4 comments about Masterpieces of Art Nouveau Stained Glass Design: 91 Motifs in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. Nice plates with dimensions. Good for projects and for idea's. I highly reccomend it.



2. Though some of the designs are nice, most are way too busy for my taste, and I wouldn't really call them Art Nouveau. Quite a few of them look more like Renaissance style stained glass, and some of them look modern (like the sailboat patterns?). It is in color, though, which is nice. Very complicated - definately not for beginning stained glass crafters.



3. Originally, this was a pair of portfolios of designs in the Art Nouveau period. Art Nouveau was not just twisty flowers, though some people like to stereotype it into those narrow parameters. This is not a how-to book with cutting patterns. It has only the paintings with suggested scale. On a few pages, motifs overlap each other, so you can't just scan and go: you have to build up your idea of the covered areas. One pictorial arched piece is missing the right third, again a challenge to finish it yourself.

   The designs range from splendidly romantic conceptions of floral forms to windows a-scamper with squirrels or lizards to some that are distinctly eerie. Bats fly across the moon amidst dead trees. A woman combs her hair before a volcano flowing lava. An octopus and a sea-weed maiden struggle underwater--in combat? in love? Several have fishes and there are even cat designs.

   You don't have to see these only as windows. I've converted two to rug designs by taking out the excess black lines of supports or piecing necessary to glass work. You may want to take only one area out of an entire design to render in wood, or do a mosaic version of the whole thing. This is a starting point for the competent craftsman who loves the Art Nouveau energy, not an end product.




4. If you can't find a design you can use for inspiration, you're just not looking hard enough. Not for beginners since the designs are incredibly intricate, but your creativity will wake up and take notice.

5 comments about Turn-of-the-Century Fashion Patterns and Tailoring Techniques.

1. In case you're wondering which turn of the century the title refers to, it's the 20th, not the 21st. This is a reprint of the 1901 edition of _The "Standard" Work on Cutting Ladies' Tailor-Made Garments_, by the Jno. J. Mitchell Co. It is a drafting manual and pattern book for women's tailored garments, such as suits and coats. Like most such tailor's drafting books (they were published into the 1940s but died out along with custom tailoring), it gives the most basic patterns for conservative styles. The garment maker was expected to vary the patterns to provide styles beyond the basics and/or update the basics to the season's trends; to provide his/her own trim ideas; and to draft/grade the correct size for the wearer.

   This edition is very similar to the 1908 edition of _The "Standard" Work on Cutting Ladies' Tailor-Made Garments_, which also has been reprinted and is available under the title, _Ladies' Tailor-Made Garments 1908_, by S. S. Gordon. The 1908 edition contains many of the same patterns, but was reorganized and enlarged.




2. I thought the patterns came with it, and the book was on techniques for the manufacturing. But you have to enlarge the patterns yourself. Other than that, its a good book if you have the time.



3. If you really like the Edwardian period, this is a good addition to your costuming library. But if you're a beginner I wouldn't recommend it.
   
   Instead of giving you the pattern and the picture of what the pattern will make, it gives you a pattern and a few examples of the kind of garment the pattern will make. For example: it gives lots of pictures of tight fitting jackets, and somewhere later in the book it gives lots of patterns for "tight-fitting jackets"). This means that for each pattern you much have knowledge of the style, tailoring techniques, and most importantly, alteration. This is why it isn't for beginners.
   
   I would first suggest a more straightforward book like The Voice of Fashion: 79 Turn-Of-The Century Patterns By Frances Grimble or The Edwardian Modiste: 85 Authentic Patterns By Frances Grimble. But if you can't get books on Edwardian fashions and patterns, go for it.
   
   I would buy Turn-of-the-Century Fashion Patterns and Tailoring Techniques for three reasons:
   1. The clothes in it are really cute
   2. it can act as a source book
   3. it's great for people who are absolutely IN LOVE with Edwardian clothing, like I am.



4. I was looking for patterns for victorian costumes and this book more than fit the bill. You must have more than average knowledge of sewing though.



5. It is a very good book but I missed that in the same page one could find the pattern and the final drawing of the respective dress.

No comments about Miller's Care & Repair of Antiques & Collectibles: A Step-by-Step Guide (Miller's Collector's Guides).

4 comments about Inventing Christmas: How Our Holiday Came to Be.

