5 comments about Home Decor for Beginners (Coats & Clark).

1. i'm a beginner sewer, was looking online for a how to book and bought this one. So far have made roman shades and outside chair cushion's. was soooo easy to do and now feel more confident to try other things.



2. I wanted this book so bad, so i went with one of the deals, two books for the price of x.]

   one of the books sewing 101 was on my list as well. Got them home and bingo, same pictures for duvet covers, some of the same identical print...., same insturctions, so i have 2 books, some money invested, and the same photo's. same instrucitons well you get i have a repeat of a book that i was lead to believe was on it's own so to speak and it is not. it is so tiny too.... thanks.




3. I gave the book four stars even though I have decided to not keep it. For those wanting to try some easy beginning home decorating projects this book has several popular examples such as roman shades and decorator pillows. However, this book ended up not being what I was looking for. I was looking for something with a little more instruction for total beginners like myself and almost all the designs rely on a sewing machine, which I don't own.



4. I got this book thinking that it was going to be for a complete beginner (like me), but I really did not think that it was, seemed to be more directed toward someone with some sewing experience or skill.I wasted my money on this book.



5. I bought this book with the intention of making some home decor items, but mostly to help me improve my sewing in general. I thought that the clear, step-by-step instructions and explanations were great, not only for the particular project, but also for obtaining useful general information. I did finally make the Roman shades, and they turned out great. Without this book, I'm not sure that I would have had the confidence to tackle this project.

5 comments about The Edwardian Modiste: 85 Authentic Patterns With Instructions, Fashion Plates, and Period Sewing Techniques.

1. Being a costumer, I'm frustrated that there aren't enough "authentic" patterns, with the fine details that they had, being produced out there, except for the "Halloween-type" costumes. This is a great resource for patterns that have the look and period-correct construction techniques. Ms. Grimble has chosen some truly beautiful ones from real vintage patterns to include in her book. I haven't had a chance to learn how to scale the patterns up yet, but look forward to it.



2. This book features patterns for dresses, skirts, shirts, jackets, underclothing (etc.) for the years 1905 and 1907-1909.
   It contains:
   20 (patterns) from 1905
   22 from 1907
   21 from 1908
   23 from 1909
   
   This is a good book, well up to Frances Grimble's high standards. It contains many patterns but can also double as a sourcebook, since it contains many pictures of clothes from fashion plates. I would recommend buying it, but make sure to research these years to find out if you really want it. Remember, this is mid-late edwardian.



3. Good book for creating fashions of the era .And the price for each pattern was a price I could not pass up.I love the patterns and clothes of days gone past and this is no exception.



4. As a director this was an excellant resource book, however my seamstresses found it next to impossible to figure out the patterns. It would take someone quite comfortable in making patterns. The directions are there and could be worked out with enough effort and trial. Still, as a resource it's great and was quite useful. The designs and details alone are worth the price.
   
   Cary Riggs
   Thomasville, GA



5. This book is exactually what I need for my costuming information. The book is excelent in illiustrations and patterns.

3 comments about Amigurumi Animals: 15 Patterns and Dozens of Techniques for Creating Cute Crochet Creatures.

1. "Amigurumi Animals" (titled "Crochet Animals" in the Australian edition and "Amigurumi" in the UK edition) is an excellent book for beginners with no experience in crochet. In this book, Annie Obaachan (who helped Rachel Matthews with her books "Knitorama" and "Hookorama"), provides patterns for making 15 simple Japanese-style crochet animals. Each animal is made out of simple shapes, such as spheres, eggs and sausages, which are among the simplest things to crochet, and instructions are given as both charts and in words. No prior knowledge of crochet is assumed and illustrated instructions are given of all crochet techniques. If I was teaching a child or young adult how to crochet, this would be the book that I would choose.
   
   For more experienced crocheters, it is likely that the patterns in this book will prove to be overly simplistic. I consider myself to be an intermediate crocheter, and I felt that the patterns in this book weren't challenging enough and seemed to be a bit amateurish, too. However, for people such as myself, this book is not a complete waste of money. From my point of view, the best part about this book was a chapter on designing your own Japanese-style/amigurumi animals. This chapter is the sort of thing that I have been looking for for a long time. In the past, when I have wanted to design my own toys, I have taken existing patterns and made attempts (with varying levels of success) to adapt them to my needs. This book removes that necessity. It provides tips on the initial design process; instructions for making the components of the toys to your own measurements (that is, sausages, eggs, spheres etc); and advice on giving your animals facial expression. I also found the gallery of photographs of amigurumi animals, provided at the end of this book, to be inspiring.



2. I hesitated about ordering after reading the previous review. She was exactly right in her opinion. The toys look pretty simple and almost ugly and the yarns are very heavy compared to the other books I own on this topic. But the information on designing your own is not available elsewhere and makes the book worthwhile as does the gallery of other peoples' toys available online. Instructions are given in words and in charts using x's as in the Japanese books. Not a first purchase for this topic.



