Sorry this is so late today….I came down with the flu and have been feeling under the weather all day. I know…what a New Year’s Eve right ?? Anyway, after watching several episodes of Doctor Who, I am overcoming my cold to bring you one of my favorite books of 2013. I thought it a fitting way to see out the year.
Review
My two favorite books of 2013 would have to be Pillow Pop and Patchwork, please.
Title: “Pillow Pop”
Author: Compiled by Heather Bostic
Publisher: C&T Publishing/Stash Books
ISBN: 978-1-60705-478-8
I love sewing pillows. They are a great project to practice your skills. They are quick projects which means you easily get finishes and a sense of accomplishment – great to put in between quilt finishes. Finally, they make great gifts!!
Pillow Pop has a fabulous collection of 25 pillow projects. The projects are all by different people, so that means there is something for everyone in this book. The projects are at varying skill levels and pillow sizes and provide you with plenty ideas for a guild pillow swap or gift for a friend.
Each project is well put together, with materials, cutting instructions, and block instructions. The projects have great accompanied pictures and layout, which make them appealing and easy to follow. At the end of the book, there is a chapter that covers various tips on how to finish of the pillow, and the techniques you may need for the project. For example, how to make HST (half square triangles) or put a zipper in or make an envelope back, the details are provided.
My only caution for the book is to make sure you check for corrections. The Metro project, for example, has at least two errors in measurements. This was frustrating and meant some rework and re-measurement, to ensure I was not going crazy some how misread the instructions (which of course can happen ;-)) .
As mentioned, the book offers 25 projects. Of which, I would like at some stage, to make at 12-15 of those. I think that is a great return of investment. For this reason and the enjoyment I have had in making a couple of the projects already, I would give this book a rating of 4/5.
Projects
I have made at two of the projects from the book so far. Both of which I had a lot of fun making and had the chance to practice different techniques.
Sea Spray: This was made from the “Crystallized” pattern by Angela Mitchell’s (page 82). This was the my first attempt using HST and low volumes.
The Metro: This project is one of the first in the book and is an easy, quick project. Great for beginners. I used this project to practice improvisational piecing (at least the fabric selection) + straight line quilting.
I plan to make more of the patterns, as I just joined the Threadbias Pillow Pop Sew Along (and yes it was in my plan ;-)). It would be great to see you all over there. It starts in January, and there are plenty of projects throughout the year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Give-away
One brand new copy of Pillow Pop will be given away, all you need to do is leave a comment on what is your favorite pillow pattern you have tried or your current favorite craft book. There is a second chance to win if you are a follower, just leave a second comment. A winner will be chosen at random and announced after 6pm next Tuesday.
A disclaimer, all reviews and opinions of the books reviewed will be mine, unless otherwise stated. Please note, I may not respond to all comments due to volume and bandwidth.
Factotum of Arts 
1. My current favourite is Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison (Stash Books). I love it because the quilts are bright, non-intimidating and use up every last scrap I can’t bear to throw away. And I’d like to win the book because I fight a losing battle with my husband for sofa pillows every night. I need some more!
2. I follow
3. Oh oh oh. This is a book I have on my wish list. So good. I’ve coveted it from your blog and Barnes and noble. My favorite craft book? Tulas 100 blocks. Which I don’t own. Hahaha.
4. And shoo. You know I follow.
I’m already working on my sew along cushion!!! I’m so excited to work on all these cushions, and I’m definitely glad for the TB ladies for posting about the errors in the measurements before we start!! o_o (ps My favourite craft book right now is Simply Retro by Camille Roskelley. Love her work!! But I don’t need to be in the giveaway since I have the book! ;))
5. If I win the book, I’ll join the sew-a-long! I like the off-center chevron pillow especially.
6. I follow!! And I really appreciate your book reviews! Hope you’ll soon be feeling better. Happy New Year!
7. Of the pillows I have made the one based on a lone-star block is my favorite. Would love this book, always need new ideas for pillows. Thanks for the chance.
