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Desert Island Stitch: Low-Life

Desert Island Stitch: Low-Life

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The third outing in the Desert Island Stitch series is New Order’s “Low-Life,” originally released in 1985. This is definitely one of my favorite New Order albums, tonally its all over the place, in the the best way. From the pop jangle of “The Perfect Kiss” to the kick ass aggression of “Sunrise,” it runs the gambit. And of course the layered gorgeousness of “Elegia,” a tribute to the late Joy Division band mate Ian Curtis.

18 point aida, live area 5″ x 5″

The cover itself was a departure for designer Peter Saville. It was graphically simple, containing no secret language of coded color shapes. It also marked the first time the band themselves appeared on their album. In an interview with the Guardian, Peter said that “the unexpected thing to do was a photo of New Order.” In an even more unexpected turn, the image on the cover is drummer Stephen Morris, whose photograph was “stronger” than singer Bernard Sumners.

New Order Low-Life Crosstitch

For the piece, I debated on whether or not to include the text, as the packaging of the original pressing was a semi-transparent sleeve that the had the text printed on it. Ultimately I decided to stitch it in, and I’m glad that I did.

Side-x-side

The piece took a bit longer than anticipated to complete, but I am really pleased with the result!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Three Imaginary Boys
Desert Island Stitch: Three Imaginary Boys

Desert Island Stitch: Three Imaginary Boys

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Thirty-nine years ago today, The Cure released their debut album, which happens to be the next in my Desert Island Stitch series. “Three Imaginary Boys” made it’s debut on May 8th, 1979, an odd cover containing nothing but a lamp, a refrigerator, and a hoover. Before I started stitching, I dyed the aida pink by painting it with Rit, to give the walls and floor an organic texture while still being a slightly abstract detail.

After it dried, I sprayed the fabric with a color fixative, to help protect it from fading, I went to work on the three imaginary boys… as represented by mundane household objects…

Sure it may not be the first album people pull to mind when digging through The Cure’s discography, but to me, there is something iconic about the stark emotionless cover art.

Displays nicely with the concert poster from the Reflections Tour.

I had originally planned on adding some single-thread-line details. As I was adding them, they started to detract from the design, so I nixed’em. Anywho, let me know what you think, or guess what the next cover will be in the comments below!

And because, well, 39.