Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Gift Post

Good morning!!! Day three of the hop! Today is Terry Atkinson's day and I can't tell you how much I have admired Terry. I think her instructions and graphics are some of the best out there, and I'm pretty sure I own almost all of her books. And I have made tons of her projects for myself and as gifts.
This pile of junky worn looking fabric represents the most popular gift I ever made. TO THIS DAY!!! QUILLOWS. Crazy huh?
I think one thing you'll notice about the photo (besides the dog fur) is that they're not folded in their pillow form. One year I found cute novelty fabric and made Frankie, and my nieces and nephew each a quillow. It seemed like a fun kid thing. Kind of a pain to make and when they were done I was glad to be finished because sewing that pillow part onto the blanket part was a bit of a pain. And let me backtrack and say I'm thinking by the time I had gotten to quillow, I'd made everyone a nice pieced quilt, including the adults.
The adults were NUTS over them and the next year I had to make quillows for all of them. And of course find themed novelty flannel to go with each adult, my brother-in-law liked the Taz, my sister-in-law collects penguins.. you get the idea. I couldn't believe it then and still can't believe it now. I guess I should have known, they are gadget people and I think that quillow's are the gadget of the quilting world. A quilt that turns into a pillow.. or is that visa versa? I think you can search and find many many patterns out there so you too can make a Christmas sensation.
So that's my crazy gift making story. Now lets all head over and check out Terry's blog and see what she has in store for us! See you tomorrow!
P.S. Carol in Rock Hill, SC you are the magazine winner, please email me your info!

37 Comments:

Blogger Wendy said...

My sister just made a quillow for a toddler and now the brother and sister fight over it so she has to make another. Sounds like it's a hit of a gift.

4:38 AM  
Blogger Wendy said...

I love quillows! My mom made a bunch when I was probably in high school. I think I've only made 1, maybe 2, but I absolutely love them! Maybe I'll make another! My kids would LOVE them!

5:00 AM  
Blogger mascanlon said...

Hmm, I'm with you Pam. Its a pain to attach the pillow portion and just easier to make a matching pillow but not as fun for the recipients I guess.

5:33 AM  
Blogger Jewel said...

Aww I remember the Quillow days... I made a pile for a bazaar... your are right what a pain!

5:46 AM  
Blogger Jenny said...

Haven't made them. I have a little book about making super-quick rag quilts so everyone always gets those from me. And, again, your blog header just made me smile the second I opened it. Thanks!

5:58 AM  
Blogger Margi said...

I still love making and giving quillows. My daughters was a gift to her from me when she was 11 and it finally had to be put away in storage as it was falling apart, multiple repairs and it was finally just time to tuck it in the hope chest.

6:06 AM  
Blogger Iva said...

Hmmm..do I want to put myself in a situation where I may have to make tons of quillows. They sound like very desirable gifts; but maybe what my family doesn't know about won't hurt them (or me) :)

7:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Never made a quillow, but I'm sure yours were much loved.

Darlis

7:09 AM  
Blogger Quilting with Pugs said...

I've always wanted to make a quillow. I've seen it on Fons & Porter lots of times. I find it difficult to see the end project from directions. Next Christmas.

7:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I always thought the quillow cool but never made one! Go Figure!

7:52 AM  
Blogger Cindy said...

I'll leave the Quillow making to you. LOL

7:55 AM  
Blogger Ruby said...

I made one and only one. They were a pain to make!

8:30 AM  
Blogger isa & marta said...

Que bueno seria que compartiera un tutorial para el killow,no se como hacerlo.
Hermosa propuesta para regalar

9:02 AM  
Blogger Patty said...

I've never made a quillow, and now I'm not sure I want to!!

Love reading all the stories on this blog hop.

9:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Quillows are fun to make. I make themed pillowcases for all my neices and nephews every year. Tammy L

9:49 AM  
Blogger Missa said...

Thanks for posting this. The last thing my grandma made for me before she passed away was a quillow. That really is what inspired me to quilt.

9:57 AM  
Blogger Julie S said...

