5 comments about Silk Ribbon Embroidery Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference to Designs and Techniques.

1. This is one of the best books ever for Ribbon Embroidery! I keep it on my coffee table so it's handy! Very detailed and simple explanations.



2. Anyone who works with ribbons has to have this book.
   I love mine.
   Everything you need to know...
   clear instructions on every page.



3. I have never done any silk ribbon embroidery and this book is a great place to start. There are great pictures, easy directions and a sturdy user friendly back. Definitely a good purchase.



4. This is a wonderful book with a lot of stitches and clear instructions
   it has a few projects but over all this might be the only book I need and
   can come up with my own projects. This book is a beauty. Was very excited to get it and was not disappointed. Enjoy this wonderful book and let
   your imagination soar.
   Barb of colorado



5. I couldn't wait to get this book and I just love it. The illustrations are clear and easy to follow. Everything is step by step so it's hard to make a mistake. It also gives a wonderful overview of the different types to ribbon to use and fabrics that work best.
   I highly recommend this book for the beginner like myself and as an excellent reference book for the experienced.
   
   Tina

5 comments about A Dyer's Garden: From Plant to Pot: Growing Dyes for Natural Fibers.

1. I particularly recommend this book as a visual source for historical re-enactors.

   Too often there are descriptions of what dye-plants were used to color garments, but, no examples of what those colors would look like. This book provides clear, vivid color photos on a whole range of dye-plants grown during pre-medieval, medieval, Colonial, and later times. Additionally, it shows the same dye used on different fibers, sometimes with different mordants (fixers). Fiber samples include linen, wool, silk, and cotton.

   I recommend this book to people interested in making clothing from "modern" material...it gives them the best opprotunity possible to try to find close color-matches. Alternately, it provides solid information to dye cloth by hand.

   Also, the low price can't be beat!




2. For those doing creative re-enactment (SCA, Renn faires), this is an essential reference for growing and using natural dye plants. The book includes plants to grow, plants NOT to grow (invasive species), and plants that pay off with dye materials in one season. The margins of the book are organized by color family, and there are lovely schematics on how to organize a dye-plant garden for production or for high-intensity cultivation with raised rows--or just a pretty border. There are some basics of plant dyeing, information on mordants (salts that change color or cause it to stick to fiber.) A small but potent book, probably a must for anyone doing authentic reproduction of antique fibers or for anyone who likes the idea of home-dyed fiber but with naturally-obtained materials. Great for home schooling. Highly recommended.



3. the recipient was very happy, & is busy putting in beds of plants to do home dyeing of medieval faire clothing.



4. This book focuses mainly on the home growing and use of dye plants. There is even a section devoted to the layout of the home dye garden. General mordanting and dye bath info is given at the beginning of the book. In the "Portfolio of Dye Plants" which follows, two pages are devoted to each dye plant. For each plant, 4-10 color photos illustrate the results obtained with various mordants on different fibers. The instructions for using different plants are not in traditional recipe form. Instead, Buchanan indicates how much plant material is generally required for a given amount of fiber ("flowers from 8 plants," etc). This fits in with Buchanan's emphasis on diversity of color over reproducibility, but it could be troublesome for users of purchased dyestuffs. In short, this book is nice to look at, easy to use, and appears to contain highly useful information for dyer/gardeners.



5. This was my first introduction to the world of dyeing with plants. The photography is terrific and gives you a good idea of what you'll get from each plant. Mordants are discussed, and the plants that are included are covered thoroughly for both cultivation and dye recipes. My only regret? That I can't find the seeds for the Japanese Indigo! I recommended this book to several people when we attended our local fiber festival.

5 comments about Mastering Machine Applique: The Complete Guide Including Invisible Machine Applique, Satin Stitch, Blanket Stitch and Much More.

1. Mastering Machine Applique: The Complete Guide Including Invisible Machine Applique, Satin Stitch, Blanket Stitch and Much More
   
   If I could only purchase one book about machine applique, this would be my choice. Harriet goes into excellent detail about adjusting and setting up the sewing machine for applique, explains how to select and use necessary supplies, and provides clear, detailed instructions and step by step photos for a variety of styles of machine applique.
   
   Harriet fills in the missing blanks left in many other resources and goes beyond the basics, while being clear enough for a beginner to use. I highly recommend this book.



2. This is a very lovely book, it has great pictures lots of examples, easy instruction and many tips. there is something for sewer's of all levels.