1. This book is such an amazing find! It tells the whole celebration of the Christmas holiday, from it's pre-Christian pagan celebrations, through the 20th century. Particularly interesting is how it became a Christian Holiday a few hundred years after the birth of Christ. But the book also covers how Santa Claus came to be, the history of the Christmas Tree, carols, and a pretty extensive article on Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol.'
   The author, Jock Elliott, is probably the foremost collector of Christmas memorabelia, and through many color photos has shared some of his extensive collection with us. The man even has his letters to Santa from the 1920's! But, most impressive of all (to me!) is his 'A Christmas Carol' collection. He has a copy of the original first edition from 1843, as well as the original newspaper advertisement for the book from that same year! And, yes, Mr. Elliott shares this with us, too.
   I've compared his history of the holiday with other books I own and I feel I can safely say that Mr. Elliott has done his research. His writing style is very entertaining and easy to follow, so the younger set can enjoy this book, too.
   All in all, this is one of the most entertaining books I've read on the Christmas holiday. I guess if I had one complaint it would be for Mr. Elliott to maybe add a bit about the Reason for the Season - Jesus Christ.
   Very highly recommended.



2. Almost all Americans celebrate Christmas but so few of us really know its deep-rooted and ancient origins as well as the origins of so many of the traditions we hold so dear.
   
   In his wonderful book called, Jock Elliott has charted all of this story (and more) with care and good cheer. He reminds us of how recent the Christmas "tradition" is, and how ancient. He tells us, for example, that the Christmas tree is basically a product of the second half of the American 19th century, and can be traced to England. The British royal family - themselves imports from Germany - first pitched such trees in their palatial homes. But the trees, and the rituals of winter celebrations, could themselves be traced all the way back to pagan times and the celebrations of the winter solstice.
   
   We learn about the men who defined Santa claus Including Clement Moore who wrote the "Night Before Christmas", and Thomas nast. Nast was the greatest political cartoonist of the 19th century, perhaps of any American century. During the holiday season of 1862-63, Nast put visual flesh on the poetic bones provided by Moore. In the Jan. 3, 1863, issue of Harper's Weekly, he showed Santa Claus cheering up the battered Union troops. He's wearing striped pants and a shirt spangled with stars. Nast would do a year-end drawing of Santa Claus for each of the following 25 years.
   
   From giving gifts to misletoe, Elliots great book fills us in on the origins of Everything Christmas. Highly Recommended



3. Saw this book when it was listed with a book I wanted to buy about Christmas and the history of our American traditions. It is a beautiful book with lots of pictures- not alot of written information. Still find it interesting and informative.



4. Jock Elliott captures and relates all of the building blocks that went into making our Christmas holiday what it is--in terms of the way in which we celebrate.
   
   As an ad man, he's got a unique perspective.
   
   Fascinating reading.

No comments about American Flyer Pocket Price Guide, 1946 - 2009.

5 comments about Million-Dollar Muscle Cars: The Rarest and Most Collectible Cars of the Performance Era.

1. The best car book for non car guy. I look the photographs and history of each vehicle. It may you go out on the web to purchase a muscle car to cruise. When is the next follow up book coming out.



2. How refreshing it was to finally read a muscle car book where the author lives and breathes the stuff and the book is not filled with factual errors. The book reads effortlessly and without really knowing it your educated on the history of the cars as well as the current market for significant cars. This book is muscle car 101 for anyone considering the purchase of a muscle car. Must read for anyone who calls himself a car guy.



3. Great book.Colin does a wonderful job on this book with his insight & knowledge of muscle cars & there world.Colin has a unique & fun way of writing about these cars which really gets your emotions going.Great photos too.My favorite muscle car book!



4. The author's personal experiences and those who own these awesome cars adds volumes to the appreciation of the marques, models and even the era they hail from. To illustrate, I am "into" cars and drive a 1968 GT Mustang California Special everyday (not qualifying as a million-dollar car just yet) yet most of my friends and family are not "car people". Since leaving this book in the lounge I've found many people, those you would least expect, engrossed in the tales of these truly legendary cars. This book bridges the divide with universal appeal. Scary to think that it will probably introduce more filthy rich to the collector car market... next edition: billion dollar cars!



5. Bought this book for my dad for fathers day, he has a collection of muscle car books a mile wide, and this is the first one i found that he does not have (usually he gets a Barnes and Noble Gift Card for Fathers day). For anyone with an interest in muscle cars, you will surely enjoy!

5 comments about Brilliant Knits: 25 Contemporary Knitwear Designs from the Kaffe Fassett Studio.

