Ethiopian Binding IN-PERSON workshop. Chicago area.
November 12-13, 2025 | Two all-day, in-person sessions.
9:30 am-5:30 pm
Registration deadline October 30.
Two spaces remaining.
The Ethiopian binding structure may have emerged as early as the fourth century and has been in use unchanged for centuries. This humble, elegant binding opens flat and is the inspiration for many contemporary “Coptic” book arts structures. Characteristics include wood boards trimmed flush with the text block, paired sewing stations, and chain stitch-sewing that enters the board edge to incorporate board attachment. Historically the text blocks were made of parchment. Any covering would be done with goatskin. If the boards were to be left uncovered, no endband was added. If the boards were partially or fully covered in leather, braided leather endbands were sewn on after covering.
In this workshop, students will make a full-leather binding with braided leather endbands and cloth board linings. We will begin by folding and punching sections, and drilling holes into wood boards. Simple tooling will enhance the finished binding.
This workshop requires a Dremel or drill and a 1/4" chisel.
This is a fast-paced intermediate-level workshop. Prerequisites: Binding Fundamentals or equivalent. Students should be making sewn books independently, outside a workshop setting.
This is an in-person workshop. Details on travel, lodging, and working in the studio in FAQs
Ethiopian Binding IN-PERSON workshop. Chicago area.
November 12-13, 2025 | Two all-day, in-person sessions.
9:30 am-5:30 pm
Registration deadline October 30.
Two spaces remaining.
The Ethiopian binding structure may have emerged as early as the fourth century and has been in use unchanged for centuries. This humble, elegant binding opens flat and is the inspiration for many contemporary “Coptic” book arts structures. Characteristics include wood boards trimmed flush with the text block, paired sewing stations, and chain stitch-sewing that enters the board edge to incorporate board attachment. Historically the text blocks were made of parchment. Any covering would be done with goatskin. If the boards were to be left uncovered, no endband was added. If the boards were partially or fully covered in leather, braided leather endbands were sewn on after covering.
In this workshop, students will make a full-leather binding with braided leather endbands and cloth board linings. We will begin by folding and punching sections, and drilling holes into wood boards. Simple tooling will enhance the finished binding.
This workshop requires a Dremel or drill and a 1/4" chisel.
This is a fast-paced intermediate-level workshop. Prerequisites: Binding Fundamentals or equivalent. Students should be making sewn books independently, outside a workshop setting.
This is an in-person workshop. Details on travel, lodging, and working in the studio in FAQs