3. Really informative! A must have for your library! The author carefully, thoroughly explains EVERYTHING for all skill levels. Beautiful pictures highlight the steps. I appreciate that this book is spiral bound; makes instructions easier to access as you learn the technique. I have been sewing clothing for many years and just started quilting. This book is so helpful on many levels, (needles, thread, stabilizers, techniques); your projects will immediately take on the look of a highly skilled crafter. I consider her THE expert on this topic; machine appliqué from A-Z is all here. Highly recommended!!



4. This is a great book for everyone. It has great ideas, tips and applications to complete your project.



5. Received the book in 6 days.. Well packaged, perfect condition. My first time to order over the "net".

4 comments about Sunbonnet Sue: All Through the Year.

1. It may not be that appropriate to say I have purchased a good book, but I reckon it is a worthwhile present. My wife got it for her 43rd brithday. She found that she could make a good start with the book and with the help from her friends who were into quilting, she made her first project with patterns from this book. I am proud and happy to have purchased it for her. She had also passed it around and many of her friends had found great inspiration with it. I strongly recommend others who like to make a start or get ideas to have this book.



2. Lots of how to plus many ideas for making both Sue's and Sam's. Lots of easy to use patterns.



3. In addition providing many patterns for Sues and Sams and possible variations, this book provides clear directions for needle turned applique. This applique method produces incredible results and is not really that hard once you get the hang of it. Sue Linker is an expert applique artist and her work is just stunning. The directions in this book tell how she does it!



4. This item was purchased for my wife, who had briefly seen a copy locally, and wished to have her own edition.
   Since receiving it, and having had a chance to read it more thoroughly, she is delighted with the product, as it contains material information which enhances her knowledge of the subject in which she is interested.

2 comments about Stencil Nation: Graffiti, Community, and Art.

1. This is a great art book! It's a worldwide who's who of stencil graffiti artists Beautiful full color photos cover every page showing murals by the likes of Banksy, Jef Aerosol, Logan Hicks, Swoon, and hundreds more. There's work by over 350 artists. Some of my favorite stuff is by people like Scott Williams who is well known around San Francisco but whose lush work really needs to be seen on a larger scale. The book is not only filled with big name artists but great local finds. The pages are dense with images and a variety of styles. Highly recommended.



2. it would have been nice if they had wrapped this book in plastic so that when it finally reached my hands it would not be wrinkly and moist. thanks retards!

5 comments about The Bathroom Idea Book (Idea Books).

1. Being in the home improvement business, I felt odd needing ideas when it came time to upgrade the bathrooms in my own home. Perhaps making a living building the bathroom of everyone elses dreams helped to fog the picture of what I wanted my own to be. Taunton Publishing puts out a trade magazine that I swear by. So when I decided to purchase a book on bathrooms I thought I couldnt go wrong with this one. How wrong I was.
   This book is little more than a collection of photographs of high end and ultra high end bathrooms. Here in my neck of the woods a complete bath renovation ranges in cost from between ten and fifteen thousand dollars for an average bath. Very few of the rooms displayed in this book would make that budget.
   Aside from the introduction there is almost no text to assist the "reader" in understanding requirements or even necessaties pryor to planning a bath remodel. Perhaps the fact that I am in this line of work colors my opinion of the book, but if photos qualify as ideas, Id recomend picking up a few magazines on bath remodeling and get a fuller picture.



2. That's why there are only two stars!

   First idea, the shape of a single cupboard. The second idea, a way to add counter space over a toilet. That's it. I guess I could have gotten both from any other magazine on the shelf for a lot less than I paid for this silly picture book filled with pictures of _pieces_ of bathrooms. A more appropriate title would have been:

   Bathroom Parts Picture Book
   A guide to bathrooms for those who can't read.

   The most I'll get from this book is the enjoyment my children will receive from cutting out the pictures for their paper dolls.




3. This text has many wonderful photos to inspire the professional. It is also full of basic info homeowners can use. It is not too technical, but covers most of the features needed in a bathroom.



4. An incredible amount of information with beautiful pictures of how to plan a new bath / shower OR how to update / remodel an existing bath....Hundreds of illustrations that can be incorporated into any bath depending on budget and desire...



5. I enjoyed this book and felt it did provide good information, contrary to other comments and I felt it was well worth the money.
   
   My mother is remodeling her bathroom and it gave us good ideas of what she liked and didn't like. I do agree with another writer that many of the most beautiful bathroom photographs were of "high-end" bathrooms, but I believe most anything can be modified to fit within a budget. The book was useful in providing the bones from which to work. I mean if marble is too expensive or is not your thing, then maybe travertine would be a less expensive option. I thought the book provided good info on things like sink placement, vanity and cabinet styles, flooring and even toilet options and shower head choices.
   
