5 comments about The Big Book of Weaving: Handweaving in the Swedish Tradition: Techniques, Patterns, Designs and Materials.

1. This book is a must for the library of most weaver's
   especially those with counter march or counter balance looms.
   Doug. 8th April 2008



2. This English translation of the Swedish version of this book makes it possible for more weavers to recreate awesome handwoven pieces. The directions are clear and the photography inspiring.



3. I purchased this book for a very specific reason - to figure out how to make my 4 harness Glimakra into an 8 harness. It did that and so much more. If I were a beginning weaver, this book would be a "must have" in my library. As a more seasoned weaver, I feel much the same way. Every technique has not only a verbal description but good diagrams as well. It covers the basics with good hints for making things easier. It goes beyond the basics with very useful information on patterns and materials. Thank you to the translator for making this available to us in English. A great resource!



4. I learned to weave, many years ago, while living in Norway, gave it up for another number of years but have now had the time to return to this wonderful past time. Weaving in the Swedish Tradition book was a Bible for Weavers back then and I'm thrilled to see that it has been translated into English.
   I highly recommend this book for both novice and experienced weavers!
   Thanks,
   Happy Weaver



5. This book is clearly presented. The book covers the basics, particularly for counterbalance, countermarch looms. It presents warping from back to front. Many helpful tips are given for basic weaving techniques. There are interesting Swedish style patterns and illustrations.

5 comments about 500 Pitchers: Contemporary Expressions of a Classic Form (500 Series).

1. The book that I ordered arrived on time and in great condition.



2. this entire series of pottery books is wonderful. They're inspiring and cover a wide range of styles and techniques. My own tastes and pottery style aspire more to classic wedgwood and chinese porcelains rather than the more popular organic, earthy pottery one usually sees. It is nice that this series includes examples from the entire spectrum of contemporary potters.



3. I am delighted with this book! It provides beautiful photography, stunning and varied examples of expertly-crafted pitchers, and unlimited design inspiration. Very little text is included -- the book is devoted to the photographs that illustrate these wonderful examples of form, glazing, and firing techniques. I definitely will be purchasing the "500 Cups" book now!



4. "500 Pitchers" is my 3rd of the "500" series of pottery books - and I have loved each one! It is a must have for all potters and especially students - each book is filled with images of great works of the potter's art, giving ideas for form and surface. I truly hope that they will do a second edition of each with new works!



5. This covers the topic well and was chosen as a gift for a student of visual art and applied design [my daughter] - it was on her wish list. We are collecting the whole 500 sets.

5 comments about Bag Style: 20 Inspirational Handbags, Totes, and Carry-alls to Knit and Crochet (Style series).

1. I am a huge fan of Scarf Style; it truly has a scarf for everyone (I've made for 3 different people already, and have others in the works). So I was very excited to order Bag Style, and pretty disapointed when I finally got to thumb through it. Out of the patterns, there are only 2 I remotely liked, the one on the cover (but it turns out you have to felt it, which I can't stand doing) and a cute little purse that incorporates a wooden knitting needle. The other patterns were just too kitschy or too far from current fashion trends for me to consider. I would have liked to see a few more "classic" styles, as well as some more realistic trendy selections, to round the collection out.



2. This book is full of super cute and trendy bag/purse projects. Out of all the knitting books dedicated to handbags, this by far is the best one I've found yet. I can sincerely say I like just about every single pattern. I made one of the bags for my best friend and she said she gets compliments all the time. One note: I'm in my twenties and think these are adorable. Granted if you are older or just simply have more traditional taste, you may not like some of these patterns but I find them all to be just the right mix of trendy, sophisticated and classic.



3. If you are looking for something to make in the latest knitting trend, well here is a nice selection of knitted bags. There are bags knitted with cotton to felted wool. I especeially like the cover bag and can't wait to knit it. Nice addition to my knitting library collection.



