5 comments about 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim.

1. This book was interesting but not my cup of tea. Most of the patterns were a bit silly and rudimentary. I think there are some people would enjoy this book, but I think most of the patterns were too young for me. Try the library.



2. What a fun book! I like that there are so many ideas. I may never use any of the ideas as written, but I feel truly inspired.
   
   The big drawback: the 1st day I recieved it, I dropped the book and the spiral binding tore out of the paper binding, so now they are separated. I would suggest that the publisher figure out some more sturdy way to bind this book and still make it user friendly.



3. Lots of great ideas for denim that inspire other creative ideas as well. I used it for my students for their "design project" for a high school course along with the other corresponding book about T-shirts. It was amazing what they came up with!
   
   Basic sewing knowledge is helpful as the directions are rather general.



4. This is a pretty good book, it gives you plenty of ways to recycle denim.
   My only complaint is that it didn't give approximate measurements, so you pretty much have to wing it, and use your best judgement, but there are a lot of good ideas here.



5. Great craft book. We all have jeans that are just no longer wearable, esp. if you have kids. Great projects to rework your old jeans for unique clothes & crafts.

4 comments about Creative Classics: 250 Playful Continuous-Line Quilting Designs.

1. This book is far more inspiring and interesting than Fritz's other book "Mindful Meandering", which retails for a few dollars less. But for the extra money, Creative Classics will give you a far better quality publication and a lot more patterns (250 vs 132).
   
   Creative Classics also provides more explanations for keeping your continuous-line quilting disciplined but still fun and spontaneous. I am the type of quilter who looks at patterns for inspiration but I also need a few good verbal descriptions to make it all work for my hands AND my brain. I just wish more verbal effort had been put into this assemblage, even if it were simply her own commentary on how her techniques evolve and expand. This would have been more entertaining, and also might have given the new machine quilter more ideas and confidence.
   
   This is a black and white publication, but the cover is in color, and shows how variegated thread can make a simple design more extraordinary. More color examples should have been used throughout the book to make this a better resource.
   
   There are five sections to this book, each utilizing a different fundamental structure: clam shells, waves, serpentine (great for borders or long runs), fans (used for filling spaces), and feathers. This organization gives Creative Classics the meat and substance that I found to be missing from Fritz's other similar publication (Mindful Meandering, reviewed separately), and for this reason I would recommend buying this book over the other if you had to choose.



2. I'd give her designs 5 stars.
   
   But a quick reading of the copyright statement (on, IIRC, most of her books) leads one to wonder if they can be used at all.
   
   Personal use. Donation to a nonprofit for a sale. Oh, yes, and if you are quilting it for someone else, they need to buy a copy of the book--or you can't use more than 10 designs. Presumably you already have one.
   
   And it must have a "conspicuous label" saying:
   
   Designs copyright 2007 by Laura Lee Fritz from the book
   Creative Classics C & T Publishing Inc.
   
   Now, I was offended the time I went to Paducah and saw a handful of Margaret Rolfe's animals on a quilt with no apparent attribution. People who write books deserve to be thanked. I sent photos of something I made to one author, got back a nice letter saying that they hoped people would play with their designs the way I had.
   
   But Fritz's designs are so free-form I'd be nervous about using them for anything, I would kind of automatically draw them out free-hand for myself, but it kind of sounds like anything that even suggests her stuff is covered. I may do a couple of her elephants from another book on a small wall-hanging for the Elephant Sanctuary, but since "conspicuous" isn't defined, (Giant letters taking up all of the back of a 18 inch piece? leaving no room for thanking Margaret Rolfe for her elephant??) or does it have to be on the front?
   
   And does 10 designs mean ten facing right elephants on one quilt, or ten lines of fans with a sun inside, or what. I've always figured it was ten different designs, but....
   
   I feel about this like I'm that poor farmer in Canada who "grew" Monsanto's Round-up ready corn because the pollen had been blown across to his property. I think he's eventually won, but it took years and years.
   
