Come and learn all about making simple, handmade Single Section Pamphlet Books. Over the duration of six hours, you will be introduced to the tools, techniques, and principles of making a small selection of books utilising different decorative binding techniques. You will go home with a minimum of three different books, with the possibility of more depending on complexity. Materials list on receipt (up to $20)

Bookbinding Workshop: Pamphlet Books

Course Description

Discover the joy of traditional bookbinding in this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop. 

Over the course of one day, you’ll learn how to create beautiful, functional Single Section Pamphlet Books using simple tools and decorative stitching methods. 

Designed for complete beginners as well as craft enthusiasts, this workshop introduces the essential techniques, materials, and principles behind small-scale bookbinding.

Across six enjoyable hours, you’ll produce a small collection of handmade books, perfect as journals, gifts, or creative keepsakes. 

You’ll experiment with Three Hole Pamphlet Binding, Chain Stitch Binding, and Dot Dash Binding, all of which can be completed without glue or a book press. 

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have the skills and confidence to continue exploring bookbinding at home and a set of finished books to show for it. 

This workshop also serves as a perfect introduction to the popular four-week Bookbinding for Beginners course.

Course Structure

Your day begins with an introduction to basic bookbinding tools, paper types, and the concept of grain direction. 

After a demonstration, you’ll dive straight into your first project: a classic Three Hole Pamphlet Book. 

As the workshop progresses, you’ll explore more decorative stitching methods, including Chain Stitch Binding and Dot Dash Binding, each offering new techniques and creative possibilities.

Throughout the session, you’ll work step-by-step alongside the tutor, using needle and thread to stitch your books and learning how to select, fold, cut, and prepare papers for each style. 

By the end of the workshop, you will have created at least three different handmade books, and possibly more depending on your pace and chosen embellishments.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, students will be able to:

• Identify the common tools required for basic bookbinding
• Recognise paper grain and understand its importance
• Cut paper accurately using a blade and ruler
• Select suitable papers for various bookbinding projects
• Use needle and thread confidently to stitch book structures
• Create at least three books using Three Hole Pamphlet, Chain Stitch, and Dot Dash binding techniques.

Course Requirements

Please bring the following materials which can be purchased from Officeworks, Eckersleys, or Spotlight or online bookbinding specialist suppliers such as Amazing Paper, Traditional Bookbinding, or Winterbottom.

• Bone folder (bone or Teflon) OR butter knife, your own thumbnail
• Bookbinding awl OR tapestry needle, metal skewer
• Bookbinding needles OR tapestry needle
• Cutting mat OR plastic cutting board, piece of cardboard box
• Scalpel OR Stanley knife, box cutter, paper scissors
• Scoring tool OR letter opener, butter knife
• Steel ruler OR quilter's thick plastic ruler
• Steel triangle OR quilter's thick plastic ruler
• Waxed linen thread OR embroidery thread, thick cotton thread, polyester upholstery thread
• Paper – whatever you have access to – A4 photocopy paper, scrapbooking, Japanese,  handmade, decorative
• Cardstock – whatever you have access to - Canson, scrapbooking, decorative, kid’s craft cardboard
• Decorations - for making more elaborate versions - feathers, beads, tassels
• Notebook and pen

Your tutor is Katherine Grocott

Dr Katherine Grocott BDes, BTh, GradDipMin, MEd, PhD, Cert IV AWT has been teaching at WEA since 2025.

Katherine Grocott has spent decades teaching people of all ages, whether supporting children as they abseil for the first time, lecturing university students, or guiding emerging artists through jewellery-making workshops at JamFactory. A lifelong learner herself, Katherine is passionate about helping others grow in confidence, skill, and creative curiosity.

Her professional background spans menswear design, contemporary jewellery, and paper arts, giving her a rich foundation in craftsmanship and design. Katherine discovered bookbinding more than 15 years ago and has been creating journals, pop-up books, photo albums, memory books, and sketchbooks ever since, much to the delight of her family and friends. She brings this experience, along with her love of teaching, to every workshop she runs.