whileshenaps.com

Sewing, blogging, and creative business.

The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Make and Sew

10QM04

I am so pleased to share with you the cover of my forthcoming book, The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Make and Sew.  144 pages of bird sewing goodness, including 19 projects to make everything from a flamingo to a woodpecker, a swan to a wren.  Step-by-step photos to show you exactly how to make a wire armature, all different options for sewing feathers and tricks for turning and stuffing successfully. And lots more.

Plus four interviews between me and some of my favorite fabric bird makers (Ann Wood, Abigail Brown, Tamar Mogendorff, and Jennifer Muskopf) and a gallery featuring birds by all five of us.

I was so excited this afternoon when I saw that The Artful Bird it is now available for pre-order on Amazon. The official release date is January 1, 2011. 

Making this book has been one of the most interesting experiences I've ever had. Going into it, I knew that I had the ideas, the patterns, the concept for a pretty great craft book. Writing the proposal and preparing all the materials was all-consuming last spring.  Researching potential publishers was interesting in and of itself. Who would be the best fit?  In the end I chose the six I thought would be the best match.

I emailed it out and then I waited. A half hour.  And Tricia at Interweave called.  I almost fell off my chair. And then nearly all of them called. And the original concept evolved into something more workable. Then one publisher offered a two-book deal. And then they were all calling and I had to choose and it was really cool and really stressful. And in the end, I chose Interweave because I could tell right away that they got it. They understood my idea, my aesthetic, and they would make an awesome book. 

I signed the contract and then I had eight crazy months to sew and write.  The sewing (and buying all the new fabric) was the great part. Doing all the technical writing was torturous at times. Flying to Colorado to shoot the step-by-step instructions was a totally fascinating experience in and of itself. Blogging through these months was so hard. Sewing like crazy and not showing anything here!  It was so weird. But by December, it was all done and in the mail.

Some editing in May. And I'm sure some more back and forth is to come, but now there it is, for sale. 

The next phase still seems far away.  First I have to birth a baby, after all.  And then a book baby.

Comments

  2. Julie says

    I LOVE the cover! And congratulations! This is so amazing and you are so inspiring how hard working you are! So proud that all those years of passion for arts has led you to a life still filled with all that passion and fulfillment! xo julie

  3. jodie says

    So wonderful, as soon as I saw the title I thought “ooh its ready”. I’d love to pre-order a copy but I think I’d rather have one signed…will that be possible from across the seas???
    Congratulations on finding the right fit-it looks beautiful and exciting.

  5. abbyjane says

    Hi Jodie,
    Thank you for your kinds words. Yes, I will have signed copies in my Etsy shop in January. So exciting!
    -Abby

  7. Lovely World says

    How wonderful. I love the story you tell here. I cannot wait to have a copy of the book myself. A baby, a book, and all your beautiful creations – life is good!

  14. judi Glassenberg says

    My wonderful, creative daughter-in-law. You Rock!! So proud of you in so many ways. Love, Judi

  15. JessA says

    wow! This book looks great, I will be first in line to buy it! Thanks for sharing the process of getting it published, that was fascinating.

  19. Lisa says

    Abby, the cover looks great and delighted to read of your “baby news” too! B’Sha’a Tova! Feel good.

  20. Rachel says

    Congratulations Abby on your two newest creations! The book cover is great, and I’m sure the other new creation will be as well!!
    🙂
    Rachel

  22. Margaret Oomen says

    i can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. It will be on my christmas list even though the release date is after.
    It is really amazing what you have accomplished this past year.

  26. Abigail says

    Ooh!!! Can’t wait till it’s out and I get to see all your beautiful work Abby!
    xx

  28. Amy says

    Congratulations on your book! What an amazing achievement! I will certainly be ordering your book as your creations are truly delightful! You are incredibly talented and very generous to share your amazing skills. Keep up the good work! P.s. Your blog is simply wonderful!

  32. Mimi says

    Congratulations Abby! Your book looks awesome – I love birds and what I see on the cover is exceptional! Can’t wait to have the book in my hands – you are an inspiration!

  36. Sloane says

    Your work and your book are amazing! Although I probably won’t have the patience to ever sew one you have inspired me to tweak my own birds that I make with gourds. I am posting my new feet today with a link to your book also! Keep up the good work and thatnks for the inspiration!

  37. Kia says

    I just flipped through your book in B&N and thought it was delightful, by the time I got home I had to order it. I can’t wait until it arrives!

  38. Kay says

    Just saw your book at Indigo in Windsor, Canada and searched the book on my iPad as soon as I got to my car. I’ve never been so inspired to make something!
    Congratulations on your success! You deserve it.

  39. Suzanne says

    I have been enjoying your book The Artful Bird tremendously and have posted a link to both your book and your site on my blog. Thanks for the inspiration–your work is amazing!