4. I found it peculiar in the extreme when I read this book to see so many remarks about how different and cool crochet is now, compared to "our mother's crochet." Has the author ever read any of the 70s crochet books by Del Pittman? Or "Design Crochet?" Maybe best of all: "A New Look at Crochet?" And the books by James Walters and Sylvia Cosh take crochet innovation to a new dimension. These books make the patterns in this book look like 1960's McCall's Needlework and Crafts magazine - and I mean pre-hippie styles. In fact, there is a dress in here that I'm positive is almost identical to one from an old '60s McCall's NWC! Exciting possibilities you will NOT find in this book. Cute stuff made from patterns you will. I could never follow a crochet pattern as written - drove me nuts. Then I found a copy of "A New Look at Crochet" in a second hand book store for about $3 and have never looked back. It's way easier to crochet if you know how to make the yarn do what you want, and then just do it, than to follow a pattern. I gave the book a mid-level review, as there are some cute things here, but for innovation, it really is less than mid-level. But, according to many reviews I read, seems as though other people prefer to faithfully follow patterns. So, if you do, ignore me.



5. I bought this book because I liked more than half of the patterns. It has a nice variety--book bags, messenger bags, a clutch, a tote bag, bags to knit, bags to crochet, dressy bags, casual bags, girly-girl bags, tomboy bags, easy bags and experienced knitter bags.
   
   My first project was the Knitting Bag. I'm a beginning knitter on the verge of being an intermediate knitter. After I figured out how to do the trinity stitch, this bag was a slam dunk. And, regardless of what the pattern says, this bag NEEDS to be lined to be useful. The instructions for the Knitting Bag were clear and correct.
   
   I planned to do the Lace Market Bag next but the lace pattern is SO HARD. It's teeth-gnashingly frustrating. Making a mistake in the lace pattern usually meant ripping out 4 rows and throwing the bag across the room. It requires full focus and no knitting while watching TV. WAAAAAY too much work for something I'm gonna stuff groceries in. I went with the Saturday Market Bag pattern available for free on Ravelry instead (and knocked that bag out in 8 hours).
   
   I'm currently knitting the Fair Isle Book Bag. It's not particularly interesting to knit, but I like the bag and it's a great way to learn Fair Isle. The instructions are fiddly but accurate.
   
   Aside from the patterns, the thing I like about this book is that it talks about how to design a bag--shapes, how to construct a sturdy bag--all sorts of considerations for bag design. So after I complete the Boot Bag (featured on the front cover), I'm gonna design my own bag!

5 comments about The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions (Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions).

1. This book arrived in time for Christmas gifting and was in excellent condition.



2. Kids don't care how much money you spend on stuff so don't! Use things in the house to create paints and toys. I also bought one for the playgroup teacher.



3. We bought it for our daughter that works in a nursery school. She likes it. Easy to do - good ideas.



4. This book has GREAT ideas! Right when I got it I had to sit down with my kids and read them all the cool things that we could make. We can't wait to try everything!



5. I've done some of the experiments in this book with 1st graders. This book is fantastic!

5 comments about The Complete Serger Handbook.

1. If you are new to serging, this book is an excellent introduction to the topic. It covers all the basics very clearly and is well illustrated. Beginners can't go wrong here; experienced serger users will want something more advanced.



2. Although I've sewn since I was a teenager, I'm new to serging. This is the ideal starter book. Its explanations are clear, as are its trouble-shooting tips, & it's logically organized. It will be sitting next to my serger for some time to come.



3. I already own a copy of this book so I purchased this for a friend who is new to the sergers. This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn how to use a serger. I have read it three times and each time I learn something new. Sergers are a very different animal than a sewing machine, so regardless to what brand you have this book will help you master how to use it and troubleshoot it when necessary.



4. I own four serger books and this is by far the most useful. It is a great resource for those new to serging, especially if the instruction manual that came with your serger is inadequate. The book covers all of the basics needed for serging without previous experience - serger parts, threading, tension, basic operations, serging knit fabrics, rolled hems, troubleshooting, etc. The author is obviously quite experienced in pointing out common serger pitfalls to the beginner.



5. I am new to using a serger and found this gem of a book to help me understand how to get the most out of it. The explanations are easy to read with plenty of photos for greater understanding. This handbook covers all you need to know about using a serger,from serger parts, threads, threading, tension controls and techniques. There's guides in the back to help with trouble shooting and machine maintainance as well. I have yet to find another book that explains so much about the functions and features of a serger in such a user friendly format. I'd recommend it to anyone who has, or is thinking of buying a serger - from beginner to advanced!

