Embroidered Covers

It has been quiet around these parts as I prepare for the upcoming local book launch of Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery and a three week book tour on the east and west coasts of the US.

While I’ve been making travel plans, I’ve also had several big life changes – one that includes moving apartments. The past few days I’ve been minimizing my collection of craft and design books. After a decade working as a graphic designer, I have boxes of event posters, old offset printing guides, paper samplers, and old sketchbooks to dispose of. Sorting through these things has led me to think of the marriage between stitching and graphics as it was a stitched lettering book that inspired me to write the book proposal for Hoopla.

I’ve been seeing more and more stitched design work as of late, which makes me extremely happy. Here are a few things that have caught my eye:

Jillian Tamaki‘s whimsical book covers for the Penguin Threads Deluxe Classics editions of Black Beauty, The Secret Garden, and Emma.

Each of the covers has a wrap around design and french flaps which are really beautifully done.

Inge Jacobsen’s hand-stitched, reversible Vogue cover:

Olympia Le-Tan’s replica book covers on handbags are just stunning. See the whole gallery of her work here.

and, the delicious type work illustration of Maricor & Maricar in ESPN magazine.

I hope this is just the beginning of many more embroidery and design collaborations.