Power Sewing Toolbox
I’m beginning to think about the cover design I want for my latest book, POWER SEWING TOOLBOX: Tips & Techniques Not Found In Pattern Instructions (to be released October, 2010). Since so many creative people are involved in sewing in one way or another, I thought you would be great to ask for ideas.
Let’ s have a contest for cover design! The prize will be 3 autographed copies and a 1-Year subscription to my WebTV Show.
Here are some perameters which might help guide you:
-Geometric shapes – strong stripes, dots, big check are more my style – no flowers please.
-Strong colors and oddball color combinations which catch the eye. My favorite colors are: anything in the orange and green family.
While perusing books on cover design I came across things which I like the look of:
-In the book, Penguin by Design by Phil Baines, I liked page 69 – Overtures of the Magic Flute, on page 147 page on Heine, on page 146 The Peqin Book of Spanish Verse.
-In the book, Chip Kidd Book 1, I liked page 166 in the lower right hand corner, on page 100 I like the colors in the gold crinkle, on page 35, I loved the colors in the stripes.
Please post your ideas below. I SO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU COME UP WITH. I DIDN’T WANT TO DESIGN THE COVER WITHOUT YOUR INPUT!
Fondly,
Sandra
Sandra, the first thought that came to mind was inspired by your title — why not show a real toolbox, a reddish-orange metal one, lid open, with sewing “tools” inside, a measuring tape part way out, a wrist pincushion hanging off a handle, etc. I use one for my Upholstery class that I “borrowed” from my husband to keep my stuff in, and it’s great! Maybe more boys would try learning to sew if it were thought of this way. Hope this helps!
Regards,
Margaret Winters
My first thought was very similar to the one above. A real red toolbox open on a white background of fabric. Sewing tools in the top of it and a nice piece of striped fabric draped over one end for added colour and some tools scattered around it on the outside. Look forward to the new book!
I think that a tool box in one of your favotite color combiniations with a picture of a sewing machine on it and an electric cord coming from it would be really fitting. Maybe the toolbox open with sewing machine feet and attachments in the compartments showing.
Sandra, I envision an old rustic-looking toolbox with lots of grungy sewing accessories spilling out of it. I can see warm amber colors with lots of orange/green/yellowish-brownish tones. This charming, weathered toolbox should be rustic to celebrate our hobby that has stood the test of time.
Love you “sew” much!
Damiane Lucas
I have sort of a different idea for the toolbox. I visualize it as if you were looking down on it. I see black outlines of the sections with a white or cream background. Then in these sections I would put sewing tools like in shape. It gives them a vertical or horizontal feel. In order to make your eye to check this out, I would put red handles here and there around the sections. This can be a photo or a drawing.
I too can hardly wait for this next book.
I love the tool box idea, how about having the tool box like a pop up book where you see the book laying open on the sewing table and the pop up in the center is the Power Toolbox. Love you Sandra and appreciate everything I have learned from you. You make us look great!
I associate a tool box with “work”, but sewing with “fun” and creativity. For that reason, I see a photograph or illustration of a well dressed, smiling woman posed in a “Rosie the Riveter” pose in the foreground, with a smoking sewing machine in the background. Color scheme to match what Sandra likes!
Sandra: I see it very 50’s/60’s carton style. You in a orange checked dress holding large electric sissors at a work table, maybe slashing fabric into shapes. Set against a yellow background, bold black slashes with color title over. Tool box could be on work table with “stuff” spilling out. Enjoy your clean helpful style.
…and of course, a tool box in the image,too. (follow up to earlier comment)
I have all your books and they are wonderful. If your new book is about techniques not usually found, wouldn’t they be TREASURES? A treasure chest used as a toolbox seems more appropriate; with simple, bold, graphic jewel shapes, in all the jewel colors, used to represent the different techniques. The jewel icons could also be used inside to identify chapter headings or under page numbers, etc. Thanks for letting us contribute.
Marilyn Call
I wanted to say thank you for helping me design a dress for my daughter in law. It fit, and she loved both, shirt and dress. I took your class in Mobile Alabama. Enjoyed every minute of it.
How about the cover showing a person’s hand toting a sewing box by the handle and the box is fixed up to look like a book entitled “Power Sewing Toolbox by Sandra Betzina”. The “book’s” cover shows Sandra’s face above a solid-colored (green?) sewing box she is holding up under her chin, like she’s getting ready to prosent a gift, and the real book’s title and other verbage is printed across the solid colored sewing box.
Sandra – I can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of your new book. I envision a photograph of a well dressed women (say a TF business suit style) in heels as if she is walking to work with a tool box in hand that says “Power Sewing” on the site (Red-orange box, cream letters) The mystery of the closed box will make readers want to open the book to find out more. The background would not have scenery, but would be a solid color with a stripe down the side near the binding, title across the top with your name as well.
My other idea is just the tool box with the title on the box, but closed. Again, beckoning for the reader to open the book to find out what is inside. Solid color background again or perhaps some color blocking in shades of teal to compliment the brightness of the red-orange tool box.
Please let us know when and how we can pre-order! Thanks.
Since your book will be referring to pattern instructions, I think you should put some pattern envelopes in the toolbox (your patterns, of course) with you holding up the toolbox with sewing words and/or notions flying around your head!
Sandra-
Your book will be about Tips and Techniques not found in pattern instructions. Why not feature a cover that features the most useful tips and sewing notions in a different way? We could show a toolbox made of woven “tuille” to encourage readers to think “outside the box”. The tuille would be rolled lengthwise and interwoven into either a striped or checked pattern in your favorite colors.
Sewists would instantly get the connection and know that a clever and useful book is within their grasp.