Ethiopian Binding

This assignment explored the traditional structure of Ethiopian binding, a method rooted in early Ethiopian manuscript like traditions. Unlike usual adhesive-bound Western books, Ethiopian bindings rely on exposed chain stitches across the multiple sections of folios, creating a flexible structure that allows our book to open flat while making the sewing both functional and visually very pretty. Through constructing different versions of this binding, I understood how the placement of each station and consistency of stitching effected both the durability and appearance of the book.

The process let me appreciate this bookbinding as a discipline, it was hard. Even when it became challenging, I learned that inaccuracies in measuring, use of the awl or just sewing can impact the structure and how the book moves. Looking across each project, I can clearly see growth in our technical skill, patience and attention to detail in this course, it is actually crazy.