Book Review

Surely you have heard of Cherri and the City Quilts book by now. Cherri is an amazing quilt maker and pattern designer with a specialty in using solid fabrics to great effect. City Quilts is one of the most talked-about quilting books to hit the market in a long time, mostly because of its combination of beautiful new quilt patterns and insightful tips into choosing effective fabric combinations, especially when using solids.

Every stop on the tour will feature amazing giveaways, including copies of the City Quilts book and fat quarter stacks of Kona Cotton Solids from Robert Kaufman fabrics for you to make your own version of a City Quilts design.

Here the full schedule for the tour.

July 12th – Cheryl Arkison (Naptime Quilter)
July 13th – Amy Lobsiger (Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts)
July 14th – Stefanie Roman (Little Lady Patchwork)
July 15th – Pat Sloan
July 16th – Spool Sewing
July 17th – Allie (Robert Kaufman)
July 18th – Fat Quarterly
July 19th – Emily Cier (Carolina Patchworks)
July 20th – Sarah/Josh (Sewer Sewist)
July 21st – Julie (Jaybird Quilts)
July 22nd – Vickie Eapen (Spun Sugar Quilts)
July 23rd – Jessica Levitt (Juicy Bits)
July 24th – Kim Kight (True Up)

Be sure to visit all of the stops on the tour to learn more about Cherri & City Quilts and to maximize your chance of winning. We’ll see you back here on the 18th!

Are you taking part in Pillow Talk Swap or inspired to whip up a pillow? You might want to check out this great new book from Lark.

Pretty Little Pillows is new in the series of pretty little books from Lark. With 29 varied pillows there is lots to fire your imagination and get your creative juices flowing.

The book starts with a chapter on basic sewing techniques and some more specific tips about making pillows, including how to make different types of pillow backs and how to make pillow forms.

The book is then divided into 3 categories.

Creative Stitching has pillows with embroidered or appliqu?d details.

“Flying dreams are the sweetest. Let this little work of avian-inspired art send you soaring to slumberland with wings outstretched.”

Pillow designed by Kajsa Wikman.

“Smocking, a traditional technique for gathering fabric, makes a stylish comeback with these exquisite pillows. Heavily patterned fabric adds another decorative dimension to these not-so-square designs.”

Pillow design by Amanda Hanley.

Pretty piecing and cute quilting focuses on how to bring your pillow to life through patchwork and quilting designs.

“If you?re the type who just can?t decide on one fabric, you?ll enjoy this project that puts a happy dozen in the spotlight. Circular designs, spiraling surface stitches, and an easy grid pattern bring everything together.”

Pillow design by Malka Dubrawsky.

“Enjoy a taste of chocolate now and then? So do we. These delectable pillows feature sweet, little truffle shapes and dark-chocolate-dipped color. Yum!”

Pillow design by Amanda Carestio.

Surprising Spins has unusual shaped pillows such as a cunning pillow box hideaway perfect for storing your sewing supplies out of sight.

Other contributors include Elizabeth Hartman, Aimee Ray, Ruth Singer, Jennifer Cooke, Yvonne Eijkenduijn and many others.

It is a book that gets you thinking outside the box when it comes to pillows. Even if some of the pillows might not be to your taste the creativity behind them will certainly spark off your own ideas.

Stay tuned to find out how you might be able to win a copy of this book for yourself. In the meantime let us know are you a pillow lover, are you taking part in the pillow swap, what type of pillows do you like to make?

Created by Kathreen Ricketson, ‘Whip Up Mini Quilts’ is a book showcasing 24 contemporary small quilt patterns.

A few weeks ago, Kathreen took some time out of motherhood and Whip Up to answer a few questions about the book.