Random thoughts and inspirations scribbled onto paper were scanned, refined, and scaled to 32x32cm using Photoshop before being traced onto the hand-dyed fabric. The sewing machine was plugged in; black thread placed onto spool; a free-hand embroidery foot added; feed dogs were dropped, and fabric placed under the needle. The stitching began.
Whilst sewing, I altered sections of the design to be an outline. Not only was this a practical decision to maximise my resources (supply of thread), it also enables the customer to colour-in the design if they wish, for another layer of customisation.
With the embroidery complete and the sample ironed flat, it was time to hem the edges and sew the sides (right sides together) to form the textile record sleeve.
For this sample, I reused a piece of cardboard to create the support insert. A website link for creative customisation ideas and information about the company, would be printed onto the insert – alongside the record title, artist, and release information.
Voila! The sleeve in one of it’s many contexts:
Bonus content: a compilation of me stood on my spinny desk chair, taking some of the photos featured above.
Thanks for reading
– H