   Are the intellectual property people really likely to "get" one if something you did a few years back ends up in your garage sale? Probably not. But still. It is inhibiting. Especially the idea that if you do any quilted embellishment on a fan designs you could spend years and dollars fighting it.



3. Great ideas, says it all. Some very imaginative and easy to follow ideas for the beginner free motion quilter.



4. Purchased for wife. She said she enjoyed it. Not much more I can tell you.

1 comments about Scrapbooks: An American History.

1. Scrapbooks: An American Historyis filled with beautiful glimpses into the past. I have spent this whole day just looking at the photographs of the scrapbooks, reading the entries, scribbles and notes along the edges of the stuff others collected and lovingly pasted onto the pages. It it like stepping back in time.
   
   It's color photographs are crisp and detailed. The narrative is informative and holds your attention. It appears to be a work that was loving compiled.
   
   Thank you Ms. Helfand for this work of art, it has reminded me why I have a drawer full of ticket stubs, postcards, and other items my husband calls clutter. Now to find a scrapbook.

3 comments about Design Your Own Knits in 5 Easy Steps.

1. this book is good in:
   1. it's quite complete for basic designing reference...
   2. it has formulas of some knitting project...
   3. it has grid paper on the bag...so you can scan it and use it..
   4. it gives more knowledge about knitting to newbie...like yarns type, swatching, etc...
   this book is really-really basic for designing...no patterns here...
   
   the paper of this book is thick, plastic like...very good stuff...
   
   hey, this is not a tutorial book, ok?...so, if you expect a tutorial, don't buy this book...this book is a tutorial for knit designing...



2. This book is very exciting. It's just what I was looking for. It is extremely well organized and concisely put together. I think that is the most impressive part, for me. Sections include choosing the right fiber, proper swatching, proportion, going from idea to paper, and then paper to pattern. It's true there aren't any patterns included, but that's the point isn't it?
   
   Instead there are frameworks to help you design your own. For example, under Basic Shapes is the Scarf. How to design and knit a scarf. Points to consider for scarves. A template of a scarf. Too easy? How about a Slipover. A drop-shoulder sweater. A sweater with set-in sleeves. Each comes with a "how to design and knit" section and a template to give you an idea of what pieces are involved and how they go together. There's a section on necklines, collars, and sizing charts for men, women, children, and babies.
   
   The book addresses choosing a direction to knit in (top to bottom or vice versa, center out, etc), working with color, and determining how much yarn will be needed. Working with repeating patterns, texture, scale. Sorry, I'm rambling. It's just that cool of a book.



3. Very easy to read and understand and starts from real basics about design and inspiration. It doesn't teach all the fundamentals about knitting itself but that's because this is a design (for knitting) book so it assumes the reader already knows how to knit (otherwise why would you want to be designing something you have no clue about, right?!) I give it 4 stars only because it doesn't go through all the possible stitches you can do for knit design, but then, like I said, this is more about setting up design, rather than how to do the stitching. If you want to learn more about stitch dictionary, other books will be necessary, such as Vogue reference book.
   
   I like the illustrations and photos in it that really help visualize the concepts, the language is simple, and the graph paper is definitely going to be helpful.

5 comments about The Knitters Bible.

1. I found this book in my local library and deemed it worthy of buying. After not knitting for years, this book gave me detailed info and good pix on the basics and beyond. It has a good collection of different types of stitches and explains them well.



2. Both my grand daughter and I have experimented with lots of the patterns shown for the making of squares of a baby blanket. Interesting to create unique 5" squares and not be committed to a big project. When we have knitting questions, we both go to our own bibles for help.



3. I love reviewing good books just as much as I hate reviewing bad ones and no sooner had I seen this book than I knew I had to recommend it.
   
   I learnt to knit as a child and I never attempted any bigger projects. I then re-learnt it using Debbie Bliss's books and then I really got interested in knitting.
   
