I am in the final editing stages of my new book Sweatshirt Remix release date May 2009. The cover is up on Amazon available for presales. It is always exciting to see a new cover and realize the end is coming for the writing part. Now it is onto the marketing and showing off of the new delivery! This book has twenty, jackets, coats, tunics, robes all created from sweatshirts. The humble sweatshirt is ideal for "upcycling" into a fashionable and comfortable additon to any wardrobe. A CD is with the book and has patterns, garment labels and embroidery transfers.

Been having fun recycling and upcycling clothing pieces and other items getting ready for the CHA winter tradeshow and the Designer's Green Gallery. Thirty designers creating designs from recycled items and manufacturers' products. This will be displayed in the Eco-Lounge as the theme of the show is "Crafting Green". 

I am making some Christmas gifts and of course it will be a lot of last minute whirring of the machine. Will post pics soon.

Hope everyone is sewing up some Christmas gifts and fashion fabs!

Debra

I am enjoying the luxury of being tucked up in bed my last night in Cincinatti following the book photo shoot. I have a new book being released in the spring Sweatshirt Remix   Transforming Ordinary Sweatshirts into Extraordinary Fashions.

From the moment I arrived and my very capable editor Nancy Breen picked me up it was five days of great food, meeting lots of F+W staff and shooting stepouts for the book with the fabulous photographer Christine. For a book with twenty designs there are approximately 250 photos showing how to put together each design. It is alot of prep work beforehand but so worth it. My memory is not what it used to be! I have to write everything down. I send my manuscript with all the photos numbered, describede and inserted in the text. I then create a corresponding main label for each design with book, editor, author name, project name, numbered steps for that design. The label goes on a larger bag for each design and inside smaller baggies hold individual smaller stepouts for that design each with a small sticky label. 2-10 (Chapter 2-Stepout 10) I was very glad to have prepared this way as I often don't remember myself what each piece is for! I would review the next day's steps the night before and be ready for Lights, Action, Camera! Now it is back home tomorrow and my own cooking!!! Follow me here and on my blog www.debraquartermain.typepad.com/confessionsofastitchchick