5 comments about Jewelry Making Techniques Book (Quarto Book).

1. I loved this book! It covers so many different kinds of jewelry making. There's enough detail to teach you with plenty of ideas to stretch your imagination. Definitely worth the money.



2. The first twenty pages are interesting because the author take the time to describe the tools and material needed for jewelry making.
   But after the author try to describe the most jewelry techniques in a minimum of page: only one or two pages for each technique.
   It is very insufficient.The photos are also to small.



3. This book is not for someone that has no background in jewelry/metalsmithing. Not for a beginner, or newbe. It is in the Quarto style form the publisher. It does cover what is promised. with short descriptive statements. Good photo's for somebody that has read a couple of beginner books. And has some knowledge of the techniques involved, they will not find the short descriptions to be a problem. I own it.



4. This book is so inspirational--lots of ideas and pictures that will move you. It shows so many techniques and designs that you are only limited by your imagination. If you only have one book in your library, this is THE one to get.



5. I did not know her books but it is a pleasure going through it what quality

1 comments about Rings: Jewelry of Power, Love, and Loyalty.

1. This book has a lot of pictures and gives a brief history of the rings. I can look through this book again and again and never get board. I would recommend this book. Well worth what I paid.

5 comments about Complete Guide to Needlework.

1. This volume lives up to the title. It is most definitely a very complete guide to needlework. The instructions are flawless, and the lovely presentation will encourage you to try new things and refresh old skills. The Complete Guide to Needlework would make a perfect gift for the crafter in your life, but be sure to buy another copy for yourself. It's just THAT GOOD!



2. I had to buy this book for a fibers class and i'm glad i did. this book is great! easy to follow instructions. if you can get the older one, the cover is much cuter! it helped me learn lots of embroidery stitches, basics of quilting, and the macrame section is great!



3. An oldie but a goodie...I love it as it has everything. It is for any type of needlework what the "Joy of Cooking" is for cooking...if you want to know how to do something look here.



4. What a deal!!! Has absolutely everything about the basics of almost every kind of stitchery. A real find.



5. If there were more craft books like this one, I wouldn't need so many craft books! This one has it ALL.
   
   Yes, some have pointed out that the projects are somewhat dated. Published in 1979, the Complete Guide to Needlework is 6 years older than I am. However, if you're interested enough in crafting to even read it, you should be creative enough to improvise.
   
   If there's a knit stitch or applique technique you just can't find, maybe it's in here. Trust me, it's all here. And with so many available used for under $1 on this site, it's a fantastic find.

5 comments about Charted Knitting Designs: A Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns.

1. This book is an excellent source of beautiful knitting patterns, including lace, cable and patterns. The black and white photo's of the stitches are so sharp and detailed, the designs pop off the page. The best part, for me, the charts are very large and so easy to see (without my glasses on!)and very easy to understand what she is telling you to do. She also gives some instructional information as well that is very good. If you buy only one knitting stitch book, this is the one to get!



2. Barbara Walker is amazing and her book has been an endless source of inspiration. Anyone interested in designing their own patterns will love this book.



3. This along with the other Treasuries of Knitting Patterns are must-haves for the experienced and dedicated knitter.



4. No, I did not buy this book - I had a look at it at the local library and am very glad I did. Just as 2 previous books by Barbara Walker are a definite treasure, this one has a major flow - the so-called charts.
   
   Those charts don't look or feel like real knitting charts, which I used for the past 40 years. Symbols are counter-intuitive, odd and often illegible. Cable charts look more like a preliminary drawings of patterns than real charts. And atop of this, we have SAME symbols designating DIFFERENT stitches, because often what is knitted in front must be purled in the back... so if I were to buy this book I would have to do what I always have been doing with Barbara Walker books - first draw charts from her instructions AND pictures of the samples (just in case there are any errors in the instructions), and only then knit. The difference is that before I used to draw charts from textual descriptions, and now I would be drawing them from photos.
   It is a real shame, because otherwise this book contains many hundreds of beautiful, witty and elegant patterns. A few I had recognized from old pattern books by Burda Moden. Now, Burda has incredibly good charts, legible even if the text is in a language we don't know - because a picture is worth a thousand words - that is, a good picture, not just any scribble. Why not use a charting convention similar to Burda's, in particular if the author shows familiarity with these publications?
   
