Torn to Tidy : Repair of Cloth Bound Books.

Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, 2026, 10:30am - 5:30pm each day with lunch break.

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 FEE (paid to instructor at workshop): $35

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY :

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.

Deadline for registration is April 01, 2026.

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 [email protected]

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. For locations of other lots and parking information see https://carleton.ca/parking/visitors/.

Images courtesy of Andrew Huot

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Host or Publisher Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG) Ottawa Valley Chapter