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Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase is the first book in a new re-crafting series from Lark Books. (Go, Lark!) The intro chapter talks about how this idea was influenced by the online craft community, and the way we create these creative challenges for ourselves. (So, given that I’ve been talking lately about building bridges between the online craft world and the mainstream, this is great.)
Pillowcases are a good place to start this sort of series, ripe as they are with creative possibility. And I’m very impressed with the range of projects this group of designers came up with.
Aren’t those pinafores on the cover cute? A great way to make use of an embroidered and edged vintage pillowcase. They’re designed by Stitchy McYarnpants.
Oh – and here’s another: Lee Ann Edwards‘ Layer Cake Apron. Adorable.
All of the projects in the book are fairly simple, straightforward sewing. There’s a basics chapter that covers all the tools and notions you’ll need, and instructions for all the sewing and embroidery techniques used in the projects. Everything is nicely illustrated and written in a friendly tone.
I’d say that this is a great book for seamsters who’ve had a little sewing experience – advanced beginners. While the instructions are certainly very beginner-friendly, there are a few techniques, like applying an edge binding, where the book instructions might have confused me if I hadn’t done it before.
That said, I picked up a few tips that were new to me, like measuring along a curve with a tape measure. (Turn it on its edge. BING! Why had that never occurred to me before?)
I like how different these projects are from pillowcase crafts I’ve seen online. Yes, there is a cute pillowcase skirt, and yes, several little-girl dresses. And then there’s this robe, by Joan K. Morris! It’s made from two king-size pillowcases, and the construction is ingeniously simple.
You’ll also find several great bag projects here. This one’s by Judi Music. And Cassi Griffin contributed a cute reversible design that has me kicking myself. I left a pair of perfect pink-and-orange vintage floral cases behind at Goodwill last week. Aarrrggghh.
There are several cute things for kids – my favorite being Stacy Dinkle‘s superhero cape. Best use of a satin pillowcase ever.
I’m pretty crazy about this patchwork of vintage florals, too. Katie Trott designed these coasters. And now I want a quilt.
So, just to give you a snapshot, you’ll also find pillowcases turned into pajama pants, cuff bracelets, a trivet, a dog bed, lampshades, a softie, a reverse-appliqued scarf, a reversible sun hat, a TV remote caddy, and (I kid you not) an ironing board cover. Among other things.
(In the interest of thoroughness, I want to mention that for this lovely crocheted bowl by Jennifer Thoma, if you’ve never crocheted before, you might want to find a basic tutorial online to help you master single crochet before you dive into this project.)
Lark’s Pillowcase Challenge:
If you want to get into the pillowcase act, Lark is celebrating the release of this book with a pillowcase contest. Three winners will receive a copy of this very book, plus nine other Lark crafty titles. Woo! You can get all the details over here. And the deadline to enter is April 30th.
Oh my… my dirty little secret obsession has suddenly gotten an outlet! I have like 100 vintage pillowcases that I have been collecting for years hidden away in my linen closet. I don’t want to use them in fear of ruining the lovely embroidery on them.. I MUST get this book so I can start using them! That apron will more than likely be at the top of my list!
Thanks Diane for posting this!
~R~
Oh my… my dirty little secret obsession has suddenly gotten an outlet! I have like 100 vintage pillowcases that I have been collecting for years hidden away in my linen closet. I don’t want to use them in fear of ruining the lovely embroidery on them.. I MUST get this book so I can start using them! That apron will more than likely be at the top of my list!
Thanks Diane for posting this!
~R~
What a FANTASTIC review of such a lovely book! My fave is the robe. It looks so crisp and cool!
What a FANTASTIC review of such a lovely book! My fave is the robe. It looks so crisp and cool!
Love the handbag and the sweet little aprons!
Love the handbag and the sweet little aprons!
I’m with Allison; a FANTASTIC review. I will be on the lookout for this one. Thanks again; you give so much to the crafting world.
I’m with Allison; a FANTASTIC review. I will be on the lookout for this one. Thanks again; you give so much to the crafting world.
Awesome! Thrifted linens are my weakness.
Awesome! Thrifted linens are my weakness.
what a interesting book! I had all kinds of old pillowcases that would have been perfect for some of those things. Never thought to use them to make anything else. hmm the pillowcases we have no would make some nice things lol
what a interesting book! I had all kinds of old pillowcases that would have been perfect for some of those things. Never thought to use them to make anything else. hmm the pillowcases we have no would make some nice things lol
This is great! I love simple stuff like this and not having to troll through Craftster for the cool pillowcase stuff will be great. :) Anything combining thrifting and crafting in my book is great, anyway. Thanks for the fab review!
This is great! I love simple stuff like this and not having to troll through Craftster for the cool pillowcase stuff will be great. :) Anything combining thrifting and crafting in my book is great, anyway. Thanks for the fab review!
I think the cape is just brilliant.
