#stabbound

During my residency at Don Bank, I had the opportunity to host two workshops at Stanton Library in North Sydney. I was very excited; I had facilitated similar workshops elsewhere but never within my own local community. Meeting participants was deeply rewarding, and as someone who migrated to Australia as an adult, the experience was especially meaningful. It made me feel genuinely connected to the local community as a writer.

The first workshop, a haiku workshop, was held in November 2025, followed by a Japanese stab-bound zine workshop in January 2026. When planning these workshops, I wanted to create something that would endure beyond the events themselves—a lasting record of both occasions. This led me to the idea of producing a haiku zine that combined elements from both workshops.

In the first workshop, participants learned the basic rules of haiku and brainstormed original seasonal words suited to a Sydney November. They then wrote their own haiku and shared them with the group, resulting in many striking pieces that captured the feeling of Sydney’s early summer. At my request, 15 participants agreed to submit their completed haiku for inclusion in a stab-bound zine created during the second workshop.

In the second workshop, participants learned the kokitoji binding technique and created their own stab-bound zines. Some produced original zines using materials they had brought from home, while others made colourful notebooks. Stitching the distinctive kokitoji patterns with needle and thread created an atmosphere that was both challenging and relaxing. One participant remarked that working with their hands was deeply calming—a sentiment I shared. I’ve always found that focusing on handwork and creating something tangible helps to settle my mind.