Next meeting: Saturday, July 12, 2025

Different Location:
on Baylor University campus in the
Jones Library (details below) 

 
Our History of Printing
Our July 12 meeting and program will be held at the Baylor Book Arts & Letterpress Lab. Guild members Sha Towers and Jeanne Dittmann will be our presenters for the day. We will gather at Jones Library on the Baylor University campus at 10 am for a short meeting, then the morning program will cover some of the history of printing, including an opportunity to illuminate your own page from the Gutenberg Bible (all supplies provided). While there isn’t room for everyone to be in the lab at once, all will have an opportunity to walk through the space to get a sense of what we’ve been up to.

Parking is available in front of the Wiethorn Building and the School of Engineering and Computer Science (Google link here), and slightly closer, there are a couple of handicapped spaces in front of the McCrary Music Building (Google link here). Both are a short walk to the entrance of Jones Library. We will meet right inside Jones Library and direct you to the classroom where will meet in the morning.

Afternoon workshop for hands-on printing time

The afternoon workshop is limited to the first 10 people who sign up and pay for the workshop ($75 total: $25 for the guild and another $50 for the Baylor lab fee); make checks to Waco Calligraphy Guild. We will meet from 1-4 pm in the Jones Library, and you will have the opportunity for hands-on experiences with both typesetting and printing.

Online Registration Form for Baylor Letterpress Workshop

TO REGISTER: Use this Google link.  https://forms.gle/dQNAuFK89VhaYstJ8 No paper copy needed! 

Pay via PayPal at this link.  https://paypal.me/WacoCalligraphy?locale.x=en_US   Click the link, log into your account, enter the amount ($75), and add “Baylor Letterpress Workshop,” then complete the transaction. 

Any questions please contact, Jeanne Dittmann at lettersalot@gmail.com.

Next meeting: Saturday, June 14, 2025

Pamphlet Stitch:
But Make It Fancy
with Rachel Mims

In June for the morning free program, Rachel will teach us to make a 5”x 7” handmade journal with 3 signatures using an assortment of plain and printed papers. The binding will be an easy pamphlet stitch. For those wanting more on bookbinding, Rachel will teach us a different binding in the afternoon workshop; see below for those details.

MORNING SUPPLIES:

Supplies to bring:

         Pencil, eraser

         Scissors, or X-Acto knife and cutting mat

         12” metal ruler

         18 Papers cut to 7x10 (plain, colored, printed, book papers, etc.) (Rachel will bring some papers)

Optional Supplies:

         paper trimmer for faster trimming

Only if you already have these:

         Bookbinding awl

         Bone folder (optional) or use a pencil

         Book binding needles

Supplies provided:

         Some extra 7x10 pieces of paper for the signatures

         cereal box cardboard for cover 7 ½ x 11 ¼

         book binding waxed thread in many colors

         a few bookbinding awls

         bookbinding needles

June 14 Afternoon Workshop:  
French Link Binding 
with Rachel Mims 

After lunch Rachel will continue to wow us with another fun binding that has 4 signatures (16 flat sheets). From 1:30 to 4:30; $25 fee for members, $35 non-members. Use registration link below to sign up. Please register by the Wednesday before the meeting so we have enough supplies. We will use the same tools as in the morning; we will just need more paper for this second book.

AFTERNOON SUPPLY LIST:
Same tools as morning, plus please bring:

         Inside pages: 16 sheets cut to 10x7  (Rachel will bring some papers)

         Cover: 2 pieces of printed/painted/colored/patterned heavier paper (that can be folded) for the cover, cut to 10x7 (or use the mixed media paper Rachel provides)

         Ribbons (optional) about 1” x 12-14” (see photo above)

         Glue stick

Online Registration Form for Rachel’s Bookbinding Workshop   
Please register no later than: Wed., June 11^th:

TO REGISTER:  Use this link for the Google form. No paper copy needed! 

Pay via PayPal at this link.  https://paypal.me/WacoCalligraphy?locale.x=en_US   Click the link, log into your account, enter the amount ($25 or $35), and add “Rachel’s Book Workshop,” then complete the transaction. 

 

 

Next meeting: Saturday May 10, 2025

Basics of Calligraphy 

Our lettering system today started with the pictographs and evolved into several types of letterforms around the world. From there, humans altered the letters to be more attractive, or condensed, or artistic. But they all have some basics to start with. Paul Herrera, VP of the guild this year, will give us a quick look at the development of letterforms starting with the pictographs, just to give a bit of historical depth to what we do. Paul will provide handouts, including pages of calligraphy terms and definitions. He will answer our questions on anything that needs further explanation. He will go into a detailed explanation of spacing (letters and words). Everyone should be prepared to do some writing with a broad edged pen of their choosing.
Supply list: unlined paper, pencil/eraser, broad edge tool (Zig marker), ruler. 

Afternoon session from 1:30 -3:30 pm: To get some more hands-on time we will continue Paul’s presentation with more like actually drawing guidelines for broad-edge nibs. We will go further into the terms and definitions where you will draw and label examples. To start our new year, this will be a free session for members who want to the review some basics … No registration or fee is required (this time only). Supplies: Same as above.

Next meeting: Saturday, April 12, 2025

Meeting at
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 800 N. New Road, Waco
10 am start
(meeting in back Sunday School room)

 SECRET PALs TO BE REVEALED

Wonder what’s under all those pretty wraps? After 3 months of sending mail, delivering packages, and guessing, the time has come to find out who’s behind all those secrets. The April program is devoted to revealing who’s been sending secrets to whom.

To the 13 people who are participating in this oh-so-fun exchange, please be sure to bring everything you have received, including the wrapping to show off and explain (empty candy wrappers OK!). Also, be sure to create a “Thank you” card to give to the person who sent goodies to you. Judy Steward will allow about three minutes for you to explain the items you received. If you are unable to attend on the 12^th, please arrange for another member to bring your items to present to the group, and be sure to include a thank you card for your pal. For those who did not participate, enjoy the eye candy and wealth of ideas!

ZINES CHALLENGE delayed until May: After the March program on making Zines, someone asked about a challenge to make a zine and bring it. Thinking that sounded like a good idea, we made it a thing to do. Make one and show it off in May!