   I actually got "The Knitter's Bible" because I found out it's the only book I know - apart from Bliss's How to Knit: The Definitive Knitting Course Complete with Step-by-Step Techniques, Stitch Library, and Projects for Your Home and Family - which explains the entrelac technique. I thought other techniques would be mentioned as well. This turned out to be true.
   
   Are you confused by the yarn labels and don't really differentiate between sport and DK?
   
   Don't you know which yarn to make to produce a particular garment?
   
   Have you always wanted to see a description and a diagram next to each other, just to compare and finally understand one of those?
   
   Have you been hearing about this strange felting thing and wanted to find out what it's all about without actually buying special books yet?
   
   Have you always wanted to know how to make knitted buttons without the button-making sets?
   
   Do you want to know how to adjust the number of stitches in you Aran sweater where the cables only appear at the front?
   
   These are only few of the questions answered in "The Knitter's Bible". It's fascinating that such a small book contains that much information! Great both as a reference book and a nice reading for knitting fans.



4. This is a beautiful book, with many photos and clear looking page spreads. It's very nice in a lot of ways, but to call it a knitter's bible seems to be over-reaching badly. It's more like a survey course of knitting possibilities. I enjoyed seeing all you could do with knitting---lots of fancy techniques like extremely textured bobble type stitches, intricate fair isle, embroidery-style picture knitting, etc. But I think this book would be not at all useful as a reference. For example, it gives instructions that used slipped stitches several pages BEFORE it explains what exactly a slipped stitch is, and when it does, it's a casual sort of explanation, not a detailed one. There are lots of interesting stitch patterns, but only a page about knitting instruction shorthand like psso. There is a heavy emphasis on knitting that uses knitting into the back and front of stitches, but the instructions on how to do that were quite confusing and unclear to me, and the diagram type pictures of techniques like this were beyond me---why no nice clear pictures of those, like there were of far more unusual knitting ideas?
   
   I don't mean to knock this book. I really liked looking at it, and I thought some of the projects looked like they would be a lot of fun, like a cushion cover with squares of different patterns. Even then, though, the pattern just sort of casually mentions you would need a backing fabric, and doesn't get into how you would sew this onto the front at all.
   
   I think this book would be most useful if you were a pretty good basic knitter already, and wanted to get a lot of ideas of where to go next with your knitting---what the far reaches of knitting are, and how to do some far out and quite interesting new things with your skills. But I think of a "bible" of a craft as something that clearly explains all or most aspects of it that you would need to look up often, and this book doesn't do that at all.



5. I recieved this book as a gift when I first learned to knit 2 years ago. At the time it was the only book I found that offered the clearest instruction for learners. Definitons where concise and understandable and as for learning new stitch patterns the instructions were even clearer than the Vogue Stitch dictionary.
   
   In the last 2 years I have collected and read a variety of knit books that I love but I keep going back to this book for it clarity when another pattern is convoluted or sometimes missing a step or two.
   
   This is a nice little helping hand that you will use often.

No comments about Genuine Origami: 43 Mathematically-Based Models, From Simple to Complex.

5 comments about The Creative Pattern Book: Complete Patterns, Intriguing Ideas & Musings on the Creative Process.

1. The text in Judy Martin's Creative Pattern book is extremely well written and is very easy to understand. Every quilter should read the 7 Secrets of Sewing Success in this book. Judy's book inspires the quilter to have the confidence and knowledge to create a quilt. The Creative Pattern Book is a well organized book with lovely color and includes 12 patterns of quilts. Each of the 12 patterns have several variations showing details of the fabric, color and quilting. This book is one that you will use often as it has everything you want in a quilt book.



2. I've been a sewer for years and have just begun quilting. I've purchased several "how to" and pattern books by different authors in order to get a feel for the quilting and design process. Judy's book is THE BEST. It is very readable and all instructions are clearly written. Her tips on cutting and sewing pieces THAT FIT TOGETHER are easy and logical and make the piecing process foolproof. Her approach truly does empower a quilter. Hats off!



