Learn to bind your own leather journal

I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be teaching one of my favorite workshops again this summer. My leather journal workshop has been one of my most popular classes in the past, which is great because it's also one of my favorites to teach. And these leather journals are one of my favorite types of books to make. 

handmade leather journal workshop in Nashville

The class this summer will be a one-day workshop hosted by Watkins Community Education in Nashville. We'll spend the day making a leather bound book from start to finish, and at the end you'll have your very own book bound with the distinctive Italian Long Stitch. And once you've completed your book, I'd love to encourage you to use it as a journal, sketchbook, or photo album. (If you need some ideas for how to fill your freshly-bound book, be sure to visit my inspiration page.)

You can find all the details about the workshop below. I hope to see you there!

handmade leather journals

Traditional Leather Bookbinding with a Contemporary Twist

When: Saturday, July 23; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

Where: Watkins College, 2298 Rosa Parks Blvd., Nashville

Cost: $90, plus $30 materials fee

To Register: Call (615) 383-4848 or sign up online

Learn to bind a soft-cover leather book that can be used as a journal, a sketchbook, or a photo album. Using the Italian Long Stitch style, a historical binding that dates to 14th Century Europe, each student will create a book with a leather cover that features exposed decorative stitching on its spine, and pages that lay completely flat when open. Students will use leather for the book cover and have the option to include interesting contemporary papers inside. The workshop will also include the opportunity to view and handle a collection of professionally made examples. You’ll leave this class with a completed handmade book, and the skills and resources to continue binding at home. No previous bookbinding experience is required.

Katie Gonzalez leather journal

New bookbinding classes in Nashville, Tennessee

It's that time of year again — time to go back to school. But even if your school days are behind you, that doesn't mean you can't learn something new this fall.

I will be teaching two bookbinding classes, a bookbinding workshop, and a graphic design class at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film this fall. Online registration is now open, so it's the perfect time to browse the catalog and pick out a course that catches your interest. All of these classes are offered through the community education department at the college, so anyone can sign up.

You can find all of the details about my book arts offerings below, and please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions. Hope to see you in class this fall!

Bookbinding classes in Nashville by linenlaid&felt

Introduction to Book Arts

When: Mondays, Sept. 15 – Nov. 10; 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: Watkins College, 2298 Rosa Parks Blvd., Nashville
Cost: $210, plus $40 materials fee
To Register: Sign up online or call 615.383.4848

Learn how to make more than a dozen types of books in this introductory class. Students will become familiar with the materials, tools, techniques, and vocabulary of handmade books. Students will create their own books each week, starting with simple folded structures and building toward intricate books that can be used as journals, sketchbooks, photo albums, and sculptural displays. Students will explore the essentials of paper grain, folded signatures, hardcover and softcover books, and binding by hand. All tools and supplies included in the materials fee.

Bookbinding tools photo by psalm27 creative

Intermediate Book Arts: 
Exposed Spine Bindings 

When: Wednesdays, Sept. 17 – Nov. 12; 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: Watkins College, 2298 Rosa Parks Blvd., Nashville
Cost: $210, plus $40 materials fee
To Register: Sign up online or call 615.383.4848

Build your bookbinding skills in this class focusing on a handful of ambitious bindings with exposed stitching along the book spines. Students will go in-depth with a series of binding lessons — learning new techniques and styles while having substantial time to personalize each project. We will explore long stitch and link stitch variations, exposed tape binding, and the icicle binding, among other styles. These bindings will allow students to create journals, sketchbooks, and photo albums. You’ll leave this class with handbound books and the skills to continue binding at home. Prerequisite: completion of Introduction to Book Arts, one of my bookbinding workshops, or comparable experience. Tools and supplies included in materials fee.

Hanmade book Christmas ornaments by linenlaidfelt in Nashville


Handmade Miniature Book 
Holiday Ornaments 

When: Saturday, November 15; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Watkins College, 2298 Rosa Parks Blvd., Nashville
Cost: $80, plus $20 materials fee
To Register: Sign up online or call 615.383.4848

Create eye-catching ornaments perfect for the holidays! Students will complete three types of miniature books while learning basic bookbinding techniques. One ornament will be a hardcover book with blank pages, ideal for collecting holiday memories to reflect on each year. The second book will be bound in a lotus style that can hang on your tree in two different shapes: either opened into a three-dimensional star, or folded closed into a neat diamond. The third ornament will be folded and stitched together to create an accordion book resembling a festive star or snowflake. No bookbinding experience required. All tools and materials provided.