1. As a warning, almost half of these designs are already published in Rowan magazines. The remainder, all new for this book, are often variations on Mably's style, which is similar to the well-known Kaffe Fassett's, although much simpler. The sweaters are really abstract, skirting the avant garde, although the fundamental styles are basic pullovers and cardigans. It's the color schemes that are dynamic and innovative, although Mably shows most of the sweaters in bright, bold, and sometimes almost garish color combinations. Since I prefer a more classic and muted look, it is difficult for me to see past the colors to the actual sweater and choose my own schemes. However, if you like lots of color, this book is an excellent choice. Most of the yarns used are Rowan (with some Jaeger), which is a sad choice since if you have used Rowan yarns, you are aware that as soon as a pattern is published, Rowan stops manufacturing the yarn. For instance, some of these patterns call for DK soft, which was recently discontinued. Pluses to this book are the introduction, which is concise and helpful, bearing tips on handling intarsia and fair isle in a nicely laid out presentation. Also, Mably introduces each pattern with a brief notation that describes his inspiration and intention, adding a charming touch. The patterns themselves are clear and simple to read, as are the large-size black and white charts, although there are no size diagrams, making it difficult to substitute yarns or handle your differing gauge. A huge plus is the photos of the sweaters. Unlike some publishers who concentrate more on the dramatic pose of the models, obsuring the sweater, this publisher paid lots of attention to showing the sweater. You know exactly what you are looking at and getting, including two or more photos of the sweaters, even with back views, to give you a strong idea. The book is really excellently executed, on fine quality paper. A nice presentation. I'm only sorry that these sweaters aren't my sort -- but if you like Mably's cover sweater, I'll bet you find you'll want to knit most of those included in the book!



2. Brandon Mably is a member of popular knit designer Kaffe Fassett's studio. I really liked many of Mably's designs, which are in some ways simpler and bolder than Fassett's--though clearly inspired by his mentor. But the design work here is spotty. Some of the ideas such as a Gypsy-striped scarf and vest, are simple in concept but look stunning. Others are Kaffee-clones, such as stars on complicated backgrounds. And there are complete departures from the Fassett style, such as a sweater with an intarsia design of pitted olives. Very cute.

   The problem with this book, however, is that the quality of the knitted models varies from great to just awful. I would never have let some of those photos see the light of day, let alone the pages of a book. Knitting boo-boos jump out of the page such as uneven motif joins in intarsia, bulgy and uneven increasing above the ribbing and other amateurish-looking knitting that would have a competent knitting editor shouting naughty words. Another problem is the reliance on Rowan yarns, which are expensive and go out of production rapidly. If you want to reproduce these styles exactly, in the colors and weights of yarn specified, you may find yourself on a wild-goose chase. And the yarns used are often cotton. Now, cotton is able to be dyed in deep and bright colors, and the sheen on a mercerized cotton yarn lends a brilliance to knitting that a matte wool cannot achieve. But knitting intarsia (a technique where yarns are knitted in independent color zones and linked on the wrong side with a twisting method) is incredibly difficult to do with cotton. This is because cotton drapes and does not adapt to fill gaps in tension variations. Wool is forgiving in this matter and the fuzzy surface also hides knitting flaws. With cotton yarns, the inevitable variations of hand knitting are magnified, though master knitters can compensate. If you are not experienced in intarsia, let me tell you that a horrific experience awaits you if your first attempts are with cotton yarns. So be forewarned. If you don't believe me, look at the "Olives" sweater which sadly illustrates the difficulties that even an experienced knitter can have with cotton and intarsia. Tragic.

   The sweater shapes in this book do vary from the wide and loose Fassett style (that does not always flatter the wide and voluptuous among us) and there are slimming v-necks and nicely done tunics. That's good. There are many design ideas here that are interesting and attractive, as well as some good colorways. However, other color choices were garish and muddy-looking.

   So, if you like the Fassett style and are looking for more inspiration, you may find it here. But the uneven quality and the fact that many of these styles were previously published in Rowan books elsewhere, limit the value of this book.




3. Well presented clear photographs and graphs Hard to decide which to knit first



4. Very inspirational knitting in this book. Be prepared to spend a wad on yarns as they call for many, many colors. Nice items, something for everyone.



