August 25, 2015

Stitchy Snippets: Penguin by Hand

Jenny Hart

A new series of beautifully illustrated books are soon to grace your shelves. Do you recall the Penguin Threads Deluxe Classics that were published in 2011? The set features special embroidered book covers by Jillian Tamaki and Rachell Sumpter.

Jillian Tamaki

Rachell Sumpter

Next month Penguin will publish their latest craft inspired collection: Penguin by Hand which celebrates the work of six prominent, female authors of contemporary fiction. The stunning book cover designs are truly a feast for the eyes. The production includes an array of hand craft techniques: embroidery, paper art, pyrography and string art.


The six contributing artists are: Jenny Hart, Brenda Riddle, Emma Ruth Hughes, Genevieve Dionne, Dominique Falla and Helen Musselwhite.

Art work by: Jenny Hart & Helen Musselwhite

Art work by: Brenda Riddle & Dominique Falla

Art work by: Emma Ruth Hughes, Genevieve Dionne

To emphasise the tactile art work, the sumptuous covers have once again been sculpt embossed. The incredible detail in the embossing plate below illustrates how the intricate elements and fine textures of embroidery have been translated well to paper.


Such appealing covers call out to be handled, re-connecting readers to the tangible experience of thumbing a paper page, where the only concern is spilling coffee onto such a spectacular book cover. Whilst discovering the latest Penguin by Hand range, let’s remind ourselves of the three fantastic book covers that won a prize in the Feeling Stitchy ‘Covered in Stitches’ contest.

The Invisible Mountain by SpidersPaw

Contes des Mille et Une Nuits by Coeurdefreesia

Wynken, Blynken and Nod by Lisa Leggett

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