5 comments about Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista.

1. I've had my Mom's sewing machine (circa 1969)- in a sewing table - for almost 20 years now and I haven't used it once in all those years.
   
   Well, except for the table part which has happily held a lamp, some assorted papers, and general knicknacks.
   
   This book actually inspired me to open the table up, pop out the machine and start sewing.
   
   The conversational tone put me at ease and while I can understand why those with more sewing experience might not find it helpful, I really appreciated the "hand-holding" contained in the book.
   
   Is it the be-all and end-all of sewing books? Of course not. Will I someday graduate beyond what's offered in the pages? I hope so!
   
   But this book inspired me, helped me past my fear of the bobbin and that's what I needed. A little hand-holding kick-start.



2. I had hoped to get some ideas from this book, but it's really geared towards teens or younger. Would be good to spark the creativity of a young seamstress, but was not fo me, an experienced sewer/crafter.



3. Although I have only flicked through this book, I can see myself finding pretty handy as a reference and for inspiration. Definately for people who do love to re-create op shop or their old clothes. I bought their other book Subersive Seamster with this book and found them very similar in theme but still all different ideas.



4. I am an avid crafter, taught to sew by my mother. I am now 30 with almost 2 decades of sewing behind me. I checked this book out of the local library, hoping to scope out some fun, fast projects. What I found was a book of horribly lame ideas and even worse craftsmanship. Do yourself a favor and skip this book.
   
   If your a beginner, save your dough and invest in sewing classes.



5. Some interesting ideas and written in a non-threatening way. For a book that encourages you to customize however, it needs more focus on how to draft your own pattern and adjust it to fit your own body.
   Will work really well if you are young, slim and flat chested. If you have curves however, you wont get much you can actually use from this book.

5 comments about Sew & Stow: 31 Fun Sewing Projects to Carry, Hold, and Organize Your Stuff, Your Home, and Yourself!.

1. This book is pretty good but the projects are not as innovative or different as I would like and the instructions are not the clearest.



2. I go by the rule of not buying a book unless I'll do at least 3 of the projects in it. This book barely made the cut. I didn't find anything terribly innovative, and the format of the book was not nearly as good as some other craft books I've gotten. All of the pictures are in the front, and the instructions for the projects follow. This results in a lot of flipping back and forth, which is never very handy when it comes to craftiness.



3. I really like the patterns in this book. They solve problems in a practical way. I had been wanting to make grocery totes and had an idea of what I wanted to do - Betty did it for me!



4. I love this book. It is fresh and fun and has extremely well thought out plans. I am a novice seamstress so the techniques and tools section is very helpful.



5. Sew bags, purses, totes and more with over thirty projects suitable for all skills, from beginners to neo-pro sewers. The whole idea goes beyond purses to bags to tote and store household and travel items: SEW & STOW offers the basic techniques for cutting, sewing and finishing along with pink sidebars of information and plenty of illustration. Needlework libraries will find this a fun addition.

5 comments about Dream Sewing Spaces: Design & Organization for Spaces Large and Small.

1. I ordered this book to help get some ideas to set up my new sewing room. I found a lot of useful ideas inside this book to help me create my own space to work in. It also gives you ideas to use items that you currently own in your house.



2. A sewing instructor recommended this book, and she was right. It has everything you need to know to set up a sewing space complete with measurements and layouts and recommendations for low-end and high-end materials. This will be in my library waiting until I have the money to build a really good studio in future. In the meantime, when I am ready to make a purchase, I can refer to this to make sure I am buying the right thing for my size and space.



3. This is an excellent book which I highly recommend. It is full of color pictures, diagrams and various chapters on how to set up your dream sewing space. It is very easy to read and understand, and I am so glad I was able to get my hands on a copy!



4. This book is one to dream over. I like the example rooms listed with floor plans for sewing spaces. Even if you only have a closet, it shows you how to utilize the features of a closet space for sewing! I have a storage/guest room I want to turn into a sewing area, so this gives me and my hubby lots of ideas on how to do it in the future. I am sure I will use this book to look over and over again. Happy Sewing Room Planning!
   
   This book also includes serger/sewing machine configurations. I also have a knitting machine that I plan to put in mine--just adding that table to the room is easy enough for planning--I may just need a little more space. Also, you can use this book's ideas for a quilting area/center as well.



5. I'm in the planning stage for turning a small home office into a sewing room. This book contains both layout ideas and guidelines for determining appropriate heights for sewing, cutting, and pressing areas based on personal measurements. After looking for some time, I don't believe there's a better resource available to get you dreaming and designing!

5 comments about Serge With Confidence.

