My Kingdom for a Sketchbook Cover!

Do you ever find yourself needing a very particular tool or piece of equipment, but you can’t find anything that’s exactly what you’re looking for?  This frustration strikes me often when I’m working outside my studio. I especially wanted more organization in my sketchbooks, something that would enable me to neatly tote additional paperwork and supplies without resorting to a separate bag.

Enter Cailyn Meyer, a former high school classmate and proprietress over at The Daily Skein, to custom-sew a fabric cover to my hardbound 8.5”x11” sketchbook.  I provided her with the design, which Cailyn refined according to her knowledge of fabrics and sewing, and then she brought the idea to fruition with her crafting skills.

Yes, I insisted on the happy Woodland Critters design. Got a problem with that?

Thanks to Cailyn, I couldn’t be happier with the results: TEN pockets (4 letter, 2 half-sheet, 2 business card, 1 index card, 1 postcard), two bookmarks, and a removable pen sleeve that can fit a Micron and a mechanical pencil.  Finally, I can securely carry a children’s book manuscript, photo references, drawing supplies, illustrator postcards and other ephemera with my sketchbook!

Comments

[Cheryl Kalberer]

Very nice job on the sketchbook. The woodland creatures print makes me smile.

Cher

[nina seven]

very cool, christina!

[Chandler]

Oh, my word, that is just about the best thing I've ever seen. I'm constantly on the look-out for the perfect sketching accessories. My big thing was finding a smallish bag that was easy to carry, not too conspicuous (i.e. brown, something that doesn't scream I'M A TOURIST! PICKPOCKET ME! So "bum bags," as the Brits would say, are out), large enough for my sketchbook/watercolor set/wallet/biz cards/wooden pencil box, and with plenty of slots and pockets for anything else I could think of. This search was about 10 years in the making, and I bought probably 15 "almost right" bags. Finally the Tailor gave me the trusty Duluth Pack leather havisack for Christmas one year, and it was perfect!

I'm still coveting that sketchbook cover, though...many happy sketching returns!

[Jane Kennedy Sutton]

Not only can you carry everything you need - it looks really good, too. What a clever idea. Maybe you two should patent it.