Historic Single-Cord Colonial BookBinding Class—Virtual Live Webinar with Kit on, Apr 15 2027

Discover the Bookbinding Traditions of Early Colonial America

Step back into the world of early colonial America and discover the craftsmanship behind one of its most enduring bookbinding structures. In this live online webinar, you’ll recreate a historic single-cord binding inspired by the books commonly produced and repaired throughout the American colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Before industrial book production, books were carefully sewn together by hand using methods that emphasized strength, simplicity, and longevity. The single-cord binding became a practical solution for creating durable volumes that could withstand generations of use while reflecting the resourcefulness of colonial craftsmen.

Join us from the comfort of your home as we explore the history, construction, and techniques behind this fascinating binding style. Your complete supply kit will be shipped directly to your door before the webinar, allowing you to work alongside the instructor as you create your own historically inspired binding.

Throughout the class, you’ll gain an appreciation not only for the mechanics of the binding itself but also for the important role books played in colonial life—as treasured possessions, educational tools, religious texts, and repositories of knowledge.

What You’ll Learn

• The history of bookbinding in early colonial America
• How single-cord sewing structures evolved from European traditions
• Traditional materials used by colonial bookbinders
• How to prepare and fold signatures for sewing
• Techniques for accurately punching sewing stations
• How to sew a historic single-cord text block
• Methods for constructing and attaching the cover
• Best practices for achieving clean, durable, historically inspired craftsmanship

What’s Included

• A complete supply kit shipped directly to your door
• Pre-cut signatures, boards, thread, covering materials, and specialty supplies
• A live online webinar with guided step-by-step instruction
• Downloadable written instructions and reference diagrams
• Access to a recording of the webinar after the event
• Optional follow-up email support for questions and troubleshooting

Tools Not Included in the Kit

• 12″ ruler
• Scissors
• X-Acto knife
• Pencil or white colored pencil
• Bone folder
• Awl
• Self-healing mat (optional)
• Sewing weight (optional)

Who It’s For

This webinar is ideal for bookbinding enthusiasts, historians, reenactors, librarians, conservators, artists, and anyone interested in early American craftsmanship.

While no prior bookbinding experience is required, we recommend participants have completed one of our introductory binding classes before taking this workshop. Familiarity with basic sewing techniques will help you get the most from this historically focused class.

By the end of the webinar, you’ll have completed a beautiful hand-bound 4×6 historical single-cord book and gained a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and craftsmanship of colonial American bookbinders.

Join us online and experience the techniques that helped preserve knowledge during the earliest years of American history.

Webinar Schedule

This live webinar begins at 10:00 AM MST and concludes at approximately 5:00 PM MST, with breaks throughout the day.

Shipping & Processing Time

Please allow approximately 8–12 business days for your supply kit to arrive before the webinar. All materials are carefully prepared and packed by hand to ensure quality. You’ll receive a shipping confirmation and tracking number as soon as your kit is on its way.