7 years ago, I poured my heart into creating Cartonnage Basics & Beyond: The Complete Guide for Fabric Lovers. Today, as I reflect on this incredible journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the experience and the community that has grown around this book.
Here are some “behind the scenes” of making this book and how it all began!
The Idea
I had been teaching cartonnage for some time—both locally and online—and creating detailed instructions for my classes and DIY kits. One day, a student suggested, “You should turn these instructions into a book.” That idea stuck with me, and by late 2016, I started planning. It all began with a special box I made for my husband to store his coffee cups. The box was beautiful and functional, but too large for kits or classes so I decided to try the same model but a little smaller.
So, I shrinked the box,andchanged a lot: added dividers, the lid, added tray, closure and the final box was so beautiful and practical! My daughter is using it for her jewelry stuff.
When I looked at the final box, I realized it could serve as the foundation for a book. I saw an opportunity to start from the very beginning—teaching the basics of simple boxes—and then gradually improve them by adding new elements, transforming them into more functional designs.
That’s how I decided to begin with the single box and the “Fabric Organizer Box” to cover the basics. From there, I moved on to the “Fabric Treasure Chest.” Then, by adding a drawer underneath, I turned it into a “Suitcase,” creating the “Fabric Treasure Chest with Hidden Drawer.”
That was the initial plan for the book, and it all started at the beginning of 2017!
The first projects:
After my daughter’s jewelry box, I then decided to make the complete set to see how the boxes would look like together. Here are the first ones I made designing the projects:
Designing and Testing
Before I could actually start writing the book, I had to ensure my project designs were just right. This involved a lot of work! From my initial sketches, I created a design file for the company that cuts the paperboards for my first tests. Once those were done, I made another set of pieces, checking, adjusting, and making changes.
Of course, there were countless details to fix—that’s all part of the design process: trial and error.
Here are some pictures from the early stages of testing the first projects:
Taking pictures for the instructions of the book:
It was already summer when I started taking pictures during the process of making the boxes. Choosing the right fabric for this was a “big deal.” To look good in the book, the fabric needed to contrast with the white background, and the back of the fabric couldn’t be too light to ensure better visibility in the pictures. So, I searched through many stores until I was happy with the blue fabric I decided to use. Now that the book is done, I’m completely sure I made a great decision — that fabric really enhanced the pictures!
Here I am, taking pictures for the instructions. Before I forget, let me tell you that the book ended up with over 700 pictures, all of them taken by me! It took me a while to finish the pictures for the instructions and to start writing them, especially with the kids on vacation. It was a crazy time, which is why the book wasn’t ready until December.
For the book’s layout, I collaborated with my talented friend Priscila Tordino, who turned my vision into reality. She designed the book beautifully, making it clear and visually appealing.
Collaborating with Friends
To make the book even more special, I invited my friends Sherri Jones and Lynn Hodge to contribute. Sherri designed embroidery patterns to embellish the boxes, and Lynn introduced the concept of painting fabric for added flair. Their contributions added unique touches to the projects. While I was in Indy, I took the opportunity to visit Lynn and capture the photos for the fabric painting section of the book. It was a great time—we had so much fun! I took all the pictures and brought home the painted fabrics, which I later used to complete the boxes.
Outdoor Photo Shoots
The book wouldn’t be what it is without the beautiful outdoor pictures we took with the boxes. By August, I had finished the instructional photos, and the main pieces were complete. It was the perfect time to head to Indy to meet my friend Priscila, who helped me take the outdoor photos. We had a fantastic time! We went to a beautiful park in Carmel and captured some wonderful shots, including the book cover.
First, take a look at how stunning the park is:
And then, some of the pictures we took there:
Making the boxes with embroideries and painted fabric:
Then was time to make the chapters for adding embroideries and making the boxes with the painted fabrics. Sherry had already given me the embroideries she designed and stitched. So, I started making those boxes, taking pictures and writing the chapter. Some of the pictures of this process you can see here:
After that was time to make the boxes with the painted fabric. As Lynn was far from me, I decided to try some stitches to make one treasure box using the fabric she painted but with a few stitches…. I’m pretty sure she would do much better, but I didn’t have time to come back to Indy, so, I did anyway….as a demonstration I think was valid!
