Need your help. Book Idea’s….
I think I want to write a book. A craft book to be more specific. But, here’s the thing, I don’t know what kind of craft book.
Here is what I think I am good at:
Designing. I think that I am pretty ok with designing embroidery and quilt patterns.
Choosing colors. It took a long time, but I got a handle on it.
Finding a simple, none fussy way to create quilt and fabric art. This includes how to design, compose and choose colors.
What I am not good at:
Sewing projects like purses, pillow cases and potholders.
Creating projects in general.
Ugh, I need help. Let me know what you would want from me.
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Frankly, your first two points of what you are good at are things that I fail at, and I know a lot of people struggle too. There are a million billion books about potholders (or whatever) but I would love a book that was non threatening and not too technical that dealt with colours choice. I know there is stuff out there, but it all seems to be super professional. What about for people who just want to put two pieces of fabric together?
And simple non fussy ways for anything are always great! I’ve been sensing a trend towards books more along the lines of guidlines and encouragements rather than martha-like tutorials. As in, the reader bring their own ideas and the book helps them get over the first few steps and make it their own thing.
Does any of that even make sense? Just my 2c… Also, eeeee that sad elephant!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I agree with kate! There are too many “martha-wannabe’s” out there. Most of us are looking for simple things we CAN do. I’m always fussing about there’s not enough books on embroidery designs (and if there are, where the heck are they?)
I know I have a hard time with color selection and I’m sure others do too!
Good luck! And I’ll be one of the first ones in line for a copy!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
To be honest I come to this site for inspiration! Your designs and your colors are really inspiring. I love the designs you come up with and they inspire me to try to make my drawings into embroidery patterns but I’m sort of not sure how to really get moving on it.
If you wrote a book on points one and two would be amazing. You are great at designing and would love to get some insight. I think a book that is more about inspiring the reader than about how to do little crafts would be amazing and on my bookshelf!
I wish you luck and can’t wait to see how this turns out!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I love your embroidery designs- especially the fantastic seasonal designs! What about a season-by-season or month-by-month book with embroidery patterns, color selection tips and projects you can make with your embroidery (like an embroidered stocking for Xmas or embroidered picnic napkins for summer?) I’m looking forwards to whatever you create!
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I have to agree your embroidery designs are really fun and it would be awesome to see a book filled with them. I know I have seen some books that also have projects too but I think you have amazing quilts and that you should incorporate your love of history and hand stitching with pictures of your quilts and embroidery patterns. Because there are books with cutesy projects but your quilts are really pieces of art and with a book you can show people how to make their own piece of embroidery or quilt art.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:42 am
I love your website, and your work. I agree that there are so many books out there, and I tend to love craft books that are inspirational and give advice about their inspiration and on how to design, over those that just give you projects to do.
Quilting especially, would love to be able to design my own stuff, in the wonderful non-traditional abstract ways you do.
On a really silly pedantic note, if you’re going to write a book, make sure you get a good proof reader who understands the use of apostrophes. (Idea’s in your title should be ideas– no possessive apostrophe)
Good luck!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:59 am
I would love to see an in-depth process of the quilts, and I think that would have to include at least a little bit of the first two items as well. I’m all excited now… you’ve been one of my favorite artists for a long time, I’m so glad you’re considering a book!
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 am
As the other responders stated, your asthetic is what we are drawn to, the other stuff…you can collaborate with someone who is good at that part. In knitting where books are so common, the self-publishing is really taking off. They use test knitters, so you can use test whatever’s. Good luck to you!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 am
Ok, Andrea, that’s a great idea! I think it would be (for me, anyways) best if it was like a view into your creative brain, where you get your ideas, how you work past a creative block…..a guide, more than step-by-step projects to recreate exactly. And if it was filled with lots of close-up photos of your work, readers would be drooling. (I do love to see photos of things in process, unfinished, or with changes that get ripped out later, too). One thing, though, that I’ve never been a fan of in most quilting books, is the standard dry chapter on the principles of design and the color wheel. I think you did a much better job explaing that in person in our art quilting class, so I would love to see how that translates into a written explanation. Oooh, exciting!
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 am
I am a stitcher and quilter and would love to see your book use those elements to create easy art quilts. Art quilts are intimidating and the processes of special effects always look too complicated. Also, I think your characters are wonderful and would definitely like to suggest childrens books.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:24 am
I would love to have a book by you on making small art quilts. With lots of embroidery and applique. There are already enough books and patterns on purses, etc. If somebody really wanted to make that, then they could use your book as a jumping off point. I think your embroidery designs would translate into a book the best. Fun! Can’t wait to see what you do!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I love your illustrations and embroidery designs. So, that is the direction I’d push you in. There are so many sewing project type books already, but not so much with the quirky embroidery. I’d suggest a book of embroidery designs and have lots of different examples of how to use them: panels in quilts, art for the wall, hankies for gifts, images on T-shirts, greeting cards, etc. Ask your creative friends to come up with uses for the designs for more variety — especially in those areas where you don’t feel as strong (BTW, I’m a good sewer and would happily be your design guinea pig).
