Tuesdays: February 4, 11, 18, 25; 5–6:30pm CT
Join us for a sensory-rich virtual workshop and create a unique hand-sewn textile book. Use a variety of pre-used or new textiles and thread, chosen by you before the workshop, to construct a tactile and visually appealing soft book.
We'll start with an overview of the materials, tools, techniques, and essential stitches in fabric bookmaking. Then, we will review the history of soft books, highlighting examples by artists and cultural influences. We’ll explore textile books as an art form with various compositions and design options to help develop a foundation for participants' conceptual themes and designs.
Participants will craft the fabric pages of their book during the workshop, design and construct the cover, assemble the book by hand sewing the spine, and embellish it with diverse materials. By the end, participants will have created a personalized experimental textile book art piece.
Basic hand-sewing experience is necessary to have prior to this workshop, including threading a needle, tying a knot, and making a running stitch. The instructor will introduce a variety of running stitches to add visual interest to your project.
Level: Intermediate. Basic hand-sewing experience is necessary to have prior to this workshop, including threading a needle, tying a knot, and making a running stitch. The instructor will introduce a variety of running stitches to add visual interest to your project.
Certificate: 6 hours, Category D
Pricing
$147/participant (10% discount for MCBA members)
$74 for BIPOC/Financial scholarship participants (10% discount for MCBA members)
MCBA offers two scholarship types for workshops—Financial Hardship Scholarships and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Scholarships—to honor equity and increase access and artistic opportunities for those who have historically been underrepresented in the book arts. For individuals to whom these scholarships do not apply, register at the Adult rate and, if you are able, consider making a donation when registering to support MCBA’s efforts to make scholarships available.
What you'll need to participate
Tech requirements: For this highly participatory virtual workshop, we recommend joining on a laptop or desktop computer with a camera and microphone, if possible. You will receive step-by-step instructions for downloading Zoom (it’s free!) and accessing the workshop online approximately 2 days before the workshop’s start date.
Materials: You are responsible for sourcing your own materials from the materials list. You are welcome to reach out to teaching artists with questions about materials in advance of the workshop (contact information is listed on the materials list).
