Sunday, Feb 1st, 2:00 PM EST

Presented by Mick | Est. run time 1 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Having trouble describing what you're trying to accomplish? Would you like to try a book you've seen in the past, but don't know the right search term? Join us for a Beginners Vocabulary Presentation, where you can learn some terminology about different parts and types of books, methods of constructions, and materials and tools. 

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

Sunday, Feb 1st, 7:00 PM EST

Presented by Catz | Est. run time 1 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

A discussion of when and how injuries using crafting tools can happen, and preparing to prevent them. No particular bookbinding techniques required: tools used in trimming, chiseling, sewing, and other techniques will be discussed, but the intended audience is people of all experiences.

No materials; review your space/tools and consider how you’re most likely to hurt yourself.

This workshop is intended for all experience levels.

Tuesday, Feb 3rd, 7:00 PM EST

Presented by six | Est. run time 1 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Run through how to use the Villainous Imposer Program (https://sithel.github.io/vip/) and highlighting updates that have happened over the last year

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

Friday, Feb 6th, 9:00 PM EST

Presented by Desmothene | Est. run time 2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Learn to sew French style endbands (single core & multi-core) with Desmothene. We will review materials (expensive & inexpensive), technique, color patterns, and recovery from errors.

This workshop is intended for an Intermediate level. 

Materials List (recommended material choice starred, alternatives below):

Endband Core
- leather jeweler’s cord
- roll a piece of tissue paper into a 1 mm thickness solid core
- paper bag handle (the twisted together kind)
- twine coated in PVA, then twisted as tight as you can and dried

Sewing Thread (at least 4 colors; up to 6 colors)
- silk hand sewing thread
- embroidery thread

Glue
Needle (straight preferred) x 2 (or as many as you have colors, if desired)
Awl
Glued textblock prepared (rounded and backed if doing so)
Page markers/stickies/post-its

Saturday, Feb 7th, 12:00 PM EST

Presented by Katethereader | Est. run time 2-3 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Affinity, which is now free, is an excellent program for designing books. You may think it's very complicated, but I will teach how to take a text downloaded from AO3 and easily create a professional book. I walk through all the steps involved in making a clean typeset, using the features of Affinity designed to make creating books easy and slick. I will share my screen as I design the book, and answer questions as they arise. After the class, you will be able to create a book document, with master pages and text styles, insert text, style it and place extras like page numbers, a table of contents, and illustrated chapter opening pages. You will be able to progress further and refer back to the areas covered using my written guide to Affinity 3. No materials are needed by workshop participants, but if you have questions about your own typesets, we can cover some specifics as well in the Q&A.

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

This workshop is part of a multi-part series. This session will have an encore.

Saturday, Feb 7th, 8:00 PM EST

Presented by Mahoganydoodles | Est. run time 1-2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Typesetting in Word is an exercise in hubris with each image you add or footer you adjust. PowerPoint can help you create creative layouts easily, with a lower learning curve than tools like Adobe, + you might already have it on your computer! This workshop will walk through the fundamentals of how to typeset in this software. 

While not ideal for long fics, PowerPoint can be helpful for more experimental typesetting, like a Pokedex or pamphlets. Helpful tips for other ways to use PowerPoint (to create custom icons, test printing layouts before typesetting, to use multiple printers...) will also be covered. 

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

Sunday, Feb 8th, 10:00 AM EST

Presented by Mick | Est. run time 1-2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Demonstration and description of several methods of endpages construction and attachment, including sewn-in made endpapers, cloth-hinged endpapers, tipped on endsheets, and more!

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

Materials:

Text-weight Paper
Decorative or Mid-weight Paper
Glue or Paste and Accessories (Brush, etc.)
Waste Sheets
Textblock, if desired
Linen, Muslin, or Cotton (or Bookcloth)
Ruler, Knife, Cutting Mat; or Scissors

Sunday, Feb 8th, 2:00 PM EST

Presented by Notwhelmedyet | Est. run time 2-2.5 hrs.

This workshop will be recorded.

Note: this is not a class on writing scripts! The scripts are already written as we’re going to use them.

Scribus is a free and open-source program in the style of Affinity Publisher or InDesign. It can run user-written python scripts (essentially macros), and I’ve crafted a handful of them to speed up making rich, decorated typesets. This workshop will cover program fundamentals, my AO3-to-book workflow and where scripts can be used to speed up the process. I will walk through typesetting a fic using a base template and modifying it to suit the style of your fic.

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

Monday, Feb 9th, 9:00 PM EST

Presented by owl_winter | Est. run time 1-2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Want to learn how you can typeset an entire Ao3 fic in one click?

