I was asked to make a book to be taken to a 50th birthday party where the guests were to sign and write their good wishes. Photographs of happy growing-up days were provided and included.
The design brief was the place where the ‘Birthday Boy’ grew up and had fond memories of his childhood. I knew the area so took photographs from which to draw inspiration. The book was designed to represent a place of nostalgic memories evocative of a bygone era: A rural riverside scene overlooking an idyllic island with a castle, a railway where the train driver would blow the whistle and everyone came out to wave (very reminiscent of the Railway Children!) and a little boat anchored ready to fish.
As usual, I started with a whimsical sketch which was transferred on to a hand painted background. The river was made up of waved strips of complementary fabrics. Snippets of fabric were then layered to complete the scene and fused together to make secure. The whole piece was accentuated with stitch until the desired effect was reached.
The book comes with a quilted bag to protect it although I design my books to be tactile, to be well-used and well-loved and, above all, touched. The fabric will inevitably fray but this adds to its charm.
With any remaining background fabric I also made a greetings card to accompany the gift.