   But if you are willing to trace the actual working chart from the photos, the work should be easy, because photographs are incredibly clear and more legible than the charts.



5. I do not read charts YET, but bought this book because of the really good explanation of how to read charts. I have two of her non charted books and love them.The amount of patterns in this book are mind-boggling. And I have to admit, the spider pattern was the real reason I bought the book. My teenagers love that pattern, so I will be working a sweater or two with a spider on the shoulder or on the back. Actually it is fun enough that I may do a wrap/shawl for me with the spider on it just for fun--and I am 40+ years old!

5 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Using Woodworking Tools (Complete Illustrated Guide).

1. Overall this book is very well illustrated, it contains information on some tools and put an emphasis on hand tools.
   
   The book is basically a catalog of the different tools and the basic techniques to use them.
   
   I was expecting to at least have some discussions on how to set them up, and care for them. I was also hoping to find more detail discussion on how to chose a power tool (other than you can find some great bargain on used items).
   There is a small section on sharpening but I guess you need to buy the book dedicated to the subject to go anywhere.



2. Publications by Lonnie Bird are always excellent and informative to woodworkers, and this one achieves the same high level. I am enjoying reading Illustrated Guide to Using Woodworking Tools and looking forward to more time in the workshop with this publication.



3. This is a good book. However, Lonnie Bird writes not as clear as Gary Rogowski, Andy Ray or especially Kelly Mehler. This is also applied to his "Band saw" book.
   There is no clear analysis of cons and pros of different tools. Use of the tools does not contain alternative approaches too. He really thinks that only high end equipment is useful.



4. I began woodworking about one year ago and started by taking some classes at the local woodworking store. I had the idea in my head to build a wooden chest and finding a good starting place was not easy. Most of the wood workers I encounter are all over the spectrum of skill. No one really had a comprehensive method for teaching woodworking or where to start with the tools of woodworking. I think that this book gives a great start when it comes to selection of necessary tools as well as some general knowledge of how to use them. Keep in mind that a book can not accurately describe the pressure and overall feel of how to use a Plane or any other tool for that matter. These kinds of skills must come from doing.
   
   I have all the other Taunton press books in the "Complete Illustrated" set and I think that together I have a great reference set to begin designing and working with wood. They also all match each other and this makes my bookshelf look good as well. I would recommend the hardcover over the soft cover because it can be more easily used in the shop this way.



5. los libros de Taunton son muy buenos en general y de una calidad gráfica fuera de serie.En temas de woodworking aquí en España en libros estamos muy por debajo y una guía como esta es una ayuda extraordinaria. lo recomiendo y deseo que se publique una version en español para los que nos cuesta lidiar con el inglés.
   Muy bueno el envío aunque no tenemos las ventajas de los USA.
   Enhorabuena al distribuidor por el servicio.

5 comments about Pretty Little Patchwork.

1. I ordered this book, thinking there would be some new, unique, funky projects to make. There are a few nice ones that I might try, but overall I was disappointed with the selection of projects. Most of them are quite basic and not really things that I would use or make.
   
   If you're a beginner sewer then you'll find these projects easy, as they have good instructions. A few of the pictures of finished projects look kind of "cheap" to me, like something my kids would make...
   
   If you're looking for some fun projects to make, I would recommend Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects. The projects have a more "finished" look and I think they are more useful.



2. I was very disappointed with this book. The cover is positively enchanting, but the rest of the projects look very amateurish in my opinion.



3. Pretty Little Patchwork by Lark Books
   
   Está bien el único fallo es que no tiene esquemas del paso a paso.