   The only slight negative, is that the book I read was published in 1999 and did include some older style bathrooms, but I would expect that in a book that was six years old, so I didn't count off for that...just because I'm late in reading it. :-)
   
   There were lots of informative sections in the book. On page 80, it talks about some of the differences in fiberglass vs acrylic showers/tubs. On page 95, there is some discussion about low flush toilets.
   
   To me, the book title indicates exactly what this book provides "Bathroom Ideas", and I think the author delivered.
   
   Even though most of the pictures don't have much detail about how to construct a particular type of bathroom or what foundation needs to already be in place, this book is not called Bathroom Construction and Remodeling. I think this book does a great job at explaining what you are looking at and includes corresponding numbering on the text and pictures. I found this book very useful and it provided just what I was looking for....ideas.

5 comments about Big Girl Knits: 25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves.

1. I got this book looking for knits for my larger size but got alot more. The tips on measuring and how to dress for you features is great. I finally found someone who understands that just cause I am a "big girl" does not mean I am big up top.
   Even if I never knit from this book I will use it to help with other projects.



2. This book has a lot of really good fashion tips for "big girls". What to wear that is flattering on plus-size body types, etc.
   
   The designs in this book do not follow that advice, however. Many of the designs look like tents, and make the models actually look fatter. A huge, knitted version of the muu-muu is not going to be flattering on anyone, especially not a 3X or 4X woman, as most of the models in the book were. My other complaint, which may not bother some other readers, was the fact that most of the designs and models were on the mid- to larger end of the size range given in the book. As a woman who usually falls just a few inches past the sizing for regular Misses' knitting patterns, I would have liked to have seen some of the designs in this book szied down onto size XL or 1X models.
   
   In all, I was so disappointed in this book. It could have done so much more. There is not one pattern in it that I'd make.



3. Someone who was in my Kniitng Group before she moved away to another area had this book, I paged though it and ordered it... I have not been able to knit any patterns from this book yet, however I plan to do so in the near future. It is very well written.
   Edie~



4. This book gets to the dirt on what looks good with which curves. Better than that, it give suggestions of how to modify patterns to work with the curves, not against the curves. If you have curves, make them work to your best advantage, rather than try to look like a waif, it is not going to happen in the time it takes to knit a sweater.



5. A landmark in knitting culture, this book is the definitive resource for those making plus size garments. It specifies detailed shaping, what fibres to use and not use, and above all encourages self-esteem and self-worth.
   
   The pictures are detailed, and each pattern is rated both for difficulty and also for suitability against body type.
   
   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

2 comments about Woodworker's Guide to Veneering & Inlay: Techniques, Projects & Expert Advice for Fine Furniture.

1. I have done a great deal of veneer work over the course of my woodworking career and I found this book to be a good all around guide to veneering. If you are new to veneering and looking for a thorough how-to or are experienced with veneer and looking for a couple new tricks I think you will find something worthwhile in this book.



2. Jonathan Benson has compiled an impressive guide to veneering, useful to both novices and the seasoned woodworker. The generous use of photographs make each chapter easy to understand, especially in the more complex areas of veneer matching and problem solving. An important addition to any woodworker's library.

5 comments about Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice.

1. For some reason the cover of this book just turns me off. I wasn't interested in it forever. Until of course, I was at a bookstore thumbing through it. I had to buy it. There are some fantastic knits in there. The Santa hat is a MUST make. I plan to do it for this holiday. There are also lovely, strange and totally enticing sweaters, socks and such. The patterns also seem to pass the gamut of easy to quiet difficult and there is a section on gifts, knitted gift packaging and bows.



2. I love this book. The variety of patterns in this book are great. I can't wait to start knitting Christmas presents. I plan on making the ruffle scarf first.



3. I love this book! Not only do the patterns represent several winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, etc.), almost all (and there are a ton) are really nice. I have yet to knit very much from the book, but I have big plans for this next year.
   
   The Menorah pillow alone makes the book worth buying; some of my other favorite patterns in the book are the Santa hat, some delicate embroidered gloves, flip-top mittens, a fabulous tree skirt, and, for the kids, three patterns for knit dolls (Mrs. Claus, a dog, and a cat).



4. I got this book as a gift and I absolutely love it. It includes many inspiring projects through many knitting levels with beautiful photography. A word of caution: there are patterns that need clarification or corrections. I would recommend doing a search on a knitting site (like ravelry.com) to see if the project you are thinking about contains errors.



