We just got advance copies of Embroider Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp in the office this week, and boy, do they look spiffy! And as we flip through the pages of techniques and projects, we’re reminded of the process that it took to get us to this place. Because beyond the months of editing and layouts, there were the photo shoots, illustration revisions, and more! Today, though, we look back at the photos that went into making Embroider Everything Workshop look so splendid.

The very talented photographer Jim Franco invited us into his studio as he began shooting some of the tabletop items. Here, he props the cross-stitched Fancy First Aid Kit (flip to page 210 in the book to check it out!) on a marble tile surface with some bandages and other basic fix-it gear. Then he switches out the surface for a more rugged wooden one to shoot the embroidered Return to Sender Luggage Tag (page 192).

Jim’s studio is right next door to an amazing prop room, where he had access to dishes, fabrics, mirrors, and other furnishings of all shapes and sizes (and color-coded, too!)–it was a wonderland of artfully organized treasures.

Below, author Diana Rupp works with Jim to style the satin stitched Peony Jewelry Box project (page 183) to get it juuuust right.

Each project gets photographed multiple ways, to ensure that we get a winning shot. Remember that luggage tag, above? Here, it’s attached to vintage suitcase with a bright red ribbon. Since he’s changed the angle of the camera, Jim takes a light reading before he clicks the shutter.

A couple of weeks later, we hit the streets of Brooklyn (with lighting assistants, and cute young models!), photographing on the sidewalks (the Smocked with Love dress, page 127) as well as the Patch ‘Em Ups stitched patches for kids (page 122).

Then we scouted locations in the park, where we clicked images of the Bargello Belt (page 112), the Monogrammed Sneakers (page 106)–which Diana thoughtfully stitched onto a pair of cute kicks in her editor’s size!!), the Stag Hoodie (page 102), and the Dashing Vest and Tie (page 90).

But the real treat was shooting at a farm in upstate New York for two days. Below, Jim experiments with the lighting while shooting the Something Blue Hanky (page 225).

“Did we get it right?” Jim and Diana check the computer monitor to see if he got the shot.

The model waits patiently to confirm that they have a good one before moving! And, to whet your appetite, here’s a closeup of the amazingly stitched keepsake.

Next up? The Sashiko Top and Tunic dress (page 86) using the traditional Japanese pattern called “Seven Treasures of Buddha.” Diana stitched white on navy for the dress bodice, and switched it up with a variegated floss on white along the sleeves and bottom of the shirt.

Again, Diana and Jim check the computer monitor to see if the photo is a keeper (it was! You can see the final one on page 86 of the book).

And here’s the project that’s up first in my queue: the Crewel But Kind Giraffe (page 118). I already ordered the fabric from my local quilting shop and the iron-on pattern comes in the pocket at the front of the book! A perfect project for my subway commute.

Keep an eye out for the book when it hits shelves later this fall–and check back to our website, too, to see if Diana will be doing an author event (and make-and-take) for Embroider Everything Workshop in your area before Christmas!

What: Behind the scenes at the photo shoot for Megan Nicolay’s newest book, Generation T: Beyond Fashion

Who: A super crew including photographer Rafael Fuchs, fashion stylist Basia Zamorska, and our team of models, which spanned 11 adults, 5 children, 2 babies, 4 dogs, and a cat named Noodle.

Where: Everywhere! From Brooklyn, where we shot in a restaurant named Bubby’s (if you’re in the area, check out the awesome photo booth), Brooklyn Bridge Park, and a retro bowling alley; to a loft in Tribeca; to the streets of Chinatown.

When: Four days in November. We shot during the first really cold week of fall, and it felt more like winter—but our models were troopers. They somehow managed to scamper around outside in skimpy T-wear without looking totally frozen. Piping hot Grimaldi’s pizza in the location van helped to warm them up some. (Yum.) We also kept the tunes blasting, which is why many of the photos look like the models were dancing—because they really were. A great way to get the blood flowing AND nail a rocking shot.
-Danielle Hark

Makeshift studio set up in Bubby's

Hair and Makeup artist Dina and Megan styling Isabella

Behind the velvet rope

Megan driving the Mini Cooper

Ready for a road trip

When we arrived at The Girls’ Guide to Rocking cover photo shoot, we were ready to do some serious styling.

To our surprise, 14-year-old model Shayanne walked in already looking like a rock star, with wrist cuffs, pocket chains, and a studded skull belt to boot. We were able to send her right into the first shot without changing a thing–a historic moment!

It’s always a pleasure when a model can connect with a project in terms of style and attitude and jump right in, and that she did. She jumped, and kicked, and screamed, all in the name of rock.

Photographer Gabrielle Revere, who has shot artists such as Avril Lavigne and Carrie Underwood, captured Shayanne’s inner (and outer!) rock star, with her Papillon assistant Bijou by her side.

The shots came out so well that they ended up not only on the cover, but also on the back cover, inside pages, and even on the spine of the book.

Check out The Girls’ Guide to Rocking, in stores later this month!

Click here to read an excerpt from The Girls’ Guide to Rocking.