Review   Subversive Stitchers: Women Armed with Needles - November 20, 2009
"Sashiko has become such a popular design element and you'll see it used masterfully in many award winning quilts. Not just a design for hand sewing, machine sewing with the right threads and needles (See Sarah Ann Smith's book) is quite stunning. Yet, the author encourages machine quilters: '...Try hand Sashiko. You might be surprised at how fast it goes and how calming it is to sit down and stitch a beautiful Sashiko design.' But Sylvia is not satisfied to let the beauty of Sashiko stand alone. She paired it with applique and added a tropical twist. Here in Florida Asian and tropical go hand in hand whether it be clothes or decor or art and Sylvia and CT Publishing hit a homerun with the pairings and projects featured. Not only does Sylvia offer her own designs to reproduce, including full size patterns, but helps readers to take the steps to make their own innovative quilts. For example, she writes "My favorite design tools are my digital camera, a photocopy machine, and a bit roll of tracing paper." She adds that another way to create compositions is to cut flowers and foliage and arrange them on a dark fabric background. Then photograph them. She provides every bit of information needed to make stunning applique and exquisite Sashiko which means this book can stretch to cover more than one technique you may want to try. And I can't think of a more visually alluring book than this one. Eye candy and inspiration abound..."

Review   The Midwest Book Review - January 1, 2010
“Learn how to hand stitch six quilts inspired by tropical designs…a fine quilting guide that covers both turn-under and fusible appliqué. Even more valuable-create designs from your own photos: a skill that can transfer beyond the tropical theme. With its collection of full-page patterns and tips on hand embroidery embellishments, this teaches how to choose appliqué fabrics to create Sashiko designs.”

Review   The Appliqué Society Newsletter - May 1, 2010
“In Sylvia Pippen's new book “Paradise Stitched” Sylvia encourages the reader to try a particular style of hand embroidery called Sashiko. Sashiko means “little stabs” in Japanese. Sylvia also combines appliqué using her press-over Mylar method but does encourage the reader to try differed appliqué techniques as each technique offers their own unique advantage. Sylvia says “The Mylar method also makes it possible to appliqué some flowers in hand using preformed shapes instead of working petal by petal on the background fabric. A completed flower, fish, or bird can also be embellished with embroidery before appliquéing it to the background fabric”. The book covers materials you will need, including recommended fabrics and has a good section on the basics of Sashiko embroidery. There are six beautiful quilt project patterns included in the book with option for both turn-under and fusible appliqué. Sylvia's quilt gallery will inspire you to create designs from your own photos and embellish your quilts using embroidery. There is a good resource file in the back of the book to help you locate supplies, many available from Sylvia's own website.”

Review   American Quilter - July 1, 2010
“Traditional Japanese Sashiko (simple running stitches worked into lovely designs) combines with vivid appliqué motifs in the six innovative quilt projects included in this appealing book. Insightful design info, a gallery of quilts, and full-size pullout patterns are included.”

Review By: Morna McEver,   Professional Quilter Online - June 24, 2010
"Sylvia Pippen was introduced to Sashiko, the art form practiced in Japan for centuries, by her mother, who was raised in China. Shasiko, which means "little stabs" in Japanese is a running stitch done in white thread on indigo fabric. Today Sylvia uses Shasiko and adds appliqué designs to complement the traditional designs. In this book she suggests using a variety of applique techniques, including her favorite, which is the press-over heat-resistant Mylar method that allows her to form crisp intricate pieces. Once you've learned both the appliqué and Sashiko technique, Sylvia offers six projects that combine the two plus embroidery.The book includes a nice gallery of work and full-size pull-out patterns. A plus is Sylvia's discussion on choosing fabric; she includes photos of a variety of fabrics and shows you exactly where to cut to get the right shading and light for your pieces."