“Coptic and Caterpillar Stitch Book Making” with Rene Sears

Saturday, February 22, 2025.
10 AM to 4 PM.
$125, most supplies provided, lunch included. Limited to 10 Students.

This workshop will demonstrate assembling and stitching an exposed spine binding with double needle Coptic and/or Butterfly double needle stitch and the striking and dramatic centerpiece stitch, the Caterpillar stitch. We will construct a book with an exposed spine, but this technique can easily be applied to case-bound books or boxes as well.

Participants will make covers, fold and pierce signatures, then sew the cover and paper together, first with a stabilizing stitch (Coptic or Butterfly stitch) and then with caterpillar stitch.

This technique can showcase threads as well as cover papers and lends itself to additional embellishments. As well, these books lay flat when open, making them excellent sketchbooks or journals.

(Rene will demonstrate stitches and students may make one or two journals, depending on time.)