1. Excellent resource for beginners and the more experienced sergers as well. Colored photos and good explanations make this book a winner. There is detailed description of how a serger works as well as close views of different stitches and how they can be used. There are several project suggestions with instructions and photos. A glossary in the back will assist with any unknown terminology.



2. This book is highly recommended and Amazon had a better price than the author's website.



3. I am so glad I bought this book. As easy as it seems I am taking lessons with my serger and with the help of this book I will be well on my way with good instruction. This will be my serging bible. Thanks Stephie



4. This is a nice addition to the serger workbook by Baby Lock. Most of the projects I would not do because they are dated but the fundamental techniques are helpful to those new to serging.



5. Excellent written book . You should be able to serge anything after reading this book.

5 comments about Tudor Tailor: reconstructing sixteenth- century dress.

1. 
   I purchased this book for my wife, who enjoys sewing Renaissance English and Italian costumes. (Wife) I found this book very enjoyable to read, as far as the history of English costuming, patterns included, how to directions on sewing the pieces and trim, and detailed info. on why each piece was worm. I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in sewing English costumes, as well as those that would like to learn more about the history of English clothing and culture.



2. If you are looking for a great book about Tudor clothing it doesn't get any better than this book. The illustrations and the patterns are really wonderful. I love this book.



3. Wonderful. Book arrived on time in excellent condition. Is a wonderful asset to my classroom and library.



4. I didn't like the way this book was laid out, but there were some good tips for the Ren Faire costume maker.



5. As Director of New Products for a company that is one of the largest manufacturers of historical swords, armor & period costumes, it was nice to recieve this book and see the excellent attention to detail in so many areas. The book has done its homework in choices of fabrics and materials to be used and back this up with period illuminations, beautiful full-color photos of the recreated garments and easy-to-use patterns for all! Both mens & womens garments are covered, as well as designs for the normal town-goer to people of higher status. A real "must have" book for any seamtress wanting to create garments from this time period!

5 comments about The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model (Creative Machine Arts Series).

1. If you are new to serging or even experienced, you will find this book a valuable asset in your sewing library. I am new to serging and have found it to be a very helpful. Most owner/instruction manuals tell you how to thread and use your machine but don't get into a lot of detail about the actual how-to of serging or problem-solving. This book covers everything from needles to sewing with various types of threads to troubleshooting with lots of illustrations and photographs.
   
   There is a reason why people buy sergers and never use them. Unlike sewing machines, sergers are a little more complicated and can be down right intimidating, so good reference books are a MUST! This book, along with "The New Singer Sewing With A Serger", have been very helpful to me. Sergers are great machines and reference books such as this will give you the confidence and ability to get through problems and master your serger.



2. My wife was a first time user of a serger that I bought her for Christmas (I know - great Christmas gift - but it was what she wanted!) - anyways, she tells me that this book is very helpful for providing a lot of useful hints past the basic instructions you get with a new serger - she would recommend it for anyone who usually needs just a little more hints tht a basic instruction guide provides



3. I am looking to buy a serger, and this book is helping me decide what features I should look for. I find this book to be very informative and is layed out well for easy skimming. This book came to me highly recommended, and I now can highly recommend it.



4. I had borrowed this book from the local library and knew I had to have one on hand as a reference guide. It's primarily a trouble-shooting book, (you won't find creative techniques or project ideas) so if you know that up-front, you can't find a better book of its type. It covers everything from understanding and making adjustments to tensions to telling you where to look for typical causes of malfunctions. (I could have saved a trip to the repair shop a few months ago if I had this book and known my breaking needle was caused by improper threading -- who'd have guessed!?) It also has a wonderful section of photos showing the use of unexpected threads in the loopers to create decorative finishes and giving tips and difficulty ratings for those finishes. For me, this was a must-have reference book.



5. I recently bought a serger. I have have never used one before and donot have technical backup from the dealer (I bought online). Anyway this book is one of three I bought on serging and it is the best and indepensible to anyone who owns a serger. The photographs and information are clear and easy to use. This book and your manual are all you need to get the best out of your serger in my opinion.

2 comments about Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters (Domestic Arts for Crafty Girls).

1. Oh, how I wish I had that pile of old sweaters I donated to the thrift shop! If I only had them now, I'd soon have a kick-ass collection of sox, leg-warmers, even cooler new sweaters, hats, bags, baby booties, necklaces, purses, skirts, head-bands, pet bed, laptop cozy and mnore, more, more!
   
   File this book under "Why didn't I think of this stuff first?" -- but go buy it now and make up for lost time! Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things With Old Sweaters is a gold mine of crafty ideas!



