What it's all about

THE STORY 

My name is Astere Justine Haile and I make all the pillow covers for House North of Addis. So what started it all? I visited Ethiopia, my father’s country, for the first time in 2012. Ever since, I’ve been dreaming of showing the world the beauty of its amazing textiles and of enhancing the lives of the many artisans who keep ancestral weaving traditions alive. I wasn’t sure just how to do that until I started sewing pillow covers out of ‘gabis’, those traditional handmade cotton blankets used to keep us warm in high mountain altitudes. By partnering with people who care about artisans and deal with them in a fair trade and ethical fashion, I’m hoping to bring a bit of Ethiopian beauty into homes while supporting traditional weavers. 

THE PROCESS 

Every House North of Addis product is made in Montreal, Canada by myself. Once I receive the fabric from Ethiopia, I cut it into pillow patterns and I line them with 50/50 poly/cotton Percale. From the sewing to the cutting, and from the packaging to the shipping, I do it all. The end result is a piece of Ethiopia and Canada, which is a bit like me in some ways! Above all, all of the House North of Addis products are ethical and hand made with love. From Ethiopia to Canada, and from my home to yours! Don’t forget to visit the blog!