Microsoft Word macros can save you hundreds of hours of typesetting work. With a bit of code, you can make Word do all of the heavy lifting for you!

In this talk, we will cover the basics of how to set up Macros from scratch, how to install and use the Blak Books Bindery Macros (which can typeset an Ao3 fic into a book in a single click!), how to customize Macros, how to use debugging tools, and some other examples of Macros that are useful for bookbinding.

Everything will be beginner friendly!

Having access to Microsoft Word during the talk is recommended (so that you can follow the instructions on setting up and running Macros alongside the talk), but certainly not required.

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

Materials:

Microsoft Word (recommended)

Thursday, Feb 12th, 3:00 PM EST

Presented by queercus | Est. run time 1 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Books not opening fully? Hinges not pressing crisply enough for you? Other things about your book not sitting quite right? This is the workshop for you! I’m going to explain how to calculate your hinges, with helpful diagrams and (hopefully) minimal formulas. 

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level.

Saturday, Feb 14th, 9:00 AM EST

Presented by Kate & Goose | Est. run time 2-3 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Kate and Goose walk you through the basics of medieval European bookbinding, from its history to its modern practice. 

Kate will start with a rapid historical survey of medieval European binding styles, with an eye to major changes over time. This overview will run roughly from the Carolingian period (8th century CE) to the end of the Middle Ages (16th century CE), with a focus on the manuscripts of the high Middle Ages/Gothic period (11th to13th centuries). 

This presentation will be illustrated from Kate’s time working as a rare books cataloger and rare books librarian, and will also discuss what working with such manuscripts in a modern rare books library is like.

Goose will continue with several videos showing how they accomplish several different medieval binding styles today. In particular, Goose will demonstrate various stitches used to sew on supports, how to lace on boards, and explain what changes they've made to these techniques in light of modern tools and materials.

There will be ample time for Q&A.

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level.

Sunday, Feb 15th, 11:00 AM EST

Presented by Dcbrierton | Est. run time 1-2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Marbling can produce beautiful papers through a mix of serendipity and control. Because of the complexity of interactions between the paint, bath, and paper, it can be hard to find the control part of the equation. This workshop will use a mix of slides and live demonstration to cover many of the variables that we can control, and some of the effects they have on our finished papers. Topics include environment, paint, size, paper, tools, preparation and finishing processes, and the movements of the marbler.

The presentation assumes a basic level of marbling competence (you can get paint to float on the bath and then adhere to a piece of paper). It’s okay if you feel there are big problems with your marbling.

Demonstrations will move quickly, so following along during the presentation is not recommended.

This workshop is intended for an Intermediate level. 

To practice techniques afterward or while viewing the recording, you will need:

Prepared marbling bath
Paper to suit dimensions of bath, prepared with alum if applicable
Acrylic or watercolor paint, thinned to drop/float well 
Cups for paint
Eyedroppers or pipettes
Whisk brushes
One or more sticks to use as styluses
Combs, including a rake, a nonpareil comb, and a bouquet comb
A drying rack
Waste paper for cleaning the bath
Water for rinsing, if desired

Tuesday, Feb 17th, 7:00 AM EST

Presented by Katethereader | Est. run time 2-3 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Are you an Affinity user wanting to delve deeper into the capabilities of the program to create interesting effects to enhance your typesets? Do you want to typeset non-fiction, with footnotes and an index? How about planners and journals with lined or grid pages? This presentation will show off some things Affinity can do that you may not be aware of. 

This workshop is intended for an Intermediate/Advanced level. 

This workshop is part of a multi-part series.

Friday, Feb 20th, 3:00 PM EST

Presented by Rainchaser | Est. run time 1-2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Experimental edge gilding: Using transfer metal leaf and non-traditional size to gild book edges with minimal fuss, and minimal sanding. No prior experience with edge gilding required, this will introduce all the base concepts for traditional edge gilding apart from how to handle loose leaf. This includes preparing the book edge (with scraper, sandpaper and agate burnisher), applying size, applying and burnishing the leaf, and a discussion of alternatives when the proper tools aren't available.

This workshop is intended for an Experimental/FAAFO level. 

