mediums.

$50 register on the DIME’s website

In letterpress printing, one sheet of paper can make the difference between what prints and what doesn’t. Pressure printing gets it’s name from this simple phenomenon. We will use hand cut stencils with a type-high matrix to produce an edition of note cards with various textures and shapes.

Sign up here: https://www.dimehandmade.com/in-person/43-watercolor-for-beginners-painting-flowers-kw6kl-38424

In this workshop students will make three books by sewing folded sheets into a paper cover. The exposed stitching is both structural and decorative. These single and double section books make excellent notebooks and work well for any short text.

Registration closes July 9th.

For more info and to register visit : https://printingmuseum.org/event/sewn-paper-bindings/

Learning how to get from letterpress type to the print you’re after takes some practice. After years of winging it, Syd has found a composing process that makes the best use of her time and cuts way down on revisions. In this demo she will share her process for using Adobe Photoshop and handset type to design the layout, separate layers, and plan for color mixing in a letterpress print.

To register visit : https://printingmuseum.org/event/color-separation-for-letterpress/