cotton canvas couch covers

Cotton canvas couch covers. I can't say that four times fast. They weren't too hard to make, though, which is nice because I meant to get these done fast, in time for a baby shower I was hosting.

I started with the back cushions. There used to be three long cushions on this sofa, and none were practical for pillow forts or useful as floor cushions. I pulled the fluff out and used some cotton muslin to make four large pillow forms. These are just simple squares, 19 x 19 inches.

When the forms were all stitched up, I used the canvas (painter's tarp) to sew a couple of 20 x 20 squares together on three sides to make pillow covers. I hemmed the fourth side, but left it open. With the open end at the bottom and a snug fit, the open bottoms aren't too noticeable.

The seat cushions needed to be measured and traced. I cut them in two pieces then stitched around the perimeter on three sides with box stitching on the fronts. The fourth side of each was left open for easy washing, and I just tuck them into the edges in place.

It's not perfect, but it's a nice change for spring. The brown was just looking kind of dirty all the time; this helps. The new covers are really easy to remove and wash, and the canvas takes dye well if I decide the color needs to change. Overall, I'd call this one a success!

visiting my old life (cover design)

I recently finished a stint filling in at my old job. One of the authors I designed a cover for over the past few weeks was especially thrilled with my work, so I thought I'd share it here.

Front:

Back:

The design started out much worse than it ended up. I figured out pretty early on that the photograph I'd considered using wasn't going to cut it (pun intended), so nixed it after a couple of attempts to integrate it, and went all free-hand with the pen tool in illustrator working up layers . . .

The book is forthcoming this month from Wipf & Stock Publishers. You can also follow the blog of the author, Sarah Wells, just by clicking her name.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions about book cover design, please put 'em in the comments below, and I'll do my best to answer them, using my (limited) knowledge. Chip Kidd I ain't.




(p.s. You can make the images on this page larger just by clicking on them, but you probably already knew that.)