4. Mostly this book is just regular patterns made with patchwork fabric. The clutch on the front could easily be made with any clutch pattern, substituting a section of pieced fabric when you cut out the pattern. The apron with the fringe of patchwork down the side and many of the other patterns seem a bit forced as far as 'patchwork' goes. There is one quite interesting fabric basket, but overall there's nothing particularly interesting or unique in the book. It might be worth checking a copy out from the library to jump-start your creativity, but I probably wouldn't buy it.



5. Lark Book usually offer high quality titles, but this one does not. The projects are quite amateurish and look unfinished instead of polished. Nothing original in this book.

2 comments about Textile Testing and Analysis.

1. This book is not only poorly written, it is also poorly edited. I am not a textile engineer or textile technologist, and I found obvious errors in the first chapters that would actually affect the quality of work anyone using this book would perform. I think that the authors of this book should be ashamed of themselves. I suspect they are professors that needed to be published, and now they are. Their peers should review this book before giving them any credibility.



2. For anyone who is involved in textile testing and analysis, this book is very thorough. It not only lists which acceptable testing standards to use, AATCC, ASTM, etc. but it explains different considerations for unexpected results. I'm not sure what business someone who is "not a textile engineer or textile technologist" has reviewing this book. I doubt it was intended to be a great work of literature to read in one's spare time. I do however believe that it is an excellent resource and guide to anyone who actually works in a textile lab and analyzes test results.

5 comments about Sewing Edges & Corners: Decorative Techniques for Your Home and Wardrobe (An Embellishment Idea Book Series).

1. Although the idea for this book is very good . Instead of staying on the subject and trying to explain to a novice what all this is about it goes on to other things like novelty edges etc which is not the reason I bought the book for. And they don't as usually make good use of the available pages for instance there are great big pictures of the finished project and tiny ones for the steps and very few for these. And then a whole page of a picture of materials which is completely useless like page 22, 86, 84, 72, 66 and of course page 58 which appears twice in this book. Such a waste of pages and photographs.



2. I met Linda Lee and she thought I had just bought the book and offered to give me a new one, because I have used it so much already and she thought it was damaged... I just smiled and said no I brought mine to the class and she smiled knowing I have already but it to good use... worth the money...



3. I couldn't wait to get this book, but what a disappointment. Don't expect to get clear instructions because you won't! The diagrams and instructions are extremely vague, and you will be left up in the air as to how to complete an item, you get one tiny bit of info and you're meant to just know how to finish the thing off. Not worth the money and if I wasn't so far away I'd return it!!



4. I bought this book, in the hopes that it would help me with the finer details in making up cushions. Well, I am more than pleased with the book. I was a little apprehensive, after reading some of the reviews here, but am really glad that I went ahead anyways, and bought the book. The book, is easy to read and the directions are easy to understand.



5. Okay, I'm a novice sewer. I have lots of novice/fun books from Amy Butler and others on how to make cute projects such as fabric baskets, pajamas and pillows. Enter my frustration. Most "beginner" books will tell you to finish a seam by "basting" or "cut into the allowance". It all seems like a foriegn language. If that be the case, Linda's book here is the translation for how to actually finish your project by making those edges and corners look professional. Between this book and Sewing 101 (which I also highly recommend), I was able to accomplish a task my husband considered impossible. I am looking at a set of beautiful designer-fabric pillows, made by me (yes me, a young 30 something)!! Can't wait to move on to some of those cute projects in other eh-hem books. Thanks, Linda for writing a clearly illustrated text with instructions in clear language!

5 comments about The Foam Book : An Easy Guide to Building Polyfoam Puppets.

1. I bought the foam book at an early stage in my puppet making, I'd made two puppets by that point and thought I'd learn a lot from this book.
   