5. This is a handsome book--the settings alone make it very pleasant to leaf through, gorgeous country homes, beautiful gardens and models with character. Kaffe Fassett's influence is everywhere in the designs, but they are still handsome; however, the basic Fassett style, using simple shapes and 5,000 colors of bloody expensive Rowan yarn, makes them difficult for some people to reproduce...especially if the yarn is discontinued. Aside from that, there are certainly designs there I would make, particularly because they are shown on all ages and types of people. Perhaps a few too many Big Main Color pullovers with A Motif on them, and some of the sweaters, like the Green Olive number, are witty but would quickly be memorized by one's friends--"There he is! Oh, God, he's wearing that sweater with the olives again!" However, many of the checks and patterns are wonderful, like "Tie Dye" and "Cut Diamonds." In general, he also does good vivid colorways for men that they would actually wear... well, maybe there are a couple that college boys would squirm away from as too bright, but not many. The main reason I haven't tackled one of the ones I like best is the cost of Rowan yarn, and alongside that, laziness; intarsia with a million colors is nervewracking, and as for cost, I know I could substitute, but that's asking for trouble and a lot of preliminary figuring work...or unraveling. I'm not sorry I bought this; if nothing else, some of the pattern motifs and colorways could be transplanted to sumptuous shawls for entertainment without so much accountability. I'd say, give it a try!

4 comments about Everyday Dress of Rural America, 1783-1800: With Instructions and Patterns (Dover Books on Costume).

1. I ordered this book a few weeks ago. I have been looking for books to help make costumes to take my grandchildren to reenactments, which has stimulated their intrest in history. This book is the most balanced book I have seen-in that it tells you what you want to know, why it was what it was, and it is easy to read and understand. It covers men and women's clothing, with illustrations and graft patterns, along with fabrics and sewing techniques. I find this book delightful with information put in a fun and usable way. There are not enough book's that I have found on everyday dress, so this is a great and much needed addition.



2. This is a great book for those looking to get basic knowledge of late 18th century clothing. It has clear illustrations of the everyday garments worn by men, women, and children. It shows layer by layer the many garments being used at this time. I have seen other "beginner" costume books leave the reader baffled as to how and when a garment was used; that isn't a problem with this book. One thing to remember is that fashion was in transition at this point in history so the patterns are really only good if you are trying to reproduce dress specific to that time frame. I have been studying this field for over ten years so this book was not of much use to me, but I would definately recommend it as a good foundation for a beginner.



3. This book was not what I expected. it had basic drawings of a few garments from colonial america and showed some native american garments. I wish it had more in it. It was very short and I expected it to have more pictures of the clothing in it.



4. Was shipped timely. Book was still in good condition but was exactly what I had expected...

2 comments about Kovels' Know Your Collectibles.

1. The Kovels are well known in the antiquing and collectible field for their annual price guides. In this book they present an introduction to the world of collectibles including chapters on recognizing furniture styles and periods, pottery, dinnerware, glassware, porcelains, jewelry, lamps, clocks, toys, as well as other miscellaneous items. This is a good generalized grounding in all of these topics, although I felt the book concentrated a little on pottery and porcelains. The book occasionally uses terms before defining them, and as an introductory text could have benefited from the presence of a glossary. However, it has a fairly comprehensive index and the reader is able to find the required definition if they are willing to do a little extra page turning. Manufacturers marks are excellently documented making it a useful reference even beyond the first read-through. The photographs are profuse and of good quality, although all are in black and white and a couple would have done well to have been in color. Over-all this is in my view the best introductory text on modern collectibles (collectibles less than 100 years old) and makes and excellent companion to "Kovels known your antiques".



2. I just ordered another copy of this book for a friend who keeps borrowing mine. Well read, and well liked, especially by our friends who are just starting to collect and furnish thier own homes.

3 comments about Tiffany Stained Glass Windows: in Full-Color (Post) Cards: 24 Cards (Card Books).

1. It isn't at first apparent from the listing that this is a book of postcards. I found it very valuable because I also bought Eaton's "Tiffany Windows: Stained Glass Pattern Book". Although colored examples were given for them, the Tiffany designs are complicated. 15 or 16 of the postcards were duplicate designs that were in the Eaton book. I use the images for computer application and they helped me a lot to choose the right colors.



2. This is a companion book, as it's glossy postcards. I spent an afternoon at my local frame shop & framed 6 of the cards, they are very attractive as smaller framed images. The images are sharp (although small) & the colors seem to be pretty true to what the windows would actually look like. I'm pleased with the results of my afternoon & glad I had a chance to read the previous review to know these were postcards.



3. Was looking for good color photos of some of Tiffany's work. This book did not disappoint. The illustrations here have excellent detail that I didn't see for some of the works published elsewhere.