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Some serious paper porn AKA By Hand packaging

As we maaaaay have said before, we're pretty proud of our first collection. However, our designs are only really half the story. The other half is our packaging. We spent a really long time getting this exactly how we wanted it to be: great quality, an asset to your sewing corner and true to the girl.

We wanted to do something different, so chose non-sewing related packaging as a starting point; namely, a mix of a matchbox (hence the slipcase) and a book (hence the spine & blurb on the back). That agreed on, we roped in graphic designers, typography nerds and paper lovers Jovanna Mendes and Nick Ritchie to work their magic.

Each pattern is personified by a real girl, and, inspired by a nostalgic love of young adult fiction like Judy Blume and Sweet Valley High, the copy on the back is just about her. Similarly, the pattern on the inside of the slipcase is also personal to and chosen by that particular girl.

Basically, we wanted to make something with character, something that lasts and that you want to show off in your room! Hopefully, we did ok. We are super happy with the result, but are aware we may not be right every time!  We are always always always looking for feedback - good or bad - so, please, holla at us with your opinions.

These particularly luscious photos are by Rob Wilson.

Comments on this post (10)

  • Dec 12, 2012

    The packaging is really unique and absolutely stunning, ticks all my paper lust boxes :)

    — Sarah

  • Dec 01, 2012

    Oh wow! That is such a freaking cool idea! Pardon the profanity ;)

    — ZoSews (@ZoSews)

  • Dec 10, 2012

    Swoon! My patterns just arrived and I nearly died of the awesomeness! Love the packaging to death. I’m a total packaging fanatic and just love the story you’re telling with yours. Fantastic work ladies!

    — Tiffany

  • Dec 11, 2012

    Thank you so much!! We’re pretty proud! Let us know what you make! :)

    — byhandlondon

  • Nov 30, 2012

    Your packaging is absolutely devine – I love it! I think it’s my favourite :) What will you do when patterns aren’t named after your lovely selves?

    — ZoSews

  • Nov 30, 2012

    Thank you! We are mega proud… As for future patterns, they’ll all be inspired by and named after a girl we know and admire – complete with their own photo shoot, personal illustration and blurb all about them on the back of the pattern folder!

    — byhandlondon

  • Nov 30, 2012

    Paper porn is right. I got a little design chubby when they came in the mail (oh that sentence can be read way dirtier than I intended). Seriously, the prettiest pattern packaging out there. So thoughtful and well considered, and I LOVED the book format. Especially helpful for folks who may be sewing for the first time! The Charlotte skirt is going to be the perfect starter pattern for my friends if I ever get my shit together and organize a sewing workshop…

    — Heather Lou

  • Nov 29, 2012

    These are too fab! I actually shrieked when I opened up the Charlotte skirt box and saw the cheetah print peeping out!

    — Ginger

  • Nov 29, 2012

    really, they’re just glorious. ruggy was so impressed, i actually caught him playing with the packaging. in a non-weird way.

    — oonaballoona

  • Nov 29, 2012

    I just loved the packaging – possibly one of the best out there. It felt really special and unique.

    — Joanne

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