The Paper-Pieced Home // Sewing Book Review

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I recently received a review copy of Penny Layman'sThe Paper-Pieced Home from Interweave/F+W. I've really enjoyed reading through the book (in between packing and moving), and chose to make the Layer Cake Block (block #4). I don't have a lot of sewing time right now, and I'm also not great at decorating and celebrating holidays. I thought it would be fun to turn the Layer Cake Block into a mini-quilt or table topper for birthday celebrations! I picked fabrics, printed the pattern, and it is waiting for me as soon as I can unpack my sewing machine!

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The Paper-Pieced Home DetailsTitle: The Paper-Pieced Home: Quilting a Household One Block at a TimeAuthor: Penny Layman, author of Sew Take A HikeSoftcover, 135 pages, published by Interweave/F+WList Price: $26.99Why I Would Recommend a Friend Take a LookIf paper-piecing is your thing, or you want to learn to paper piece, this is a great book for you. The patterns (included on a CD that comes with the book!) range from fairly simple to quite complex. If you like a retro/modern vibe, you will love the quilt blocks in this book.DesignThe book is well designed--the layout and font are easy to follow/read, and it is a beautiful book. I appreciate that there is a full color picture of each of the 40 blocks, as well as styled shots of the 10 additional projects.LayoutThe first (12 page) chapter is an introduction to paper-piecing--Penny suggests tools, walks you through a well illustrated lesson on how to paper piece, and offers a lot of hints, tips, and tricks, on everything from fabric selection to pressing your blocks. I have been meaning to buy a seam roller for years, and finally did thanks to this chapter.The second (10 page) chapter covers things that are beyond the basics--fussy cutting, y-seams, embroidery, appliqué, etc. I thought this was a helpful inclusion.The remaining chapters are titled Kitchy Kitchen, Wear It!, Retro Home (don't you love the couch!), Create & Organize, Playtime, and Get Outdoors! Each chapter has multiple projects using one or more of the blocks.The last few pages include Resources and Selected Templates.Clear Instructions and IllustrationsI made (started) the layer cake block, which is one of the more time intensive paper pieced blocks. I found the instructions to be clear and easy to follow, although I am an experienced paper piecer. If you are a beginner, I suggest trying a block like Watermelon Slice (#39) first.ProjectsEach chapter includes a few projects that you can make with a block from that chapter (or any chapter, really). Sometimes it is difficult to decide what to do with a solo block--the book includes instructions for making hot pads, a grocery tote (shown here using the Fruit Bowl block), a trio of pillows,  and a baby quilt, among other things.Attention to DetailIf you are familiar with Penny's work, you will know she has a distinct style, and pays attention to details. I think what I liked most about this book was seeing the different fabrics she chose for each block. You can tell she really thinks about scale, pattern, directional prints, etc. I am not always a deliberate quilter--the complexity of many of these patterns means I wanted to be a bit more deliberate in my choices.

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Paper Pieced Home book

Paper Pieced Home book

I Wish the Book IncludedThe Paper-Pieced Home includes fabric requirements to make each block, for example, 6'' of the yellow solid for the cake frosting (totally made up the specifics). The book does not include directions for what size to cut each piece (so it doesn't say cut a 2" x 2" square for  A1). This isn't a deal breaker--it isn't that difficult to cut things to size based on looking at the pattern, especially since you aren't typically making 30 identical blocks--but it would have been a nice inclusion. Having written a book, I know that often times these things are the publisher's decision.InspirationI make a lot of things for other people. This book made me want to sit down and make something for me! At some point in the near future, I'm definitely making the claw foot tub block--we have had one in our Portland house and we loved it.Giveaway/Are you interested in seeing more?Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of The Paper-Pieced Home (in the US) or an electronic version (outside the US).You can leave any comment for a chance to win, or if you want, leave a comment with your favorite home organization tip. With two big moves in less than 9 months, I can use the all the help I can get!Visit one (or all!) of the stops on the blog tour for the Paper-Pieced Home below:3/16       McCall’s Quilting / Sewing Machine Block3/17       Love of Quilting / Review3/17       Sandi Sawa Hazlewood  of Crafty Planner / Watering Can Block3/18       Quilty Pleasure (Quiltmaker blog) / Review3/18       Imagine Gnats / Rotary Phone Block3/20       Verykerryberry / Lion Block3/21       Artisania / Cast-Iron Skillet Block3/23       Where the Orchids Grow / Lamp Block3/24       Katie Blakesley of Swim Bike Quilt / Layer Cake Block3/24       House on Hill Road / Oven Mitt Block3/24       Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced / BBQ Grill Block3/26       Pink Penguin / Allie-Gator Block3/26       A Happy Stitch / Giraffe Block3/27       Bijou Lovely / Jar Block3/27       Two Little Banshees / Saucepan Bloc3/27       Charise Creates / Espresso Mug Block3/30       Karen Lewis Textiles / Couch Block3/31       Poppyprint / Clawfoot Tub Block3/31       One Shabby Chick / Stack of Books Block3/31       During Quiet Time / Sleeveless Dress Block4/06       Pat Sloan The Voice of Quilting / Author Podcast InterviewThe Paper-Pieced Home: Quilting a Household One Block at a TimeBy Penny LaymanInterweave/F+W; $26.99http://bit.ly/1zClNAv