As you may or may not have already guessed from hints dropped here and there, I'm working on something BIG for 2018... my second book!
I know it's been a long time coming since the publication of my first book, Love at First Stitch, in May 2014, and that a lot of you have been asking for a second book sooner. The truth is that I felt so burnt out after writing the first one that I really needed a break. And then the sewing pattern and online workshop side of my business started growing... and growing... and the idea of trying to write a book alongside running a business seemed crazy!
Last Summer I decided that the time had come, and I started getting excited again about the idea of writing a second book. I wrote the proposal and outline over the Summer and designed all the projects, then pitched the book in September 2016. In the Autumn, I started fleshing out the content - this time with the invaluable help of Vanessa, our pattern cutter, on the patterns themselves.
The book will be published in Spring 2018 by Quadrille. So far I've designed all the projects, outlined the structure and content, written three chapters, sourced the fabrics, sewn lots of samples, had two photo shoots, and Vanessa has drafted the majority of the patterns. We've still got quite a bit to do before the deadline at the end of June, but it's really getting there.
So what's the book about? Well, I'm going to keep that a surprise until nearer the time ;) Sorry!! What I can tell you is that it's a great follow on from my first book, teaching you more advanced dressmaking skills. It will also make a really nice standalone book for experienced stitchers who want to build their wardrobe with some awesome patterns.
Oh and it's going to be amazing! I'm seriously in love with the projects in it and living in the sample garments. The concept is really strong and I know it's something that lots of you will be excited by.
Can't wait to share more with you soon! In the meantime, if you fancy finding out more about what it was like writing my first book, you can read posts from the archive on Getting a Craft Book Deal and Behind the Scenes Writing a Book.
Now I'm going to get back to work!