   In particular I'd hoped for a lot of info on creating foam patterns for head shapes. This area in the book is really not very good. It only briefly touches on the three piece head patterns and the examples they give don't even work in practice without some serious adjustment. Though if you're at a very early stage you find some info useful.
   
   The rest of the book has a lot of interesting ideas that could work well in practice. The authors are not the best designers so none of the puppets featured in the book are particularly pretty to look at. But the techniques could easily be applied to a better puppet design.
   
   I'd say that a lot of people will be a bit past this book to be honest. There are better tutorials on the internet for free. But there are some things to be learned from this book.



2. This is a GREAT book in so many ways but I do feel as a beginner that there are a few things they left out. I found myself left with a few questions and no way of discovering what to do next. One thing that would of been great would be fabric/material swatches. I think I know what I'm looking for but swatches would help.



3. I got this book for my 11-year-old boy. I can't imagine a better book to show you how to make puppets. It has everything you need!



4. I expected more from a 25$ book, this is not suitable for kids due to the fact that there is nearly not enough diagrams and simple color images.
   For young adults maybe good but again not enough break down on the actual manufacturing process. I don't like putting bad reviews, but due to the fact that I use a lot of books to teach and work. This is deffently overrated. My advice is start with 'the puppetry handbook' by Anita Sinclair ....It is great value



5. This book has a lot of helpful information for builders of all skill levels. Not only does it provide the prospective puppeteer several different techniques, but you also get a list of resources for the various materials that go into building puppets. From various foam suppliers to the rare distributor of the holy grail of fleeces this book will help you track down what you need.

5 comments about Lacy Little Knits: Clingy, Soft & A Little Risque.

1. I love this book. After looking at the images I knew I had to have it. I'm working on one of the Chevron Ruana now. I will definitely make good use of it, and will definitely tell all my knitting friends about this book.



2. Most of it designed for 18 year old girls size 2. There were 2 older models in there, one of whom looked ridiculous in the childish top she was wearing. Lots of the designs you have to make in little pieces and then put together. I am sorry I bought it, won't use a single design in it. I am an experienced knitter with 50 years experience.



3. Unique designs using different gauge & content yarns in combination. The styles are pretty and demure. This is not a book for you if you're looking for "edgy" styles. The ones using one yarn are fine for beginners, but the combo patterns are definitely intermediate level (and time-consuming). Includes modular-style patterns and a detailed techniques section. My one complaint is that the author's yardage recommendations JUST HAPPEN to coincide with the yarn she uses, which of course, are all to be from her own company, ARTYARNS. I.e. a small lacy beanie hat doesn't require 379 yards. One needs about 1/3 of that. Humph! Also there are supposedly free bonus patterns you get if you go to her website. I e-mailed over a week ago and still haven't received them. Hmmm.



4. I found many of the patterns inside to be a little on the more "mature looking" side, in that the patterns seem more suited to maybe 30-40 year olds (which makes most of their young models seem a little out of place in the pieces). Having said that there are a few very pretty ones that I'd love to try out.



5. The designs in this book are not risque, but they are light and somewhat see-through. Most of the models are wearing camisoles--which are really for very slim, non-busty types. Even though the pattern sizing does run larger, most of the designs, imho, would not look good on average/larger sized women who need to wear more substantial undergarments--in this respect, the book is similar to Loop D Loop. Two exceptions are the Diagonals in Flight Sweater (although if I'm wearing a sweater, I want it to be warm) and the Chevron Ruana--they would look good on most women.
   
   On the other hand, if some of these designs were made in some nice (and much less expensive!) cotton, or linen, they would make great bathing suit cover-ups. But you're going to have to do a lot of swatching, because the author provides no substitution information. Start with the needle sizes mentioned in each pattern and go from there with your yarn choices.
   
   I love many of the designs, but would use them more for inspiration, because I would want to definitely use different yarns on most of them. Also, I found the directions to be written in a rather convoluted manner, which just adds to the annoyance factor.
   
   Decent book, but do check it out of your library first to see if the patterns are to your taste.