Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
- 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Long-Stitch Bookbinding With Anneka Baird in La Crosse
Long-stitch binding gives the book’s spine a visible role in its design, as well as holding its pages together. At this Driftless Folk School workshop, participants explore how the structure works by considering paper, practicing folds and cuts, and binding a book.
A binding built to be used—and seen
The class traces long-stitch binding to at least the 14th century. It has served both as a finished binding and as a temporary structure for books intended for more elaborate, costly treatment.
Its multi-section construction can accommodate many pages. The spine also offers a place for decoration, making the method applicable to practical notebooks, journals and sketchbooks as well as artists’ books. That combination of function and visible construction gives students a way to think about a book as both a usable object and a designed one.
Further reading: Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗
Paper choices are part of the craft
During the morning, students learn basic bookbinding terms and consider paper quality, paper structure and how a choice of paper affects its use. They also practice folding and cutting as they bind a book; making a second is possible only if time allows.
The Folk School presents the class as appropriate for first-time bookbinders. Instructor Anneka Baird is a master craftswoman based in Wisconsin’s Driftless region and holds an MFA from the University of Iowa Center for the Book. Her work and teaching focus on practical knowledge of how everyday technologies are made and used.
Further reading: Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗
A distinct binding class follows in the afternoon
The Folk School also lists Anneka Baird’s Coptic Bookbinding: the Original Codex at the same venue from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 20. It is a separate class, not an extension of the morning booking.
The school describes Coptic binding as a form developed by Egyptian Copts in the second century A.D. and the earliest known true codex. Its multi-section construction uses no adhesive: sewing remains visible along the spine in a chain-stitch pattern. The books lie flat when opened, a useful quality for writing and for journals or notebooks. That afternoon class includes a brief introduction to material choices, and each participant binds a book to take home.
People who preregister for both classes are offered a lunch catered by the People’s Food Co-op deli. The afternoon class has its own registration; check its booking listing before planning to attend, as its availability is not confirmed here.
Further reading: Coptic Bookbinding: the Original Codex, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗
One morning workshop, with a separate afternoon class
The scheduled event is the 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. long-stitch class. Baird’s afternoon Coptic Bookbinding class is a separate offering with its own registration.
Friday, November 20, 2026 · People's Food Co-op
- Long-stitch Bookbinding class with Anneka Baird: participants learn bookbinding basics and paper techniques and make a book; a second book is possible if time permits.
Booking and class details
The morning class was listed as fully booked
The booking page showed the Nov. 20 morning session as fully booked when checked on Nov. 2, 2026. The Folk School FAQ recommends joining a waiting list when a class is full, but it does not confirm a waitlist for this particular session. Ask the registrar whether one is available: [email protected] or 608-284-8524.
Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗ · FAQ — Driftless Folk School ↗
Friday morning at the Co-op
Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST. The class is at People’s Food Co-op, 315 5th Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗
Three sliding-scale totals, materials included
The morning booking listed a $65 Supported ticket, an $80 Sustainer ticket and a $95 Supporter ticket. Each total includes the $25 materials fee; the course portion is $40, $55 or $70, respectively. The Folk School suggests the Supported level for people with limited resources, the Sustainer level for those who budget for classes and other discretionary spending, and the Supporter level for people with greater financial flexibility.
Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗
For ages 12 and older; tools are supplied
The workshop is indoors, and the school provides all tools. Bringing a water bottle, snacks or something for taking notes is optional.
Getting to the class
People’s Food Co-op
The event listing gives the destination as People’s Food Co-op, 315 5th Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601. The booking page includes a map link that can help calculate directions from your starting point.
The class information does not specify parking, transit, the event entrance or accessibility details. Contact the Driftless Folk School registrar at [email protected] or 608-284-8524 with arrival or access questions.
Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗
Before you make a plan
Is the long-stitch class suitable for a beginner?
Yes. The Folk School describes it as a good option for first-time bookbinders. It is for ages 12 and older.
Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗
What does the ticket cover?
The listed $65, $80 and $95 ticket options include the $25 materials fee. The booking page showed the morning class as fully booked on Nov. 2, 2026.
Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗
Can I join a waitlist for the full class?
The Folk School FAQ recommends joining a waitlist when a class is full, but the supplied information does not confirm one for this date. Ask the registrar at 608-284-8524 or [email protected].
FAQ — Driftless Folk School ↗ · Long-stitch Bookbinding: the Medieval Paperback, with Anneka Baird - Booking by Bookwhen ↗
Can I take the Coptic binding class afterward?
The school lists a separate 1–4:30 p.m. Coptic Bookbinding class at the same venue. It requires separate registration; preregistered students taking both classes are offered lunch from the Co-op deli. Check the afternoon listing for availability.
Coptic Bookbinding: the Original Codex, with Anneka Baird — Driftless Folk School ↗
Location & Google Maps
People's Food Co-op
315 5th Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.