My MIL mad a quillow for my daughter. The front had a cross stitched picture on it. It was such a challenge to fold that thing up to fit in the pocket perfectly so the picture was on the front!

10:09 AM  
Anonymous Christine Thomas said...

Yay! for Carol to win.
Quillows...I've heard of them. Now you're making curious about making one. Thanks.

10:12 AM  
Blogger Penne said...

Quillows.........that is a great idea. I a few nieces and nephews that would surely enjoy them. Thanks for the idea.

10:35 AM  
Anonymous Chris G said...

Thanks for sharing your memory.

10:43 AM  
Anonymous Mary-Kay said...

I just saw a quillow on someone's blog and it was gorgeous. I wanted to make one right then and there and she sent me the link for the pattern. One year I made my sons and most of my nieces flannel pajama pants. I still have a scar on my arm from the iron when I was making them. Needless to say the pants were a hit and the kids loved them. What was I thinking?

10:59 AM  
Anonymous Marsha said...

Couldn't believe the topic is quillows. I just made the second one of seven for Christmas gifts. I'm making them very simple. Not hard to attach the pocket with the walking foot. I'm using the Fons and Porter pattern from a few years ago. Super simple. I'm just on the way upstairs to work on the third one.

11:16 AM  
Blogger Jo Anne said...

I remember years ago when quillows were all the rage. Now they are back in a big way.

11:34 AM  
Blogger Jocelyn said...

Isn't it funny how such a simple gift can be such a hit :-)

12:17 PM  
Blogger Penny said...

Well you were able to come up with a "hit." It's nice knowing that people like what you've made.

2:19 PM  
Blogger lovetostitch said...

ahhhhhh - the quillow phase!!! Now everyone just cares if they get a quilt from me, and if they mention the part about being able to put their feet in the pocket part - give them a pair of socks!!!

2:26 PM  
Blogger lisa said...

a quillow was my firat sewing projct. I paper pieced the folded pillow top and did the rest the normal dull way. I was so proud of it and my brother kept stealing it so he was sent to sewing class with me and madehis own. We still have his, and lost mine ages ago.

3:14 PM  
Blogger SheilaC said...

I have a quillow that a friend of mine made me years ago when they were the rage here,.... They are great!

Sheila


shecarita(at)yahoo(dot)com

4:23 PM  
Blogger arlette said...

I love quillows, they're easy to do projects

5:40 PM  
Blogger Jayne Honnold said...

Never, ever heard of a quillow! Sounds rather neat, though! I can see why they'd be a great hit!

7:30 PM  
Blogger Kathi D said...

Mmmmmmmmmmm, quillows!

Guess what I saw in a shop window the other day? One of those smocked round velvet pillows that you are probably too young to remember, but my mother and sister and I made I don't know how many of them in purple velvet once (at band camp--not really). They're baaaaaaaack! Aiiieeeeeeeeee!!! Run!!

12:09 AM  
Blogger Kathi D said...

And don't get me started on RAG QUILTS! Whoever thought it was easier to piece together a bunch of flannel and then make sixty zillion cuts through several layers of it, just down to but not into the seams, than to just piece together a freaking quilt and be done with it?

OK. You got me started.

12:11 AM  
Blogger Kathi D said...

And furthermore, you and Zombie are in another magazine????? Holy crap! What next? Centerfolds??

You guys are RIDICULOUS! RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED!!! I bow to your glory. And back away slowly.

12:15 AM  
Blogger Carol said...

We love quillows at our house. I made 6 one Christmas for my in-laws and children. Just retrieved my late father-in-laws one so we can use it :) My oldest daughter's has been used so much it is falling apart!!!!

5:16 AM  
Anonymous Janelle J said...

Thanks for the project and the great giveaway! Totally respect your love of coffee. Fabric + Coffee = Happiness!

6:55 AM  
Blogger Quilter In Paradise said...

Ive seen the quillow's patterns but have yet to try them... hhmm, might be just the thing for sons and daughters-in-law!
Now, to pick out fabric!!
Beth in Dallas

1:59 PM  
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2:13 AM  

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