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Hmm, being a professional designer and Martha-Stewart-esque, I don’t have the needs of the general public. You could get super technical with me and I’d understand. With that said, I love your embroidery and have become a fan over the past few months. Your artwork is amazing and I would buy a coffee table book with just your art in it, but that’s me. I’m not the typical buyer. After reading a few comments, I noticed there is a demand for color and design help. It doesn’t sound like they want you to spell it out for them, but help them along in their own designing. Tips and tricks, I guess. I personally am looking forward to anything you come up with and will support it no matter what.
One idea did come to mind, it may not be a good one, but partnering up with someone who is good at what you lack in. Now may not be the time for that, but it’s just the first thing that popped up when I was reading your post. You have a lot of good suggestions here, you’ll make the right decision. Good luck.
December 4th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I recently checked a book out of the library (A Rainbow of Stitches) that was entirely embroidery and cross-stitch designs organized by colour and i just LOVE it. It’s now at the top of my holiday wish list. The designs were simple but beautiful. The photos showcased the embroidery in many, many different ways (cloth napkins, baby shoes, etc) but while patterns for the embroidery were provided, no instructions were given on how to sew the items.
I think you could do a book of embroidery designs, with embroidered quilts included, like Aimee Ray’s Doodle Stitching. You could arrange the book by season or by time of day (morning, afternoon, evening and night).
December 4th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
My daughter (age 26) recommends a book of your art work. She also volunteered to stitch for you. I can send you samples of her work.
I (age 54) would like to see a book of your embroidery patterns, art work, and design theory.
Everyone could benefit from your knowledge in the areas of design, composition and color. That’s usually the weak point for people who have grown up making things but haven’t had any formal art lessons.
For newbie’s, you could add a section on how to sew the basic stitches. Kaffe Fassett, artist / quilt designer, has a section that he adds to each of his quilt books on the how-to quilt basics. He just sticks this section at the end of each of his books - as a reference for the beginners.
Kaffe also does something interesting, as he designs all of the quilts and a line of fabric, but he cuts out the fabric, pins it to a design wall, then, when he’s done, glues it down, and sends it to a women in the US to make it into a quilt. They have had this partnership going on for a long time. I buy all of his books just because his use of color is so wonderful, although I have made half a dozen of his quilts. His books are just beautiful.
I’m sure that you could make a beautiful book also. I hope that you will continue to pursue this project.
December 4th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
I’m sure that I will enjoy whatever you publish, but I’d like to see anything that is entirely hand-sewn, like embroidery and your small quilts; and patterns, projects, step-by-step instructions, guidance on composition, color, techniques, and materials. A book of your embroidery designs would be awesome!
December 5th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I think that you’re very good in drawing, colours. I agree with the others… no Martha-things. But, your drawings are awesome. What do you think of a book that in each pages it’s similar as a notebook journal (see Claudia Nice’s “How to keep a sketchbook journal”). Inside we could find techniques, colour choice, some of your drawings (maybe the free ones on your website) half coloured, or not… included in your journal as a story! It would be dynamic and different of what we find on the library shelves. I think that it should be different than other craft books because you’re one of a kind with your drawings!
December 5th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Personally I would like to see a book that shows the design process from initial concept -> rejected ideas -> work in progress -> finished product -> what you might do differently next time.
Also I would love to see someone make a mistake and show how they fixed it or how they worked it into the final project.
Perfection = Conformity, its the small mistakes and little quirks that make thing interesting.
P.S. Martha only became interesting to me after she went to prison
December 6th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I like the journaling format idea (see watercolorjounaling.com under OUR JOURNALS for samples).
You probably need a few projects in your book, for creatively challenged, normal people, like me, to make (small quilt, t-shirt, headband, scarf). That way you can attract a larger audience.
December 6th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Your strengths are what I am looking for in craft books
I love your designs; embroidery patterns, quilts your art ….
any book that had your art and a way to use it (patterns for embroidery quilts stencils etc) Id buy that ….
And given you bridge the gap between arts and craft so very well I think you should play to it
Honestly Id love a “Big book of Badbird’s Crafty Designs”
December 7th, 2009 at 6:49 am
I think one on embroidering and quilting - incorporating both together - would be amazing. I enjoy seeing your quilts (and definitely enjoy your patterns) and would love to learn how to incorporate embroidery and quilting - well, to just learn to quilt would be nice!
December 16th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I would love to have a book of your embroidery designs.