During the Middle Ages, the long stitch technique was employed for hand binding blank books and stationery bindings. By the 1480s, this binding method made its way into the production of printed books in Italy, offering an affordable and practical means to safeguard and secure printed pages as they transitioned through the book trade to their initial owners. This binding method has rows of decorative sewing on the spine that connect the pages to the cover.

In this workshop we will construct a modern variation using the long stitch method with multiple folded paper sections and a stiff paper cover to make a blank long stitch book that participants can use as journals, notebooks, sketchbooks or gifts. Participants will complete a book during the workshop. Necessary materials will be easily gathered by participants from items they have at home, or supplies that can be found at local art or craft stores.