in stitches

by Jennie Caminada

Jennie Caminada runs Cheekyhandmades from her lovely garden studio in a leafy corner of Walthamstow, where she teaches sewing classes and creates beautiful bespoke quilts, clothing and more. We’d been planning a book with her for some time, and the project finally got the go-ahead thanks to Jennie’s enterprising idea to employ crowdfunding, effectively selling copies of her book in advance. The response was enthusiastic, with Jennie’s target being reached and exceeded in under a month, allowing her to opt for more pages and a sturdier binding.

Jennie had already established the price point she wanted and had a clear idea of the scope of the book’s content. It was our job to meet the criteria for the available budget: the format we selected had to be easy to handle and post, yet be usable as a step-by-step guide. We opted for an 80-page A5 book on a sturdy, textural wood-free stock, with a matching but slightly heavier cover board.

With our format established, we moved on to the editing of the Jennie’s manuscript and preparations for a photoshoot, which took place at the cheekyhandmades studio. Jennie and our Creative Director Simon worked closely to ensure the pictures were clear and informative while expressing the distinctive cheekyhandmades style. Through a process of careful selection, judicious editing and creative thinking, they managed to ensure this relatively compact book is absolutely packed with useful information and techniques for novice needleworkers.

“Otherwise provided an amazing wrap-around service, taking me from raw manuscript to finished copies delivered direct to my door. Simon was basically my creative partner on the project – the book would not exist without his lovely photography, his spot-on edits and his patience in taking the time to learn all about sewing, just so that he could help me word things properly at the end of a long day.”

JENNIE CAMINADA