Developed by early Christian communities in Egypt, the Coptic stitch is one of the oldest and most beautiful methods of bookbinding. Known for its visible spine, lay-flat design, and durable structure, this technique offers both historical depth and creative freedom.

In this culminating workshop of the ScribeCraft series, participants will learn to assemble folded signatures, prepare covers, and sew them together using a classic Coptic chain stitch. The result is a hand-bound book ideal for journaling, sketching, or gifting—crafted entirely by the participant from cover to cover.

Highlights:

• The history of Coptic binding and its cultural origins
• How to fold, nest, and prepare signatures
• Cover preparation and hole alignment
• The Coptic stitch technique and how to maintain tension
• Optional embellishment ideas for covers and endpages

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Questions?  Write to beth@vanderbiltmuseum.org