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Creative Bookbinding

Unleash your creativity with 

an all-inclusive arts & crafts holiday

  • Activity: Discover the art of bookbinding and learn different techniques to create beautifully bound books , journals, and albums.
  • All-inclusive package: Enjoy 3 meals per day and 5 nights accommodation at Gartmore House
  • Location: Gartmore House, Gartmore, Stirlingshire, FK8-3RS
  • Duration: 4 days tuition by an expert tutor
  • Tutor: Marion Archibald
  • Price: From £879

Available Dates

Dates 2024
All of our craft or activity holidays run for 5-nights from Sunday to Friday and start from £879 per person.

The above is based on single occupancy. A £100 per person discount is applied for art, craft and activity guests on a shared occupancy basis.

“I was on the hunt for a new craft to learn near me when I heard about this bookbinding residential course at Gartmore House.

About The Course

When there aren’t any bookbinding courses near you, then sometimes the best thing to do is to do it on holiday!

There aren’t many bookbinding courses like this one. Over four days of specialised tuition,  artist and bookbinder Marion Archibald will share some of her favourite bookbinding  techniques with you. From simple folded books, to sewn books using traditional and  contemporary bookbinding methods, and finally making boxes for books, you will learn a  variety of techniques in a fun and creative environment.  

Marion is passionate about making books and takes her inspiration from nature and discarded objects. She believes that bookbinding should be accessible for all so no fancy or expensive tools are needed to enjoy this course!

At the end of the your bookbinding course you will have a collection of unique and usable books, which make for great sketchbooks, journals, notebooks and presents as well as the skills and tools to make more of these at home.

The four days are loosely planned as follows, but allow time to explore different options and ideas for making books.

Monday

Folded, cut and folded, and simple, sewn books. On the first day you will learn about paper grain and good practice for folding paper and card. You’ll discover how to make lots of simple book structures and find out how they can be used to make interesting, fun and stylish books. You will learn how to create a hard-back cover for your books using decorative papers and clothes.

You’ll learn how to sew simple pamphlet books and build on that technique using decorative stitches. We’ll finish off the day making a single-section hard-back book using the sewing and covering techniques you learnt throughout the day.

Tuesday

Japanese Stab Binding – developing your skills folding and sewing books, you will make several small notebooks using different Japanese stab sewing techniques. You will also make a hard back wrap around cover for your books using book cloth, decorative papers and a learn how to add a decorative closure.

We’ll also create books using exposed bindings such as French linking, Coptic and long stitch using leather.

Wednesday

Making a hard-back book. Using techniques that touch on traditional book binding, you’ll learn to sew a book block, round the spine, add headbands and a marker ribbon and attach the block to a hard case that’s covered with decorative paper and book cloth.

Thursday

Making boxes for books - make a hard slipcase for your hard-back book. You will learn the technique for making the box strong and cover it in book cloth.

The final part of the course is over to you! Using any of the materials available, take time to practice your favourites and hone your book-making skills; be creative and have fun!

Course Inclusions And Coverage

This course is an all-in-one package which includes the following:

Tuition

Booking for this course includes 4 days of specialist tuition from Marion Archibald.

Equipment

All specialist equipment will be supplied but there will be a few essential items that you will need to bring. Please see our terms and detailed information section below.

Food & Accommodation

Full board catering and 5-nights accommodation are included when you book.

Transfers

Complimentary transfers are included when you book - subject to certain conditions.*

* Transfers from Stirling train station are available on the arrival and departure days (pick-up from the station at 15:30, departs Gartmore House at 9:15). Transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports are available at an additional cost.

Here's what a previous participant has to say about this course:

“Had an absolutely amazing day with Marion Archibald as tutor making and creating individual books. What a fabulous workshop. Marion’s knowledge, teaching and inspiration made it a very special experience.” Deirdre J.

Picture Gallery

tERMS & DETAILED INFORMATION
  • Terms of Booking

  • Workshop Themes

  • Example Programme

  • Kit List

Your tutor will provide all the materials and equipment for your course. There will be lots of decorative papers, coloured book cloth, ribbons, buttons etc. to work with but please feel free to bring along any of your own you might like to include.

Your Course Tutor: Marion Archibald

Marion Archibald was born a stone’s throw from Gartmore House but now lives outside Perth and has studios in Thornton, Fife.

Marion studied Fine Art Photography at Glasgow School of Art, making her own sketchbooks to record her creative process. Many of her books now incorporate historical photographic techniques.

Since graduating Marion has delivered workshops for The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour; the Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh; St Andrews University and is a visiting tutor at Glasgow School of Art. She also completes commissions for other artists and creative organisations.

You can find out more about Marion and her work via her website, studios and Instagram. 

Faq

  • The Course

  • Bedrooms

  • TRansport & location

  • FOOD & DRINK

  • OTHER

Where can I find out more about the course? 

If you need any further information about your course that is not on our website, please get in contact with us and we can provide you with the tutor’s contact details who can assist with your query.


What do I need to bring on my art, craft and activity break?

Your required kit list for your specific break is shown on each course’s webpage.  Your tutor will also be in contact with you, prior to your course to confirm kit lists and questions you have.

Should you have any queries, then please feel free to contact us.

What is the art, craft and activity holiday booking terms and conditions?

To confirm your holiday a non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.

The balance of your payment must be received no later than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement of your holiday. In the case of non-payment, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and any cancellation fees will apply.

All deposits are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your booking up to 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, we will refund any monies paid, less your deposit. If you cancel less than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, no refund will be given.

Holidays are subject to availability and subject to change. There is a minimum number of guests required to run each course. If a course is cancelled due to low numbers, you may transfer any monies paid to an alternative date or a full refund will be issued. We do advise you to take out holiday insurance for this reason.

What time do your transfer services for the art, craft & activity holidays operate?

We offer a complimentary transfer services to and from Stirling train station. Collection is at 3:30pm from the station on the day of arrival, and our drop-off service departs from Gartmore House at 9:15 am on day of departure.

The closest airports to us are Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. If you require a transfer to and/or from either airport, please select this option at the time of booking. Transfers to/from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are available at an additional cost. After booking your flights, please update your Customer Portal with the time you wish to be collected from the airport on the day of arrival and the time of collection at Gartmore House, returning to the airport, on the day of departure. Please allow 60 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Glasgow Airport, or 90 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Edinburgh Airport.

Can I bring a partner/friend to stay with me while I am on an art, craft or activity break?

If you’re coming on one of our art, craft or activity holidays and would like to bring a friend, partner, or member of your family, then we have you (and them!) covered. Accompanying guests will enjoy full board catering and shared accommodation with you. Please add them at the checkout stage.



Spots on this course are limited!

Book your spot now and join us at Gartmore House. We are confident it will deepen your understanding of BookBinding.

Need help? Don't hesitate to contact us.

  • Gartmore Estate, Stirling, FK8 3RS, Scotland
  • mail@gartmorehouse.com
  • 01877 382 991