5 comments about Kaffe Fassett's Kaleidoscope of Quilts.

1. I love color and pattern, especially almost anything from Kaffe Fassett. The patterns in the book are simple, not complex, especially if you use his wonderful fabrics. But the patterns can be used with any fabric you like. His patterns are written differently than most of the current strip piecing books we see these days, so that's a little more challenging at first. I have all of his books and love 'em all!



2. With every Kaffe Fassett book I read, I think it can't get any better, but each book is different and has more wonderful quilts and they are all over the top! This book is no exception!
   
   KALEIDOSCOPE OF QUILTS has the perfect title! As a child, I enjoyed coloring books and crayons, but my most favorite toy was my kaleidoscope! I've been pouring over the colorful photographs in this book and enjoying my day dreams of making some of these designs. The quilts were photographed in Malta. That beautiful island in the Mediterranean lends itself as a splendid backdrop to this series of quilts. I love the way the old fashioned designs such as: fans, stars, diamonds and pinwheels are used to set off the wonderful Rowan fabric line.
   
   Twenty different quilts are featured and besides Kaffe`s, there are designs by several other talented patchwork designers. My favorites: Victoria Fan, Hot Diamonds, Bottle Pinwheel, Deep Ohio Star, and Morning Garden all by Kaffe Fassett; the New Orleans Star by Liza Prior Lucy; Moonflowers by Ruth Eglinton and Matisse Villa by Roberta Horton. Instructions are given for making the quilts and they are rated for the level of sewing experience required. There is also a fun and interesting article by Mary Mashuta featuring some of her colorful quilt creations.



3. I had looked forward to receiving this book but have to say I was extremely dissapointed. I had heard so much about Kaffe and was keen to branch out into brighter less traditional quilts. My first impression was, "traditional blocks in ugly fabrics". I put the book aside for a few days and took another look and my next impressions was "paint by numbers" - hardly creative.
   
   While some of the quilts do come up as stunning when complete I havent learnt anything new. As I am unlikely to track down the fabrics used I am unlikely to ever recreate the quilts. The instructions are scant and there is nothing new to learn with regard to colour. I feel that I have actually gone out and purchased advertising material, which usually doesnt make it from the mail box to the house. Otherwise a nice coffe-table book.



4. The quilts are beautifully photographed. The designs are bold, the colors rich and expressive. Best of all there are instructions for construction and piecing diagrams. I am sure it looks easier than it is, but I am excited about creating one of these quilts.



5. Such glorious use of color in this book. The designs are easy enough make into your own quilt, and the photos give courage to venture outside the pastel patchwork and boring log cabin designs to make a quilt that is bright and elegant and delicious to live with.

5 comments about Collage Lost and Found: Creating Unique Projects With Vintage Ephemera.

1. I had high hopes for learning more about collaging with ephemera, but this is not the book. I'm still looking for one better than Claudine Hellmuth's Collage Discovery Workshop: Make Your Own Collage Creations Using Vintage Photos, Found Objects and Ephemera -- the first edition is my altered arts bible.



2. Usually I buy these types of books and page through them - loving the pictures, but never thinking it is something I could actually do. With this book I immediately went and purchased some materials and sat down and tried some of the simpler ideas. I love how the author took the time to make clear step-by-step instructions and included a LOT of pictures for the steps. There are projects that are very simple (magnets) to things much more complicated. I think there's something for everyone.



3. I would give 10 stars if I could! I have enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would. I made the beeswax collage for my first project and was thrilled with the results. This book has wonderful pictures for inspiration and very clear instructions for an experienced artist or a beginner. I am hooked!



4. If you are new to collage then this book is a great place to start. This is one of my favorite books! I love vintage and I love collage! This book is as good as Collage Discovery Workshop.



5. I love this book! It is full of pictures and how-to instructions! I can't wait to get started with my collage projects.

5 comments about More Making Books by Hand: Exploring Miniature Books, Alternative Structures, and Found Objects.

1. This book is good for the crafter with a bit of experience. It has some great ideas for someone who has a little bit of knowledge about making books by hand. The instructions are pretty easy to understand and the end projects are wonderful!



