Join Claudia Squio (of ColorWay Arts) and Ali Manning (of Vintage Page Designs) for a special collaborative workshop bringing together the sister crafts of
CARTONNAGE and BOOKBINDING.
When: November 5–9, 2026
Where: Online
Two LIVE Zoom gatherings + complete tutorials with
DIY Kit included for US participants
Can't attend live? Both gatherings will be recorded and available inside the workshop (lifetime access).
For years, Claudia has said that cartonnage and bookbinding are sister crafts. Both begin with simple materials — paper, board, fabric, glue and transform them into something beautiful, useful, and uniquely handmade.
And now, we're finally bringing these two crafts together!
During The Handmade Fabric Desktop Library Workshop, Claudia will guide you through creating a beautiful Desk Bookshelf using the cartonnage technique, while Ali will teach you how to create a handmade book designed to live beautifully on your new shelf.
And that's only the beginning. We'll also share inspiration for creating more books and covers to fill your little handmade library.
What you will make:
Create a sturdy, fabric-covered desk bookshelf using the no-sew cartonnage technique.
Your DIY kit includes the pre-cut boards needed to create the structure, so you can concentrate on the fun part —
choosing your fabrics, gluing, and watching your bookshelf come together.
Learn the art of handmade bookbinding as Ali guides you step-by-step through creating a beautiful book for your new bookshelf.
You will learn how to make the "Long Stitch Link Stitch" in three ways! Lots of fun!
Thursday-Monday (lifetime access afterwards)
NOVEMBER, 05
2PM (EDT)
Let's Get Started!
LIVE Zoom with Claudia + Ali - 2pm (EDT)
Meet us live as we open the workshop, introduce both creations, talk about materials, answer questions, and get ready for a wonderful few days of making.
NOVEMBER, 05-09
Take your time and make the projects on your pace/time.
All tutorials will be waiting for you inside the workshop course.
NOVEMBER, 09
2PM (EDT)
Let's Celebrate!
LIVE Zoom with Claudia + Ali - 2 pm (EDT)
Come back together with your creations, questions and discoveries. We'll share inspiration, answer questions and celebrate our new handmade libraries!
Can't attend live? Both gatherings will be recorded and available inside the workshop.
Thursday-Monday (lifetime access afterwards)
NOVEMBER, 05
NOVEMBER 05 - 2pm (EDT)
Let's Get Started!
LIVE Zoom with Claudia + Ali - 1pm?
Meet us live as we open the workshop, introduce both creations, talk about materials, answer questions, and get ready for a wonderful few days of making.
NOVEMBER, 06-08
NOVEMBER 05 - 09
Take your time and make the projects on your pace/time.
All tutorials will be waiting for you inside the workshop course.
NOVEMBER, 09
NOVEMBER 09 - 2pm (EDT)
Let's Celebrate!
LIVE Zoom with Claudia + Ali - 1pm?
Come back together with your creations, questions and discoveries. We'll share inspiration, answer questions and celebrate our new handmade libraries!
Can't attend live? Both gatherings will be recorded and available inside the workshop.
Desktop Bookshelf DIY Kit from ColorWay Arts (US registrations)
Not from US? Contact us for special registration.
Complete Desktop Bookshelf tutorial with Claudia
Complete handmade book tutorial with Ali
Two LIVE Zoom gatherings
Dimensions/ templates and some quick written guides to follow along the video tutorials
Online Course for you to keep as reference for lifetime
Lots of fun gluing and creating!
ColorWay Arts
support staff during and after the event
Claudia Squio is a craft designer, teacher, and entrepreneur who helps craft lovers create meaningful, memorable gifts through Cartonnage - the art of box making. Each handmade piece is intentionally crafted from favorite fabrics without sewing. They are gifts made from the heart that carry memories, roots, and legacy. She is the author of the book Cartonnage Basics & Beyond – the complete guide for fabric box making. With her company, ColorWay Arts, she makes the creative process fun, relaxing, and deeply fulfilling through her DIY kits and easy-to-follow tutorials, online school and local classes and global community.
Ali Manning is a book artist, teacher, and founder of The Handmade Book Club, an online bookbinding membership with thousands of members around the world. Since 2007, she has shared her love of handmade books through teaching, blogging, original artwork, an online shop, and a handmade-paper subscription. Her work makes bookbinding more approachable by simplifying traditional processes and using accessible materials. It has been featured in Somerset Studio, Take Ten, Paper Crafts Magazine, and Cloth, Paper, Scissors. Originally from England, she now lives in Groton, Massachusetts.
PRICE INCLUDES:
DIY KIT (shipping not included);
Access to 2 LIVE meetings and
Lifetime access to the recorded tutorials
If you belong to one of our Clubs - you get 15% off:
Cartonnage Club members: your discount will be automaticaly added to the order.
Handmade Book Club member: Use the special code provided in Ali's email at checkout
Non-US resident? Contact us to register without a DIY kit.
New to Cartonnage and/or Bookbinding?
You don't have to be experienced in both crafts to join us.
If you're a bookbinder who has never tried cartonnage, welcome!
If you're a cartonnage lover who has never made a handmade book, welcome!
And if both techniques are new to you, you're welcome too.
We'll guide you through each creation step-by-step.
What you will need?
For your Desktop Bookshelf:
Your ColorWay Arts kit provides: pre-cut chipboard, poster board and metal knob and book covers for 1 book
You'll provide: Your favorite fabrics, Elmer's Glue All and basic cartonnage and gluing tools
For your Handmade Books: Ali will provide the complete materials list before the workshop starts.
You'll need: papers, thread, needle
