Tag Archives: Pillow pop

Surprise Gift – Chicopee

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You know how you meet people and instantaneously you have that connection. You know they are a best-ie (translation: best friend) immediately. I was so surprised to have the same experiences in the Social Media world. Ashley @ Wasn’t Quilt in a Day, is one such connection.

She has a love…obsession (??) for Denyse Schmidt’s Chicopee line and she works so hard in her teaching job that over the winter break I decided I wanted to do something special for her. Low and behold, she mentioned how much she had loved my Sea Spray pillow. Done, that will be what I make using her favorite Chicopee.

I have been posting progress on a pillow on IG (Instagram) for a while now, without her knowing, to see how she responds to the various choices. Here is the final product – which I think turned out great!

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A close-up of the quilting, which is just straight line quilting at ~1/8 inch about on the low volume prints.
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I decided to use a new technique, to me, for the zipper. I typically use an invisible zipper but I do not have the right foot yet for my new machine. As such I used a standard zipper but I wanted to still have it hidden. I found this fantastic tutorial by S.O.T.A.K handmade for making such a closure.

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So the details…
Fabric: Denyse Schmidt Chicopee + Essex Linen Med. Aqua
Size: 20″ x 20″
Design: Crystallized from the book Pillow Pop

Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.

Book Review Tuesday: Pillow Pop

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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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

Brown bag challenge finished

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One of my favorite craft books at the moment is Pillow Pop.

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I have previously made a pillow from it – Sea Spray. When the brown bag challenge came up in our guild,  and I pulled these two fabrics, I decided I would make another one from the book.

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You can check out the rest of the challenge rules here. The is” The Metro” pillow pattern. I love how it turned out. I still think this bicycle fabric is fabulous.

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I did some straight line quilting in a triangular pattern in each quarter. I used chalk to mark the diagonals and then the center lines as a guide, and then sewed 1″ lines using my walking foot and guide (to ensure the 1″ distance).MetroPillowQuilting

I also decided to try out some variegated thread in blue tones. I really liked it and will be using it again on some future projects. You can see the color changes a little more clearly here.
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One final view of the pillow, in use, in our backyard. It is a lovely fall day here, so a perfect opportunity for some photos.MetroPillowFinished

This month is Craft book month @ Craftbuds.com, where they are running a link up when you post about your favorite craft book and project from that book.
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