Southwestern Ontario Chapter

The Southwestern Ontario Chapter welcomes anyone residing in the region who is interested in learning about bookbinding and related book arts. The chapter offers workshops in-person and online along with a Tool Lending Library for members to borrow from. 

All current members of CBBAG who reside in southwestern Ontario (postal codes starting with N) automatically become members of the CBBAG Southwestern Ontario Chapter. Please note that SWO chapter does not include the GTA. Others may join the Chapter mailing list by expressing interest (no fee for Chapter membership).

Contact us at cbbag.swochapter@gmail.com or visit us us on Facebook or Instagram.

President: Arielle VanderSchans
Vice-President: Tim Dyck
Secretary: Rhiannon Allen-Roberts
Treasurer: Mirela Parau

Upcoming Events and Workshops

Bookbinding 2 (Durham, ON) - October 18-20, 25-27 

Introduction to Leather (London, ON) - October 25, 26

Bookbinding 3 (London, ON) - November 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23*

SWO Chapter Annual Meeting (London, Ontario) - November 15

*Registration forthcoming

Past Events and Workshops

Summer Social BBQ (New Dundee, ON) -  August 9
Indigo Dyed Papers (London, ON) - July  26-27
Paste Papers (London, ON) - July 19-20
Repair & Restoration Part 2 (London, ON) - June 7, 8, 14, 15, 16
Join Our Club (London, ON) - May 24
BiblioArts 2025 (Owen Sound, ON) - May 17
Bookbinding 1 (London, ON) - May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
Wayzgoose (Grimsby, ON) - April 26
Bookbinding 1 (Durham, ON) - April 5-7 & 12-14
Boxes & Protective Enclosures (London, ON)  - March 2025
Repair & Restoration Part 1 (London, ON) - February 2025 
Kindred Spirits Western University Launch - January 2025
Book-by-mail workshop (London, ON)- January 2025






Bookbinding 2

Bookbinding II includes recessed cord lap stitch sewing, invisible and visible hinges, hooked endpapers, simple edge treatments, the traditional two stripe end band, rounding and backing, hollow tube and Bradel attachment of boards to text block, as well as the concepts of the natural shoulder and expansion and contraction.

Dates: 6 days running October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: The Colour Jar, 120 Garafraxa St. N., Durham, ON, N0G 1R0

Prerequisites: Bookbinding I and current membership in CBBAG

Cost: $495 + $50 material fee

Registration Deadline: October 10, 2025, to register or for more information, visit: Registration Form


Introduction to Leather

This is a prerequisite for Bookbinding III. The workshop is a comprehensive introduction to the different types of leather and explores a variety of paring techniques used in bookbinding.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dates: 2 days; October 25 and 26
Location: London, Ontario
Prerequisites: Current membership in CBBAG (if you aren't a member please fill in the membership application form), Bookbinding 1 and, Bookbinding 2

Cost: $160
Materials Fee: $10 + cost of leather (approximately $55 to $100; students can purchase a 1/4 or 1/2 of a Moroccan skin + a piece of split cowhide. 1/2 skin is advisable if going on to BB3) payable to Dan Mezza by cash or cheque the first day.

Registration Deadline: October 17, 2025. For more information and registration, please view the registration form.





We want to hear from you!

Are you a chapter member? Or do you live in Ontario and are looking to do courses in the Southwestern Ontario region? 

Fill in our workshop survey! 

This short 5 minute survey allows us to see what courses are in-demand and helps determine what we will offer next year. 

2026 Workshop Survey


Interested in Bookbinding Courses?

Email us at cbbag.swochapter@gmail.com to let us know what you're interested in taking!


Local Suppliers

Bijan's Art Studio (London, ON) offers art supplies

Colour Jar (Durham, ON) offers bookbinding supplies

Columbia Finishing Mills (Cornwall, ON) specializes in bookboard, bookcloth, cover paper, end papers

George Hill & Co (Milton, ON) offers bookbinding tools and supplies

Lee Valley Tools (London, ON) offers chisels, punching, woodworking and leather tools

Papertrail (New Dundee, ON) offers papermaking supplies and some bookbinding supplies

Local Bookbinders

Book and Paper Conservation (London, ON)

Dan Mezza Book Binding (London, ON)

  • Bookbinding and book repairs/restoration
  • 519-434-0964

Miller Bookbinding (Waterloo, ON)

Colour Jar (Durham, ON)


All imagery on this website is copyright and protected by international law. Content cannot be copied, published, distributed, downloaded, or otherwise stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or converted, in any form or by any means, electronic, or otherwise without prior written permission from the copyright owner. Please contact CBBAG's web administrator for more information on contacting the copyright owner.

Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG)

Charitable Business Number 89179 5445 RR0001


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software