Two-day workshop
Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (with a break for lunch)
At the Book Arts Lab, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6.
During the 19th century, cloth was substituted for leather as an inexpensive binding material, and it is still used in commercial binding today. Many of these books have developed tears and breaks through repeated use. This workshop will focus on techniques for repairing cloth bindings at their weakest points: corners, head and tail, joints, and shoulders; and restoring them to use. These techniques are ideal for circulating and reference collections. Practice books will be provided, but items can be brought from home or work as pieces for discussion and developing repair strategies.
Suitable for beginners and all experience levels.
Materials costs are 35 dollars (payable to instructor).
Register on Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ca/e/torn-to-tidy-repair-of-cloth-bound-books-tickets-1980805581817. Registration closes on April 1, 2026.
Instructor
Andrew Huot is a book artist, bookbinder, printer, and conservator in Scarborough, ON, where he operates Big River Bindery. He holds a Masters in Book Arts from the University of the Arts. His artists’ books use photographs, linoleum cuts, and text to share the humorous side of everyday life around us. His artists’ books are in collections from the Art Institute of Chicago to Yale University. Andrew teaches online and in his own studio and for the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild.
Other information
A minimum of 8 participants are required for this workshop to run.
Workshop and Refund policy – please see: https://cbbagottawa.ca/workshops/
Dining/Food: The nearest campus dining options may be closed on weekends. For up to date hours and locations see: https://dining.carleton.ca/locations/. Please bring your own food or refreshments if required.
For any other queries, please contact cbbagworkshops@gmail.com.
Getting to Carleton University Library
Bus and Train: https://www.octranspo.com/en/ottawa-destinations/carleton-university
Cycling: Carleton University is situated near several cycle paths including the Rideau Eastern Canal Pathway. See the OttawaVeloOutaouais blog for examples bike routes – https://ottawavelooutaouais.com/2019/09/15/biking-to-carleton-university/ Bike racks are available in several areas of the campus. Bicycles are not permitted inside the library. https://carleton.ca/parking/tdm-sustainable-transportation/
Parking: The parking lot P1 is the closest to the library. Note that there is a 4-hour maximum for parking in P1. For locations of other lots and parking information see https://carleton.ca/parking/visitors/.
Images courtesy of Andrew Huot