3. Finally, a quilt book that makes perfect sense! Of all the quilt books I've bought, this is the first one I sat down & actually read cover to cover. Judy Martin wrote this book in plain English & all of the questions I had were answered & understandable. This book has changed the way I quilt!



4. Finally, a quilt book that makes perfect sense! Of all the quilt books I've bought, this is the first one I sat down & actually read cover to cover. Judy Martin wrote this book in plain English & all of the questions I had were answered & understandable. This book has changed the way I quilt!



5. Finally, a quilt book that makes perfect sense! Of all the quilt books I've bought, this is the first one I sat down & actually read cover to cover. Judy Martin wrote this book in plain English & all of the questions I had were answered & understandable. This book has changed the way I quilt!

5 comments about Heartfelt: 25 Projects for Stitched and Felted Accessories.

1. I really like this book. You will not be sorry if you buy this. Lots of great projects with complete directions and a finished look to all of them. There are backpacks, scarves, purse, bags, gloves, hats all perfectly embellished.



2. I viewed this book at a craft store and will make a purchase thru Amazon(significantly less$) and really like what it offers. Beautiful pictures of the projects and yes very inspiring to make. A great variety of items to make and very colorful. The embroidery designs are simple to do yet really make the piece special and unique. I think this is a great price for a book that offers lots.



3. This book is exactly what I was looking for; a how-to book on fun felt projects. I am new to the world of felt and all it encompasses. Much of what I have found seems boreing to me; old-style and/or too crafty looking. This book is different, it has crafty, fun, funky, cute and colorful projects.
   
   What I like:
   -detailed, easy to follow instructions
   -great step-by-step pictures
   -very colorful and inspiring
   -information on felt/felting that I have not found elsewhere
   
   Here's a list of some of the patterns:
   -baby earflap hat (+2 adult hats)
   -bunny slippers (+ another pair of slippers)
   -iPod case
   -little purse
   -back pack
   -mittens
   -baby coat (super cute!)
   -plus many more
   
   One thing to note- most of the patterns given need to be photocopied and enlarged. The book gives percentages to increase by, so this may be a point of interest for some of you.
   
   I am super glad I bought this book and look forward to the many uses I will get out of it. It would also make a great gift.



4. This book had lots of information about felting and different projects to try. I like that the author encourage "recycling" old sweaters and wool items. The projects are modern and appeal to a wide range of crafters.



5. There are some sweet projects here. If you are interested in making items from old wool sweaters, this will give you lots of ideas. The book has patterns to make gifts for friends, and especially children. Also the directions for embelishing the items are clever.

5 comments about Card Weaving.

1. Easy to read, easy to understand, clear description - technical and basic. All you need to get started. I strongly recommend it.



2. When I bought this book I wanted to learn to card weave, it has helped me so much that I've woven strips and made them into tote bags and have sold two already. WOW!! So I rate this book the best.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
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3. I just started card weaving this past spring. I searched for books on the subject and came across this one from a recommendation from several web sites. I am so glad that it has been reprinted. This is a great book for us beginners learning card weaving. The pictures are clear, she touches on some great techniques, and her patterns are really pretty. She walks you through several techniques, and touches on some others that are available. The directions are clear and to the point. The pictures are great. She even has examples at the end of the book of some things that you can do with the bands once they are woven. I would definitely recommend this book for beginner to intermediate level weavers.



4. I get confused easily by alot of directions but this book is really geared toward making it easy to understand, especially how to string the cards up. There are several easy to follow diagrams and the information is something that you will use over and over again. I was having alot of trouble understanding how to string up and turning following a graph but not anymore, this book will clear that up.



5. This book covers it all. For a subject that is all but lost, this is a wonderful source of information. From the history of the art to understanding how it all works - to patterns that are easy to follow. Step-by-step instructions help to build confidence so that very soon you can make your own designs.

No comments about Ted Muehling: A Portrait of Don Freeman.