Materials used:

Book to be gilded - Rainchaser will be using a blank notebook
Waste paper - needs to be the same colour as the book block, enough to add at least 5mm padding on either side of the book edge
Transfer metal leaf (e.g. imitation gold, aluminium, copper, etc) - backed with tissue paper, not waxed paper
Kolner Miniatum size (needed for best results, but can use PVA instead if unavailable)
PVA
Water
Bole / dry artist's pigment / gouache - optional
Cold wax medium (blend of beeswax and mineral spirits) - optional
Some form of press that can hold the book vertically - can be as simple as two boards plus woodworking clamps
Agate burnisher or a polished piece of agate or similar (e.g. quartz, tigerseye) - similar to https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1158738016/rose-quartz-tumblestone, needs to be large enough to grip with one fairly flat edge
400 grit sandpaper
Flat 1/2" paintbrush
2nd paintbrush, preferably fairly stiff (to be used dry)
Soft cloth / piece of chamois leather
Scissors
a couple of small containers for mixing pva/water/Miniatum in to make size
Paint scraper - optional

Saturday, Feb 21st, 4:00 PM EST

Presented by Ætherealpress | Est. run time 1-2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

This workshop will teach participants how to handcarve a linocut stamp of their logo for use on stationary, books, and whatever additional purposes they may want to make use of it. The technique is easily applied to handcarved stamps of any image.

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

Participants are advised to have on hand the following materials:

linocutter set (handle and up to 5 blades, available from many art stores including Blick's, Michael's, etc.)
linocut block or pink rubber eraser (available from Blick's, Michael's) — this is the one I recommend: https://www.dickblick.com/products/soft-kut-printing-blocks/
printout of image they want to turn into a stamp, at scale
pencil

Sunday, Feb 22nd, 9:00 AM EST

Presented by Sayornisphoebe | Est. run time 1-2 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Who needs tools? I’ll be making a notebook out of things I found in my personal junk drawer. Join in the fun and make your own!

This workshop is intended for an Experimental/FAAFO level. 

Sunday, Feb 22nd, 3:00 PM EST

Presented by Tiffo (Fanbound Books), Robin (Robin’s Egg Bindery), & Desmothene (Celestial Sphere Press) | Est. run time 1 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Renegade’s annual organizational update.

Join three of the Renegade Bookbinding Guild’s Board members for an update on the happenings of the Org! 2025 was an exciting year for Renegade! We have made a lot of big steps as an organization and we can’t wait to share more about the past year’s events and projects, our growth since 2020, and our goals for the near future.

This workshop is intended for everyone. 

Monday, Feb 23rd, 2:00 PM EST

Presented by Jedifreac | Est. run time 1 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Take a shrink ray to your books! This presentation focuses on miniatures, modifying pre-made book nooks, and easy builds to help you create the bindery of your dreams (in miniature)..Roll up your old scraps of bookcloth and commemorate all of your binds! Learn how to transform photos of your binds to stickers, create miniature book presses, and more! 

This workshop is intended for an Experimental/FAAFO level. 

Wednesday, Feb 25th, 1:00 PM EST

Presented by Katethereader | Est. run time 2-3 hr.

This workshop will be recorded.

Affinity, which is now free, is an excellent program for designing books. You may think it's very complicated, but I will teach how to take a text downloaded from AO3 and easily create a professional book. I walk through all the steps involved in making a clean typeset, using the features of Affinity designed to make creating books easy and slick. I will share my screen as I design the book, and answer questions as they arise. After the class, you will be able to create a book document, with master pages and text styles, insert text, style it and place extras like page numbers, a table of contents, and illustrated chapter opening pages. You will be able to progress further and refer back to the areas covered using my written guide to Affinity 3. No materials are needed by workshop participants, but if you have questions about your own typesets, we can cover some specifics as well in the Q&A.

This workshop is intended for a Fundamentals level. 

This workshop is part of a multi-part series. This is an encore of an earlier workshop.

Friday, Feb 27th, 9:00 PM EST

Presented by six | Est. run time 2 hr.

This workshop will NOT be recorded.

Even if a samurai’s head were to be suddenly cut off, he should still be able to perform one more action with certainty.

- Ghost Dog quote from poster in my living room

The mini imposition was designed pre-COVID, pre-Renegade to be a fool stoner-proof FUN activity. Join me [six] in experiencing it as it was intended – confused, happy, high, and in a hurry... we've gotta' get our minis DONE in under 2 hours!

Tools / Materials can be found on THIS doc – BE PREPARED!! The original name of the game was "Don't Stand Up" - a good number of you have played this before and know how it goes... you ready for hard mode? Pour yourself a drink, inhale something fun, nibble on a Special Treat, or just show up sober style -- all are welcome

[This is a rather high DEX class/craft. We'll be doing a French Link stitch and I'll try to go slow 'n explain things, but also know we have a Deadline. I believe in you. We can get this done if you have all the supplies ready/on hand and are willing to embrace Imperfection]

This workshop is intended for an Experimental/FAAFO level. 

Saturday, Feb 28th, 12am EST Start

Presented by daemonluna

This workshop will NOT be recorded.

Join us in voice chat across all time zones on February 28 for a chance to hang out in solidarity, and have company for those of us trying to get things done right up until the end of February.

This workshop is intended for all levels.