8. Following you on Bloglovin.
9. Simply Retro is my current favorite quilt book, even though it isn’t really new 😉
10. My favourite book is modern bee
11. and I follow you by email
Happy new year
X
12. I recently just tried my hand at pillows and am really enjoying it so I will have to check that book out for sure, or possibly win it 🙂 I am currently enjoying the new zakka book, as I am working on the Swedish blooms
13. I am also following you here on WordPress
14. My current favorite book is Vintage Quilt Revival. I’ve never made a pillow, but it’s on my New Year’s list, since I have a naked window seat that desperately needs to be pillowed.
15. I follow via bloglovin! And thanks for the giveaway 🙂
16. I love your cushion! great colours!
My current favourite book is Lucie Summer’s Quilt Improv – it’s at the top of my Amazon wishlist!
17. I follow via email
18. Yay!! Thanks for the chance to win this book!! FINGERS CROSSED REALLY TIGHT:-)
I love the pillow pattern “Southwestern Pillow” from the book Quilting Modern! I made two at the same time!! I love those pillows and that book!!
xo, Jessica
juceyj03@gmail.com
19. I’m a follower via bloglovin:-)
*Jessica
juceyj03@gmail.com
20. I have only made simple pillows with envelope backing. With this book I could learn more. Thanks for the chance to win it.
21. I follow you by e-mail..
22. My current favorite book is 15 Minutes of Play by Victoria Findlay Wolfe.
23. Of course I’m a follower.
24. Gorgeous Sea Spray. The quilting on it is perfect !
25. Yay I am an email follower. Happy New Year to you 🙂
26. My favourite quilting book is Sunday Morning Quilts, I love the scrappy look and the first one I made was Gumdrops which looks really fun. Would you believe I have never made a cushion! I am aiming to make some this year, as you say they are a great size for practising skills.
27. i follow with Bloglovin. Thanks for a great giveaway.
28. I like both your pillows and also appreciate the thoughtful review. I agree that 12/25 projects = value. I’ve made many cushions and pillows, but I’ve never used an actual pattern, so I’d love to try some new piecing and quilting techniques on a small scale 🙂
29. I’ve yet to make a pillow, it is on my bucket list. My current favorite craft book is Bonnie Hunter’s Leaders and Enders…a Christmas gift. Thanks for the review of the book. Having so many patterns you want to make is a good endorsement.
30. I am a follower with RSS Feeds.
31. Happy New Year. Currently my favourite book is Quilting Happiness.
32. I follow your wonderful blog
33. My favorite quilted pillow design right now are dresden plates
34. I’ve never made a pillow from a pattern. I made my first two pillows a few months ago. One was just whole cloth and the other was HSTs. I love your HST and LV pillow!
35. I’m a follower
36. I think I’m more likely to win if I say my Push Me, Pull Me pillows. 😉 Those were pretty awesome.
37. Follow on bloglovin’
Pingback: Pillow Pop Sew Along! | Riddle and Whimsy
38. My favourite craft book at the moment is ‘countryside softies’ by Amy Adams. I’ve made loads of cute animals using the book.
I got married and so moved into my husbands tiny flat 18 months ago, and we desperately need to re-decorate. I’m hoping to make the cushions myself so this book looks like it would be very handy.
39. My favorite right now is Vintage Quilt Revival. Can’t wait to get started making some things from it but I can’t decide where to start! If I win the book, I will join the ThreadBias Pillow Pop Along. So far I’ve just been watching everyone else’s. — Audrey (HawkFan from TB)
40. And, I follow you via Feed Demon (and on TB)
41. I am currently planning some projects from Patchwork, please. Happy New Year from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
42. I am happy to follow you on Bloglovin. Happy New Year from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
43. The Sea Spray pillow is my favorite.
44. I follow you on bloglovin.
45. I have not made a cushion before but it is one of my goals for this new year!
46. Following w/ bloglovn
47. Right now, my favorite book is Patchwork Please. I did a little Star Trek pillow for a friend. I would love this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
48. Follow on bloglovin.