Skip to content

Big River Bindery

Practicing the Book Arts in the Greater Toronto Area

  • Home
  • Conservation and Restoration
  • Custom Bookbinding
  • Boxes and Enclosures
  • Letterpress Printing
  • Workshops
  • Movie Props
  • The Equipment
  • What’s Happening in the Shop
  • Press
  • Book Arts in Canada
  • About
  • Contact
Big River Bindery

What’s Happening in the Shop

We’re working hard and having fun in the shop. See some of what we’ve been doing here.

bigriverbindery

I’m reattaching some boards and endpapers to the I’m reattaching some boards and endpapers to these children’s books. With the paper repair finished, I’m getting the books put back together. Tipping on the endpapers with boards attached is a little tricky. #bookconservation #bookrepair #tippingon #endpapers #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
I’m trying to find a colour match for this cover I’m trying to find a colour match for this cover out of my stash of toned Japanese tissue before getting out my paints. Not finding an exact match yet. I have lots of scraps I hope to use again sometime. #bookconservation #bookrepair #tonedtissue #japanedepaper #washi #reback #spinereplacement #bookarts #torontobookarts
I love unwrapping a book repair at the end of the I love unwrapping a book repair at the end of the process. We use stretchy ace bandages to keep pressure on the original spine when glued back in place. One last check and I’ll call the client. #bookconservation #bookrepair #reback #acebandage #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
When sewing a new book, we press the air out of th When sewing a new book, we press the air out of the folded pages. My book press does a good job flattening all the folds. It will sit pressed over the weekend to prepare them for sewing. #bookbinding #bookpress #flatteningpages #smashthebook #handmadebook #torontobookarts
I’m preparing some new text blocks for some leat I’m preparing some new text blocks for some leather bindings I’ll be making in a couple weeks. Getting all the paper folded and pressed ahead of time. #bookbinding #bookarts #foldingsignatures #foldandpress #fridayinthestudio
Just a few of the pop-ups we made in the workshop Just a few of the pop-ups we made in the workshop last night. We had a fun cutting and folding paper and making it move. #popups #paperengineering #movablepaper #bookarts #torontobookarts
Doing some cosmetic repairs on the corners of this Doing some cosmetic repairs on the corners of this book. I’ve copied the original marbled paper to make patches that blend in when finished. #bookconservation #bookrepair #marbledpaper #fixingcorners #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
There’s still time to sign up for our Online Cla There’s still time to sign up for our Online Clamshell Box Workshop. Learn to make a custom sized clamshell box from your own home or studio, with the timing and pace that works for you. The recorded lessons let you rewatch the process and the PDF instructions explains the process step by step. See the listing on the workshop page of our website, link in the bio. #bookarts #clamshellbox #boxmaking #bookbinding #bookartsworkshop
I’m tipping some loose sheets onto this bible be I’m tipping some loose sheets onto this bible before regluing the spine. I’m happy to be done with all the paper repair, and will start working on the new cover spine next. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
I’m creating a fill for a loss on the edge of th I’m creating a fill for a loss on the edge of this bible cover. I try to match the thickness and stiffness of the original covers so they feel right when it’s used. This will be covered by a toned tissue to match the color. #bookconservation #bookrepair #biblerepair #bookbinding #bookarts #fillingaloss #brokencover #torontobookarts
Join us for an evening of pop-up fun. We’ll expl Join us for an evening of pop-up fun. We’ll explore paper engineering and make some lively pop up cards. More information at our website, link in the bio. #popups #paperengineering #bookarts #torontobookarts
After a week of learning and binding with friends, After a week of learning and binding with friends, it’s back to work in the studio. I’m repairing this copy of Frankenstein and starting by cleaning the spine. All that hide glue and acidic paper removed will help make the book happy again. #bookconservation #bookrepair #bookbinding #bookarts #torontobookarts
Join me at @gwartzmans for some book arts workshop Join me at @gwartzmans for some book arts workshops in May and June. We’re offering an introduction to book arts and a tunnel book workshop at their Spadina Ave location. See more at their website or the link in my bio. #bookarts #bookbinding #pamphlet #accordionbook #tunnelbook
There’s still time to sign up for our introducti There’s still time to sign up for our introduction course. Learn to use the tools and materials and go home with a stack of books you’ve made. See more at our website, link in the bio. #bookarts #bookbinding #pamphlet #accordionbook #torontobookarts
While my friends are in town, we took time off our While my friends are in town, we took time off our binding to stop at the @fisherlibrary to see some amazing bindings and artists books. Glad to send time with Michael Wilcox and Robert Wu bindings and artists books by Tara Bryan and @marlenemaccallum. #finebinding #bookbinding #artistsbooks #bookarts #librarytour
I had a great time at #gradex110 and seeing the th I had a great time at #gradex110 and seeing the thesis work by @e.m._harrison. A great collection of books and prints. Go see it this week if you can. At @ocaduniversity through Sunday. #bookarts #printmaking #artistsbooks #letterpress
Trimming down our Romanesque Bindings today. Inste Trimming down our Romanesque Bindings today. Instead of a plow or guillotine, we’re trimming the books in the boards. Not as easy as we thought at first. #bookbinding #handbookbinding #romanesquebookbinding #trimmingpaper #bookarts #torontobookarts
Some friends came to the shop so we can figure out Some friends came to the shop so we can figure out the binding methods for Romanesque books. We’ve been reading and exploring, now we’re trying to make our own. #bookbinding #bookarts #historicbooks #romanesquebinding
We had a great meeting of Toronto book artists at We had a great meeting of Toronto book artists at the TMU Archives and Special Collections tonight. We saw some of the collection before sharing our own work with each other. A fun evening meeting new folks an and catching up with friends. #bookarts #artistsbooks #torontobookarts #printmaking #letterpress #photobooks
While I’ve been working on other things, @e.m._h While I’ve been working on other things, @e.m._harrison has been making new boxes and sorting the spacing material in the shop. Now my students won’t have to fight over the 24 point ems. #letterpress #leadtype #spacingmaterial #sorting #shopcleaning #bookarts #torontobookarts
Follow on Instagram

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Instagram

Sign up for email notices of events and classes.

Proudly powered by WordPress