3. I own a few books now about amigurumi, and when I picked this one up, I definitely hesitated.
   
   It is not a BAD pattern book. But I do not find the patterns in it particularly appealing. The colour and yarn choices, even the shape and style of some of the animals aren't my cup of tea when it comes to amigurumi. So I know that I will not be making a single one if these patterns, but the thing that makes this book worthwhile is, as others here have pointed out, the remainder of the book's features.
   
   The section on planning and designing your own amigurumi, which I do, was pretty interesting. The rough drawings and eye/nose placement suggestions seemed very basic, but I can appreciate this would motivate some people into being inspired to design. When it comes to pattern books on this subject, I mainly look for inspiration, and I'd think this section would be helpful to some crocheters in this way.
   
   The gallery at the back is really what inspired me the most in this book. A crocheted "Pac Man" and ghosts? Incredible. There are some examples of some very beautiful and creative amigurumi at the end of this book, which is why I ended up bringing it home. Was it worth the cover price for just this end section? Probably not, but I enjoy adding to my collection of knit/crochet books, and I know I will reference that back section.
   
   I highly suggest you flip through it first and see if something in it appeals to you before buying. If it is patterns you are looking for, I do not think this book will prove as inspiring as others may to you. Take a look at it for its other features.

2 comments about Professional Pattern Grading for Women's, Men's, and Children's Apparel.

1. I can't believe nobody has reviewed this book because it is -hands down- the best book in the business. It's self-published so its release and publicity is limited but I can tell you this is the book that is most often USED in the apparel industry. Not the book most used in schools, but in real life (I've been a pattern maker for 25+ years). I guarantee all the pattern grading services keep it on hand! The way the grading charts and mapping is set up in the book most closely mirrors the way we work in the industry. The charts in competing books (Price/Zamkoff) are so complex but Handford's book nails it.
   
   Unlike many book authors, Handford was a pattern maker for years. He'd work in the industry for a spate of years, get disgusted, go back to school, get disgusted with school so he'd go back to pattern making, then in to teaching, then back to school, then back to manufacturing over and over. He did this over the lifetime of his career finally ending up with a Ph.D and 50 years of industrial experience! I mention his background because it means his book is keenly attentuated to the needs of everyone, students, pattern makers and educators. He did it all so he'd know what was most efficacious for all parties concerned. His book blends the needs of everyone simply and succinctly. You could buy another book rather than this one but I don't know why you would.



2. this book is best for people grading by hand, as it gives step by step instructions on how to move the pattern to grade up/down.
   it does NOT give standard grading charts of standard sizes. it gives only the BASIC BASIC grades between them, such as 2" for the waist.
   I was expecting something a lot more thorough and updated than this, especially since the apparel industry has changed so much. I wanted standard specs with grading, not common-sense instructions on shifting a pattern up and out, etc.

1 comments about Fitting & Pattern Alteration: A Multi-Method Approach.

1. Fitting & Pattern Alteration: A Multi-Method Approach...This guide provides hundreds of clear illustrations with concise descriptions of fitting issues and easy-to-follow directions to resolve them using several methods. The authors cover virtually every fitting aspect of the human body, including the special problems presented by those of us who may have physical problems that translate into badly fitting garments, from neck to ankle.

   Anyone frustrated with the results of their own apparel projects needs this guide on their sewing room bookshelf.

5 comments about The Complete Encyclopedia of Stitchery.

1. I am 22 and I was semi-interested in the therapuetic art of stitchery but wasn't sure which kind of stitchery I wanted to take up. This book is great for beginners because it is easy to understand and gives easy step-by-step instructions and illustrations to follow. Also, this book would be great for advanced stitchers because it gives many variations to make simple or complicated patterns for knitting or crocheting. The book goes over knitting, crocheting, emboidery, applique, sewing,quilting,tatting and rug binding. I learned Every knitting stitch in two weeks!!!



2. I actually have had this book for several years so this may very well be an updated version. Having said that, the one I have is just wonderful. It is full of easy to understand instructions for crocheting, embroidering, knitting, macrame, rugmakikng, sewing and tatting. A must have tool for stitchery crafts.



3. I bought this to replace my original. I was afraid it would get too worn out and I would be lost without it.
   
   Easy to follow instructions with illustrations.



4. This is a revision of an old book that has instructions of every type of hand stitching. It is an excellent guide and offers creative ideas. I have had this book for 20 years and I still find it to be most helpful and entertaining!



5. My mother gave me her old copy of this book years ago, and I will never part with it. It covers a variety of stitching styles with very detailed (and illustrated) instructions.
   
   I mostly stick with hand embroidery and I LOVE the sheer magnitude of stitches this book illustrates. Well over 100 different types with instructions and pictures and even ideas of where to use the stitch.

No comments about Vogue Sewing Quick Reference (Vogue Knitting).

3 comments about Hand Mending Made Easy: Save Time and Money Repairing Your Own Clothes.

1. I love this book because it is clear and simple.
   
   It covers several basics: knotting a thread, sewing on buttons, hemming, repairing ripped seams, replacing elastic and more.
   
   The directions are easy enough for a child to understand yet it doesn't talk down to adults or teens.
   
