20 Designer Pillows to Make at Home; A Book Review

I borrowed this book from my local public library and felt I had to write to an 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. Katrin Cargill is the author.

Introduction
First, I will start by saying, there are many positive features about this book. First the book is hardback with a glossy, spill resistant cover on both 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 books-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 firm without being rigid. Also, there are no kraft (economy paper) pages whatsoever in this book. Every page is glossy or semi-gloss with a laminated spill-resistant finish.

Format of 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 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. I was so pleased with this fold-out feature, it is ties with the #1 reason on my list that makes this book tops in its class as a do-it-yourself craft book in any category! The other #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 with Pillows. 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 What You See Is What You Get format. The instruction given in the caption 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 chunks of only 1-3 actions per numbered item. Finally, this right-hand instruction page opens out to a huge 14 inches wide x 12 inches wide, so there's 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 hemstitch edge (aka pulled threadwork usually seen on upscale napkins, [and 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 and the Taffeta Double Ruffle pillow (think Christmas decor), every project is refreshing and new. Plus, all the pillows have great eye appeal, excellent design quality, and 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 Zigzag 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 in Pillows. 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. A reviewer on another site said it best, 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's perfect for use when constructing the pillows therein and can be used with ease on the sewing machine cabinet top or tabletop while working.

No Negatives
The only possible feature left out of this book is the projected time for completing a project. No problem. Every project is so easy, I envision even a complete novice could make a project with little difficulty. I estimate the following times for any given project;

• novice seamstress 2:30 - 4:00 hours
• intermediate :45 - :90 minutes, and
• advanced :45 minutes or less