Taking more outside pictures:
I felt that I needed to take more pictures outside because we weren’t sure if we have taken a good one for the cover…. So I asked permission in a Garden place here in Michigan, and I went there to take some extra pictures. The place was so beautiful, and I’m happy I got some more beautiful pictures there. Sad that they have by now closed the place and a bank was build in that same area. Take a look at some of the pictures:
Choosing the Publisher
Yes, I know—it’s unusual to find a publisher with the book almost complete! But since this was a self-published book, the first publisher I considered when I started writing wasn’t the best fit for a book so full of pictures. Unfortunately, I only realized this later (my mistake!). So, I had to find another option. I eventually chose BookBaby, and I think it was a great decision. I was happy with the paper quality, their service, and their helpful customer support. Most importantly, we didn’t have to make major changes to the book design, which was nearly finished by then!
DIY Kits
During this time, I was also working on the kits—getting them ready, cutting, cleaning, stamping, sorting them into kits, and adding covers. In other words, I was making the DIY cartonnage kits you know and love!
Corrections and Printing the Book
After completing each chapter, I carefully reviewed and corrected it. Once the entire book was done, I sent it to the printing company, which printed one copy for a final review. I was so excited! On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the book arrived. Opening the box and seeing the printed book was an amazing experience—it represented so much hard work!
I spent the entire weekend reading, correcting, and making notes. On Monday, I sent all the corrections to my friend, who fixed everything. By Tuesday, we submitted the updated file to the printing company. Then, I ordered more copies. Here’s the twist: the book launch was already scheduled for December 9—less than two weeks away! I’m not a fan of tight deadlines, but I had no choice.
The books finally arrived at my house on Thursday, December 7, at 1 PM. Just three hours later, we were on the road to Indiana for a class and the book launch. Talk about cutting it close! I’ll definitely aim for better timing next time.
Creating the Complimentary Online Class
To enhance the reader experience, I decided to include a complimentary online class through my cartonnage school. This class complements the book, allowing readers to watch videos of key steps in addition to following the written instructions. While the class isn’t a comprehensive guide to fabric box making, it provides plenty of essential tips and visuals to ensure you’re on the right track.
What’s more, you’ll have direct access to me within the class! Asking questions can be challenging when you’re just reading a book, but not in this case—I’m always available to help.
While waiting for the books to arrive, I recorded all the class videos. It was such a rewarding experience, and I used a beautiful fabric for the demonstration.
First Book Class
On December 8, we hosted a full-day class in Indy for an amazing group of students. We worked on the book’s main project—the Fabric Treasure Chest—using the DIY kits I had prepared.
The class was a blast! The students created stunning boxes, and we had so much fun. Check out some photos and the video we made that day:
Book Launch
On December 9, we held the book launch at Quilt Expressions in Fishers, IN, a fantastic quilt store. I reconnected with many long-time students and met some new ones—it was such a wonderful experience! I can truly say it was “a dream come true.”
I’m so happy and grateful for all the groups of students who have consistently encouraged me to keep creating, to improve, and to overcome the fear of not being a native English speaker. Cartonnage is my passion, and I believed in myself and with your help and my family help it was possible!
Now, we are in 2024 - 7 years have passed, many books were sold, so many wonderful boxes were made, and will be memorable gifts to those who made and for those who received the presents! I couldn't be more thankful for that!
Along these years, we have received many reviews, and pictures of the boxes that were made following the book. I couldn’t be happier! Mission accomplished! Take a look at some of the reviews.
Reviews:
Write a Review
If you have the book, I would love to hear from you. Please take a minute to make your review, either commenting below or directly adding the review to the book page. Our community will also love to see pictures of the boxes you make following the book/online class! Share the pictures in our Facebook group - Cartonnage Fabric boxes.
How to purchase
If you want to buy the book, it’s available on my online shop, Amazon or the publisher shop.
Also, for more information about the book you can check my website here.
Thank you so much for reading, for being part of my Joyful Journey and for allowing yourself to have fun gluing!
I hope you enjoy my work with Cartonnage and stay tuned, because there is always a reason for us to connect and have a great time gluing! See you around!
For more information about the technique, products, DIY kits or classes check our website at www.colorwayarts.com.
Happy Gluing!!
Much love,
Claudia