   As a seamstress with over 30 years experience, I am now starting to teach others to sew. I have been looking for a reference book for students interested in doing their own mending and quick repairs. It is a perfect book for anyone who is not going to be using a sewing machine but still wants to do some sewing.



2. Being able to mend a bit of clothing is economical, personally satisfying, and an indispensable skill that has almost been lost in the currents of our throw-away culture. The looming economic recession is beginning to introduce and instruct a whole new generation in the benefits of conserving garments through the use of a bit of needle and thread. Needlecraft expert Nan Ides' "Hand Mending Made Easy: Save Time And Money Repairing Your Own clothes" is specifically designed to teach novice sewers to use the economically beneficial option of making simple, common repairs ranging from sewing on buttons, to fixing seams, to ironing, to repairing broken zippers. Superbly organized, illustrated and presented, "Hand Mending Made Easy" is an ideal instruction manual and reference for students, bachelors, working women, and anyone else operating on a limited budget and needing to make their clothing look good while recovering from the inevitable wear and tear they are subjected to. Of special note is the chapter on when not to try mending a garment. "Hand Mending Made Easy" is a money-saving and enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal or community library Needlecraft reference shelf.



3. This book is great for those who have never threaded a needle. Lots of pictures and directions are clear.

2 comments about More Sewing Machine Fun (I'll Teach Myself).

1. Of this entire 4 book series, this one is the best. There are so many useful and fun things for children, and even begining adults to make. I have found that my children always want to come with me to th fabric stores now so they can get fabric for their next project. There are so many easy and fun things to do in this book that children will be able to apprecate all the time such as th book covers and the lunch bag.



2. Excellent!

   Very helpful, kid friendly, lots of fun packed in the book. Easy to read for school age children.

   Really helped make learning a great experience. Kids just love looking at this book and all the others in the series and so do I. Half the battle is keeping interested and the book really makes that possible.

   Wouldn't live without it! Helped take the fear of of learning to sew for me with my new machine after very little sewing experience - and for the kids who were interested in my new sewing machine. I recommend it for anyone three and up!

   Once I bought one I had to have the set (two sets actually- one for me and one for them...)- a lot of fun.

4 comments about Kwik Sew's Beautiful Lingerie.

1. It's filled with ideas on making my own beautiful lingerie



2. This is a well-written, readable, very useful book. My only
   regret is that it was published in 1990, and shows its age a
   little bit. For example, in the past several years many
   more types of knit fabric have become available for home
   sewing, and some (e.g. slinky) are quite a bit more stretchy
   than the knit fabrics listed in the book, so they may
   require taking in the patterns for a closer fit.

   The book has sections on techniques and on how to use the
   patterns to make whole garments. The patterns include a
   camisole, half slip, chemise or full slip, teddy, panties,
   nightgowns with different yokes, and robes. They are sized
   XS-XL, which means bust measurement 31.5-45" and hips
   32.25-47". They are to be cut on the straight grain of the
   fabric when using knits and on the bias for wovens. They
   are printed on both sides of the paper, so unless you don't
   want the pattern on the back of the one you're using, trace
   it onto other paper before you use it.

   Some people have found that Kwik Sew's panties tend to be
   cut too wide in the crotch, so it's a good idea check that
   pattern against some of your ready-to-wear. Other than
   that, their patterns seem to fit well and have the correct
   sizing according to measurements.

   The half slip is your basic two-piece elastic-waist version
   like the kind you'd find in a store, with an optional slit.
   The camisole and chemise have an M-shaped upper front edge,
   curved shirttail hem, and narrow straps. The teddy is
   closer fitting and designed for knits only, with wide
   straps, princess seams, and an elastic waist. The
   nightgowns and robes are the loose type gathered to a yoke,
   but further along in the book there are explanations of how
   to use the camisole or teddy bodice pattern pieces to make
   closer-fitting gowns.

   The book has a large, detailed section on how to use lace,
   and another on different hem finishes. Near the back is a
   section on how to make trims and applique. All these
   sections have step-by-step instructions and good
   illustrations. (If you prefer accompanying photographs
   rather than drawings, try out Singer's Sewing Lingerie
   book.) In the rest of this book there are lots of photos of
   finished garments showing different design ideas and
   explanations of how to use the patterns to accomplish them.
   Even if you never use the patterns in the book, the
   techniques described can be extremely useful on other
   projects, even if they're not lingerie.




3. This is a very good book, as all the other books that Mrs. Martensson has published. It is very detailed, shows how to do all the things with plenty of illustrations and photographs, and gives the patterns in the most common sizes. It even shows you how to do some basic alterations to them for a great deal of garments. The only thing I missed in this book is a basic bra pattern, but other than that, all other patterns are great, and I have used them extensively. I sew most of my clothes, and these patterns have made making my underwear and lingerie a pleasure. I have enjoyed making the things in this and in other books I have bought from Kwik Sew for many years. I highly recommend it.



4. Very Helpful in making new underwear. The pattern were helpful. I will like to get more books in the series.