2. This book is divided into two sections. The first one is an introduction to the techniques and materials used for bookbinding. The technique are illustrated with clear drawings to show you what to do. I don't know anything about bookbinding so I can't tell if this part of the book describes best practices, traditional techniques, or modern adaptations. I can say, however, that it was perfectly understandable and clear. The materials are all common and easy to find...though I would have liked to see more brand names mentioned, just so that I was EXTRA sure I was getting the right stuff at the store.
   
   The second part of the book contains instructions for a series of projects. Unless you are a pretty good artist, there's no way you will be able to reproduce these incredible miniature books since many of them include original artwork. But WOW, are they cool to look at! And of course you can design your own pages using stickers, clipart, cutouts, rubber stamps, or anything else.
   
   Keep in mind that when the authors say "miniature," they mean it! The projects are all very small. (The techniques section in front will help you learn how to make books of any size, though.)



3. For a beginner, I found everything I needed in this book, from materials to step-by-step instructions. Very easy to follow.



4. EXCELLENT illustrations! This book not only provides excellent ideas, it also CLEARLY shows you how to execute the techniques necessary to complete the project! Excellent reference book for anyone who wants to create their own professional looking books!



5. I was looking for a book with good instructions, nice photos, and interesting projects. This book definitely fits that description. I am loving using the sample projects as a catalyst for my own creative ideas & the authors made it easy with the detailed information provided.

5 comments about Mastering the Art of McTavishing.

1. Karen showed step-by-step her art. The DVD was a bonus. I put it in the player watched as many times as I needed to. This book set was a great find!!! Karen's Trapunto book is great too!!



2. Really enjoyed this book! Because it also comes with a DVD---you can see actual examples and how they are done --- making the technique easier to duplicate. I wish other authors of techniques would think about doing the same thing!



3. I found this book truly inspirational. Even though I only use a domestic machine, I can't wait to 'play' with this method. It has fuelled my ambition even further to one day own a long-arm quilting machine. Have yet to kick off the kids long enough to watch the dvd, but am looking forward to doing that shortly. The illustrations and explanations made it easy to imagine what can be produced, and the photographs of the quilts took my breath away.
   Marita from Australia



4. I am trying to expand my knowledge of free motion quilting and found this book to be exceptional. It gave me the "tools" I needed to jump in and go a new direction with free motion quilting. Mastering the Art of McTavishing



5. This is a wonderful book and Amazon did a great job getting it to me before I needed it for a class I was taking.

5 comments about Make Your Own Contemporary Quilts (Hachette General Reference).

1. I like this book but I'm glad I borrowed it before purchasing. After looking at it, there are only two quilt patterns that I found interesting and I'm only going to make one. So I saved some money. But if you're just starting out with quilting and want a less traditional path, this book might be for you. The instructions are good, the measurements are in metric and American, the photos are decent and the author has a great color sense.



2. I was looking for something that offered a different approach from appliqued flowers and standard flowery blocks and I wasnt disappointed. I also wanted to be able to make quilts that used "preloved fabrics" couragously and in particular embroidered doilies that had seen better days. Instructions are easy to follow and the patterns are simple but inspiring -I'm happy!



3. I wasn't that impressed by this book. As far as the more contemporary styles, I prefer The Modern Quilt Workshop by Bill Kerr and I also like Denise Schmidt's work.



4. I have been quilting for over 30 years and have tried the traditional quilts that have blocks and sashings and so on. I have done Amish inspired quilts. I have quilted up landscape quilts and watercolor quilts. I have done custom quilting for clients, and three-dimentional quilts. Basically, there hasn't been much I haven't quilted. Yet, in spite of saying that, I LOVE this book. The author takes a fresh approach to fabric selection---yes---she deviates from cotton--HORRORS! and allows you as a quilter to explore a creativity within yourself you didn't know existed. I wish I had had this book many years ago. Now I want to go clean out my personal library and donate many of my quilting books to the public library. This book has satisfied that niche I had needed for so long. A definite 5-star.



5. This book is full of quilts made from alternate materials - I was looking for some more modern patterns in *cottons* so they would be washable and more usable. I'm not going to shell out a few hundred bucks for drycleaning these special materials. They are pretty but not as functional as I was looking for. I sent it back.