Customer Reviews

Pillows: Home Living Workbooks

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best pillow book I've ever seen. It has many different designs to copy and/or use as inspiration. The photos are exquisite and the layout is quite ingenious. Each pillow project is explained on a fold-out page. It also comes spiral-bound, so it lays flat while you're working. I highly recommend it.

I BORROWED this book from my local public library and felt I had to write to a review on this book. I have perused 100's of home decor/pillow/fabric books of recent with an eye for the latest up-to-date techniques and trendy designs. I hit pay dirt when I found "Pillows." "Pillows" is a wonderful resource for fresh, easy, decorator-style pillows that even a beginner could master. "Pillows" contains over 100 pillows in demonstrative photos with 20 easy to make projects of which the finished product could be sold in stores. "Pillows" is designer inspired pillow decor for even the novice seamstress.

INTRODUCTION
First, I will start by saying, there are MANY positive features about this book. First the book is hard bound with a glossy, heavy, cardstock spill resistant cover on front and back. It is double coil spiral bound with the COVERED spine of the book bracing the front and back covers. This results in little or no strain on the pages hinged on the coil. This feature almost eliminates the inevitable with other spiral bound tomes-no accidentally ripped out pages! Aesthetically this book is a chameleon. When closed the spine looks like that of any other book. Only when it is opened is the spiral coil and its true flexibility revealed. The inner pages of 'Pillows' are semi-gloss finish on lightweight cardstock; the thickness of the actual pages being approximately three times that of notebook paper-purposefully stolid without being rigid. Also there are no kraft (economy paper) pages whatsoever in this book. Every page is gloss or semi-gloss with a laminated spill-resistant finish.

FORMAT OF THE BOOK
Every project starts on the left-hand side of the book. At the top of that page there is an introductory primer on the style, use etc. of the pillow. The primer consists of no more than six lines and is very helpful. Below that is a "thumbnail" (2" x 2") sized, full color photo and toward the bottom of the page, materials themselves needed to complete the project. Directly opposite on the right-hand side of the book is a full-page, full color photo of the project. Now, here is the beauty of this book: the right-hand page is a foldout page in the fashion of a greeting card (opening from the left to the right) in which the FULL instruction for completing the project is enclosed! Each and every project is contained and complete in this fashion-within the two open-faced pages that comprise the left and right sides of the particular sheet. There is no need to search for the instructions or the continuation of the instructions. This feature alone makes it exceptional as numerous craft books I have encountered have the instructions,

1] on multiple pages,
2] interspersed within other projects in the book (think of the headache), or
3] at the end of the book with small or no notation as to the project for which the current instructions are designed,

I was so pleased with this fold-out feature it is the #2 reason on my list that makes this book tops in its class as a do-it-yourself craft book in any category! The #1 reason I consider this book to be so exceptional, is the projects themselves.

INSTRUCTIONS
Unlike many craft books that have the project photos in color but the instructions in black and white, that is not the case here. The instructions are full color, glossy paper and replete with all the necessary information. Too, the author Katrin Cargill makes no leaps of assumption. Every step is explained in a WYSIWYG format. The instruction given in the caption under or adjacent to each photo is demonstrated-in-the-photo. The instructions are step-by-step with the APPROPRIATE ACCOMPANYING illustration. And when I say, "illustration"-take it lightly. I had to go back and open the book just to determine whether the images were actual photos or illustrations. They are illustrations. And I will say, in this instance, a photo would not do justice the way these illustrations are able. They are well drawn with not too much nor too little detail, are colorful, and fitting with the exceptional character of this book. The illustrations and written instructions are so well planned there is little room for confusion. Additionally, the instructions are numbered and given in bite-sized pieces of only 2-3 actions per numbered item. Finally, this right-hand instruction page opens out to a huge 14 inches wide X 12 inches long so there is ample room for the step-by-step instruction and illustrations without crowding of any entry.

PROJECTS
As for the projects themselves as I said previously there are 20 projects. All are new, fresh or innovative versions of staid pillow styles. Many of the projects lend themselves to designer quality. From the "Fastened with Tassels" pillow which features a never before seen hemstitch edge (aka pulled threadwork usually seen on upscale napkins) this pillow is constructed over an inner insert of fine silk, to the charming "Ball Fringe in the Round" pillow with frayed-edge dotted swiss banding to the "Crazy Velvet(!) Patchwork" gold-threaded pillow to the "Taffeta Double Ruffle" pillow (think Christmas decor), every project is refreshing and new. Plus, all the pillows have...

1] great eye appeal
2] excellent design quality, and
3] are easy to make

What impressed me as well is that the book contained several projects, for which I had already sketched similar designs in my portfolio earmarked for future production. To be exact they are the "Double-Flanged" pillow, "Fastened with Tassels" pillow and "Scallops and Zigzags" pillow. The techniques outlined to make these pillows were so efficient I threw out my prototypes! I will use "Pillows'" techniques instead. It should also be noted, there are no patterns. Just squares of fabric for which definite dimensions are given.

READY REFERENCE
As for the overall book format, the design and structure is as well thought out as the projects therein. As the first Amazon reviewer said this book is spiral bound which makes for easy reading while working-"it lays flat!" The measurement of the book closed is 7 inches by 12 inches-another unusual but well thought out feature-it is perfect for use when constructing the pillows therein and can be used with ease on the sewing machine cabinet top or tabletop while working.

As mentioned by the second Amazon reviewer this book is worth purchasing two copies! As a reference the index includes not only the names and addresses of the suppliers of the fabric but a schematic drawing for all pillows featured in the book: listing the fabric, trimmings and/or where to purchase the accessory pillows not included in the projects. The index is the icing on the cake. It's 3:34am, and I had to write about this refreshing and innovative entry into the crafts arena. Needless to say, although I borrowed this copy from my local library I will be purchasing two copies for my personal use.

NO NEGATIVES
The only possible feature left out of this book is the projected time for completing a project. However, this may not have been an oversight as it is obvious from the instruction that the projects are "one-and-done". My projected time for completing ANY project in the book is,

(For the novice) 2:30 - 4:00 hours
(For intermediate) :45 - :90 minutes
(For the advanced) :45 minutes or less

As more reviews come in on this book expect them all to be five star. This is a wonderful project book I feel could be an inspiration not only to home makers and interior designers, but as well in a high school forum as part of a home economy sewing class. The students would benefit by making store ready items without the normal frustration and toil. Furthermore they would have a sense of real achievement straight from the block. It is books such as "Pillows" that lend inspiration to future designers, everyday crafters-and in this age of eBay, Etsy, and Amazon.com-tomorrow's do-it-yourself entrepreneurs. It's a wonderful book.

Another must for any interior designer! This book tops all pillow books I have ever seen. I use this book so much, I purchased a 2nd copy "just in case" something happens to the original. I believe it is out of print but still available. All of Katrin Cargill's books are a must for any designers library!