Join our full-day workshop and learn how to craft your very own Coptic stitch journal! This workshop offers a fun and creative way to spend your day, where you'll master the art of Coptic stitching—a beautiful and ancient bookbinding technique. By the end of the session, you'll have a handcrafted journal to call your own. It's a perfect opportunity to pick up a new skill and create something truly unique.
GATHER is a fantastic craft shop and workshop space in Kildare town. It's a co-operative initiative between the Kildare Local Enterprise Office and Kildare-based artists and makers, and stocks a range of local, handmade and designed items. It is staffed by the makers themselves, a perfect opportunity to learn more about the creator of your new favourite item and discover how the item was made. SQUUSHED is stocked in GATHER so be sure to check it out!
GATHER is located in the centre of Kildare town in market square, and is surrounded by fabulous eateries such as Firecastle, Hartes, and Agape. Kildare Village is only a 10 minute walk from the venue, not to be missed!
I wouldn't consider myself 'crafty'. Amanda was reassuring, patient and helpful. She brought all the materials and guided me through all the steps of bookbinding. Thoroughly recommend! I had fun!
A five star experience
Thank you for your lovely review! We love helping people discover their crafty side and we're so glad you had fun. Your book turned out beautifully!
I had the absolute pleasure of attending this workshop last weekend. It was such a fun day of learning new stitches and making our own notebooks. Amanda from Squushed had a wide range of papers and cover sheets to choose from, and it meant that each notebook made was very personal and one of a kind. There was a great deal of deliberation over paper choice, colours and pattern and Amanda encouraged us to be selective and creative making the whole experience enjoyable. This workshop was a gift from my friend, and what a gift, not only good memories made but heading home with my new lovely notebook 😊
We are so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time at our Coptic stitch bookbinding workshop. It was a pleasure having you and we are glad that you enjoyed learning new stitches and creating your own unique notebooks. We love seeing our participants explore their creativity! Thank you for your kind words and we hope to see you again at one of our future workshops!
I recently attended a Coptic book binding workshop, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The workshop was incredibly well-organized and informative.
The instructor was not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the art of Coptic binding.
The materials provided were of high quality, ensuring that our finished products were both beautiful and durable. We were given a variety of cover papers, threads, and tools to work with, allowing for a lot of creative freedom.
We even got to make a little pamphlet stitch notebook. It was a pleasure to connect with fellow participants and admire each other's work.
I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in bookbinding or looking to try something new and creative.
Thank you Amanda from Squushed for a fantastic day ❤️
Thank you N for that fantastic review! Delighted you enjoyed the day, and your finished journal is just beautiful. It was a pleasure to see your creativity and joy working with the different papers! ❤️
The most beautiful picture I’ve ever received. I’m obsessed 😍😍 100% recommend squushed ! Very talented 💖
Thank you so much for your lovely review! I'm glad you love your new picture and thanks for your recommendation! ❤️
-- Amanda
As part of our 2025 local culture festival in Donabate Portrane north county Dublin, Amanda ran two workshops for us - chain stitch notebook making and lampshade making. Everything was provided and the workshops were very well recieved by all participants. The workshops were wonderfully relaxed, friendly, and enjoyable. Everything we needed was thoughtfully prepared and ready to use. Her deep knowledge of both crafts shone through - not only did she explain each step clearly, but she also shared other hints and tips . Both workshops were fantastic experiences from start to finish. Participants went home with beautifully self-crafted pieces and were delighted to have learned a new skill.
From the perspective of a festival organiser; Amanda was very professional and a pleasure to deal with. I would have no hesitation in providing a recommendation for Amanda and her workshops. We will definitley welcome her to Donabate Portrane again!
Hi Ann,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We were delighted to take part in the Bleeding Pig Festival, and thouroughly enjoyed running the lampshade making and bookbinding workshops. Seeing people's creations come to life is always a joy, and we love when people learn a new skill and also take something home with them that they made themselves. Thank you for including us in your festival schedule, and we hope to work with you again in the future!
Amanda
Purchased the most beautiful hand made lamp shade from Amanda in Squushed. Stunning quality and amazing service 💕
Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted you love your new lampshade
Went to a market and came across Sguushed, wow wow wow so much beautiful stuff. I purchased a beautiful hand made lamp shade the quality so beautiful. I love it so much I booked myself into a workshop for making lamp shades, I can't wait. Thanks Amanda looking forward to my experience.
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted you like your new lampshade, and looking forward to welcoming you at our lampshade making workshop!