I think the cape is just brilliant.
Ooh, I looked through this book at the bookstore. It’s definitely on the wishlist. There were some really gorgeous projects inside!
Ooh, I looked through this book at the bookstore. It’s definitely on the wishlist. There were some really gorgeous projects inside!
I’m *loving* your stat box for book reviews. You should give it a title like, “Crafty Pod Book Report Stats” or maybe something else that is a little catchier and doesn’t suck. :) And then people can say, “I love book reviews on Crafty Pod because she has that awesome ‘Craft Stat Box.’” (that name’s a stinker, too, but you get what I mean).
You’re rockin’ it, Diane!
I’m *loving* your stat box for book reviews. You should give it a title like, “Crafty Pod Book Report Stats” or maybe something else that is a little catchier and doesn’t suck. :) And then people can say, “I love book reviews on Crafty Pod because she has that awesome ‘Craft Stat Box.’” (that name’s a stinker, too, but you get what I mean).
You’re rockin’ it, Diane!
I’ve got a tutorial on youtube that you can use for stripping up pillowcases. I’m making yarn out of a plastic bag in the video, but it’s the same principle for anything that’s a tube. You can use it on jumpers, trousers, anything really. Hope this helps anyone who wants to crochet or knit their pillowcases.
the link is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESQbELunPZg&feature=channel_page
rockpool candy
I’ve got a tutorial on youtube that you can use for stripping up pillowcases. I’m making yarn out of a plastic bag in the video, but it’s the same principle for anything that’s a tube. You can use it on jumpers, trousers, anything really. Hope this helps anyone who wants to crochet or knit their pillowcases.
the link is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESQbELunPZg&feature=channel_page
rockpool candy
Thank you! I made the dresses on the cover and I was so excited when I saw them on there. I’m so delighted to be in such great company with the book, there are loads of amazing projects, and the book itself is beautiful.
Once you start collecting pillowcases, it’s really hard to stop. :) Enjoy!
Thank you! I made the dresses on the cover and I was so excited when I saw them on there. I’m so delighted to be in such great company with the book, there are loads of amazing projects, and the book itself is beautiful.
Once you start collecting pillowcases, it’s really hard to stop. :) Enjoy!
[...] another great book review that I had to share with you! It’s from someone that has no personal ties with me, so is [...]
They’re all so cute! I can’t decide which one is my favorite.
Oh, wait a minute…I pick Katie Trott’s, my sister and crafter extraordinaire.
They’re all so cute! I can’t decide which one is my favorite.
Oh, wait a minute…I pick Katie Trott’s, my sister and crafter extraordinaire.
Thanks for such a great review~I’m excited to have found your blog as well as such a great crafting community.
This book is a fun mix of project ideas and I’m so honored to be among the designers featured in it (Layer Cake Apron).
Thanks for such a great review~I’m excited to have found your blog as well as such a great crafting community.
This book is a fun mix of project ideas and I’m so honored to be among the designers featured in it (Layer Cake Apron).
Wow! What a fabulous review of one of my new favorite books! It was my honor and pleasure to be a part of such an excellent Lark publication. I hope that my crocheted bowl will turn some people on to fabric crochet…I know that I have found some great new ideas for my own pillowcase stash in this book!
Wow! What a fabulous review of one of my new favorite books! It was my honor and pleasure to be a part of such an excellent Lark publication. I hope that my crocheted bowl will turn some people on to fabric crochet…I know that I have found some great new ideas for my own pillowcase stash in this book!
Jen’s Bowl is so bright and cheerful…… and that robe….. Super idea! I am in awe by all the talented people in this publication. I may have to get my hands on this book sooner then later =)
Jen’s Bowl is so bright and cheerful…… and that robe….. Super idea! I am in awe by all the talented people in this publication. I may have to get my hands on this book sooner then later =)
what a wonderful review! i have to say, that as a proud owner of a couple of jennifer thoma’s creations, her workmanship and attention to detail are top notch.
every one of the creations in the book are just outstanding and makes me wish i knew how to crochet or use a sewing machine. congrats to all that were featured.
what a wonderful review! i have to say, that as a proud owner of a couple of jennifer thoma’s creations, her workmanship and attention to detail are top notch.
every one of the creations in the book are just outstanding and makes me wish i knew how to crochet or use a sewing machine. congrats to all that were featured.
[...] And if you haven’t run out of pillowcases yet (or a trip to Goodwill is on the agenda) you should definitely have a look at this book. Review by CraftyPod. [...]
This is brilliant. I love to repurpose. My husband would like for me to do it a bit more quickly so items don't gather up. But, it is amazing how a little clever twist can give an item new life. :) This book is on my list to buy. :)
This is brilliant. I love to repurpose. My husband would like for me to do it a bit more quickly so items don't gather up. But, it is amazing how a little clever twist can give an item new life. :) This book is on my list to buy. :)