A Beginner’s Bindery in a Hide-Away Box

“When I started bookbinding, I always felt limited by the tools I had. 30 years later I have all the best tools imaginable. Yet the bench where I make DAS Bookbinding videos is tiny and 90% of what I do is done with the tools hanging on a small wall area. I could easily have bought these tools 30 years ago. I just didn’t know what to buy and how to use them.”

To a hobbyist or beginner, starting out in bookbinding may seem intimidating–so much to learn, and so many tools. But Darryn Schneider of DAS Bookbinding wants to reassure the beginner that creating a bookbinding practice needn’t be scary. “I want new bookbinders focused on learning new skills, making books they are proud of, and having fun. I don’t want people feeling frustrated because they couldn’t make something for lack of a tool or material, or even a well-organized workspace.” In this lecture Darryn–whose popular tutorials on YouTube include how-tos on bindings, tools, and materials–will share a set of tools and basic materials for the beginning bookbinder, as well as some tricks and tips for workspace optimization. You can fit everything you need into a box–Darryn will show you how.

For 30 years Darryn Schneider has been a hobbyist bookbinder. His YouTube channel, Adventures in Bookbinding, has over 57,000 subscribers.