5. I checked this book out of the library a week ago, and since then I have finished 3 projects! I rarely buy books that are available for free in the library, but I definitely have to have this one on my shelf. The menorah pillow was the big draw for me, and I am planning on knitting it for my parents this year; however, most of these patterns are amazing. There seems to be a little bit of everything, and I want to knit nearly all of it! The doll outfits are absolutely adorable, and would be appropriate for your favorite child any time of year. The Candy Cane Striped Hat worked up in two nights (in sizes baby to adult, no less). After I made one, I decided that all my kids need one for this Christmas. The evergreen bag inspired me to (finally!) learn Fair Isle knitting. I finished the bag in just a few days, and I absolutely love it. Snegurochka's Party Hat is a beautiful beaded cap that I am knitting (without beads) for a friend who will be starting chemo soon. It is gorgeous, and so much more classy and stylish than any "chemo cap" pattern I have seen. I also have my eye on a pair of knee-high sock/stockings with an outrageously sexy eyelet faux seam running up the back. When it cools off this fall, I'm going to start on the log cabin socks. The possibilities in this book seem endless, and it includes many, many patterns that are not Christmas-specific. Even some of the Christmas-y patterns, like the stockings, are shown in unexpected colorway that look terrific. And if you love cable knitting, you have to check out the Aran tree skirt. It is absolutely to die for!
   
   There is an error in the decrease of the Striped Candy Cane Hat. I just did a basic K2tog decrease one stitch in each band of the main color in the first row, then knit a row even, then one K2tog decrease in each band of the contrast color of the 3rd row, then knit a row even, etc. I also came up with a couple extra stitches at the end when it was time to start the I-cord topper, but it was no big deal; I just added 1 more decreasing row until I had the proper # of stitches, then did my I-cord. I can't tell you how cute the hat came out; it was totally worth figuring out the details. There is a picture in the customer images.
   
   You can find errata info from the author at [..]
   
   There are corrections for:
   Candy Cane Hat
   Over the Knee Socks
   Menorah Pillow
   
   For the Snegurochka's Party Hat, here is what I figured out while knitting today:
   Row 33, Stitch 16 should be a K2tog instead of a knit, so K2tog, K4...
   Row 35, Stitches 16-24 should read Ssk, K7, K2tog
   For some reasons, rows 31-34 are increased to 37 stitches, then decrease back down to 36. Weird, but it's working.
   
   The errors are definitely frustrating. If I was not a fairly advanced knitter, I would have given up on the Snegurochka's Party Hat pattern. On the other hand, it is coming out so beautifully, and I can't wait to give it away! I might even make another one for myself. There really are some fun, amazing patterns in this book. I don't get too worked up about errors in the pattern, but I do think that it is the author's responsibility to get the correct information on her website. She shouldn't leave it to random knitters and bloggers to fix her mistakes. So, if you are a beginning knitter or get easily frustrated with errors, pass this one by. However, if you are willing to track down the corrections, this book is awesome.

5 comments about Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt.

1. I am really enjoying reading and looking at the pictures of the quilts in this book. I have met several of the ladies and decendants of the Gee' Bend Quilters and find their stories so interesting. The quilts definitely do define the quilters, their strengths and weaknesses, their ups and downs. I recomend this book to anyone who holds quilts near and dear to their hearts.



2. This book is great, and the pictures are wonderful. I'm studying for an upcoming exhibition and I am very satisfied.



3. The stories of the women of Gee's Bend, as told by themselves, touch ones heart and should remind us of a time when one used what you had and met the challenge of creating such things of beauty as their quilts. They definitely thought "outside the box" and broke all the rules of quilting to produce some splendid pieces of art. Primative? yes, but their artistic eye as shown in their work, places their work on a level with the great artists of the world. Great photos of the ladies and wonderful color pictures of the quilts. I would recommend the book for artists as well as quilters.



4. If you liked the Gee's Bend Quilt exhibit, then you have to have this book as well as the one before it The Quilts of Gee's Bend: Masterpieces from a Lost Place and the one after it, Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee's Bend Quilts, and Beyond, which focuses upon the work of Mary Lee Bendolph, perhaps the greatest living Gee's Bend Quilter. There are others, too. These women are worth supporting in any way you can. They are truly great artists. Other gems to seek out are The Quilts Of Gee's Bend the video on them made by Vanessa Vadim and and Tim Arnett and the CD collection of Gee's Bend music made both in the 30s, when the FSA became aware of the artistry of Gee's Bend, and at the time of the recent exhibition of Gee's Bend's Quilts which is still touring the world.



5. Interesting and inspiring! I loved the stories of the quilters - real people who were extraordinary and humble.