Event

Create a book in the Japanese tradition. We will practice several variations of the stab binding stitch, from simple to more decorative stitches, on sewing cards. We will then use one of these stitches to bind a book using Japanese papers and techniques such as paper staples. This structure is great for binding together single flat sheets, and those studying Japanese books will leave with an understanding of how they are put together.

Our Instructor: Mary Tasillo directs programming and strategic initiatives for Common Press, the University of Pennsylvania’s book arts and letterpress studio, in partnership with Penn Libraries, the Weitzman School of Design, and Kelly Writers House. She is cofounder of The Soapbox: Community Print Shop and Zine Library, where she has taught classes and organized numerous community events, from drop-in poster making responses to current events to edible screenprinting sessions. Mary learned Japanese book binding techniques from Yukari Hayashida at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina. She also studied bookbinding with Hedi Kyle at the University of the Arts, where she earned an MFA in Book Arts and Printmaking.