Hit 200 hand-sewn bindings last night and I don't get the hype.

I kept hearing how hand-sewing is the only way to make a book that lasts. But around binding 180 I realized my machine-sewn books from 5 years ago are holding up just as well. The stitches are tighter and more consistent on my Singer and none of them have come loose. I get that hand-sewing looks cool and all, but is anyone else finding the durability difference is way overblown? What's your take on how much it actually matters for a book that sits on a shelf.

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jason75223h ago

Oh man, I'm totally with you on this. I've got a pile of machine-sewn books that have been through camping trips and coffee spills and they're still holding up better than some of my hand-sewn ones. It honestly feels like one of those things people say to sound like a purist but the real world difference is basically nothing.