2. I just had to get this book at the store when I saw it, I usually like to peep inside a book before I buy it. I haven't started on any of the projects,but I already have original ideas that I can use for the all the sweaters I bought from thrift stores. I personall feel bad about using them, but not too bad. :D
   
   Alot of inspiration can be found in this book.

5 comments about Pretty Little Pincushions (Pretty Little Series).

1. My book came quickly and in very good condition so I am very happy with it. I have made a few pincushions from the book so it is worth having!



2. Love, love, love, this book! I only wish this book's quality represented that of the majority of "how to" books. Every single project is beyond my willpower to withstand - The only downside is that I can not decide on which darling bundle to begin. I may simply have to work on several at once.



3. This is a great book!! There is a big variety of styles in pincushions. You are sure to find many that you will want to make. I'm glad I have the book.



4. I have to divide this book up into thirds - it's one-third 'that's silly', one-third 'seen that', and one-third 'that's interesting!'
   
   Starting with the most negative, the silly ones are the ones like the pillows. Seriously, two rectangles of fabric sewn together and stuffed. Not exactly rocket science, don't need a book for that.
   
   Then there's the 'seen that' category, with the bottle cap pincushions and the ones made with teacups and the like. Instructions for those are all over the place (though I admit the eyeball/bottlecap one was pretty good), and it's nothing terribly amazing.
   
   Finally, about a third of the book was pretty interesting. The sweater pincushion, in particular, is really nifty. This is the part of the book that makes it worthwhile, sadly, there's not enough of these to really make it worth it for me.
   
   I think this would be a good book for someone who needs a creativity kick, or needs to churn out a bunch of little gifts with supplies they have on-hand. The instructions may require a few read-throughs (a few of them were a little hard to understand the first time through) but overall they're understandable and once you get them pretty easy.



5. I was very disappointed in this book. I should have sent it back. Some of the designs are dumb. I only found 2 pincushions I would even consider making and one was on the front cover. What is really sad is that some of the patterns in this book can be found online for free!! If you are looking for really unique pincushions, this is not the book for you.

5 comments about A Guide to Fashion Sewing.

1. Great book. It is a must for any sewer of garments. Great tips and good directions.



2. I am very happy with the speed of delivery, price and condition of the book.Thanks!!!



3. While many of the techniques are covered in some of the other sewing textbooks you might have read one techique in particular stands out to me as I have never seen this elsewhere is how to sew a all in one facing professionally. Normally the intructions tell you to leave the shoulder seams open and then "hand sew" them. Not this one it shows you how to do the factory way. If you don't own any other sewing books then this is the one to get



4. This book is GREAT! I use it for my sewing class in college, and it comes in very handy! It's a good reference to fall on even for the expert of sewers! It's a must have for sewers of all levels!



5. It took two, people, to figure out what one illustrations, and we still got it wrong, need better explannation on the visuals.

5 comments about Aranzi Cute Stuff.

1. I can't praise this book highly enough. The basic projects are simple to make, but also highly functional. The emphasis on "making things the way you like" gives this book a welcoming feel.
   
   There are few projects in this book that you can't add a felt appliqué to, making it easy to personalize your projects.
   
   In addition to the great projects and patterns in this book, the book itself is a joy to read-- if you're anything like me, the writing will have you in stitches (pun intended)!



2. My 13 yo has ripped through Aranzi's Cute Book this summer. After years of doing craft projects that were fun, but not fun enough that she wanted to repeat, she has found one she wants more and more of: making Aranzi's charming little characters. A happy bonus is she's caught up on thank you's, mailing off sophisticated little creatures (holding message signs she cuts out of felt)to every adult who ever did her a kindness, and making them for children she babysits too.
   
   Last week she asked me to order another book so she can do more, but this book offers nothing new - the characters are almost all recycled from the Cute Book. They are applied to accessories in this book, but these are uninspired and predictable. We're so disappointed, after the freshness of the Cute Book.
   
   I'm trying to keep in mind that these books are written for very beginner sewers who lack the confidence to make their own patterns, but everything Aranzi does really could be designed by anyone capable of sewing them up, and I'd encourage everyone to try. Look at the cover of this book, and just pick up a couple rectangles of fabric and go for it. I bet you will come up with successful projects that are every bit as fun and cute as these.



3. This book is ideal for a beginner! The patterns are easy to use and the directions are very simple to follow!
   
   I love this book!



4. i love this book. the projects are simple, and the instructions are very detailed. i haven't had any problems making anything in this book so far. and the results are TOO CUTE! it's a great book for a crafter of any level. :)



5. I love every Aranzi Aronzo book I have, but this one is just great for my daughter and I both. Lots of Japanese style mascots and crafts, and many of them are made with felt and can be done by hand. Tissue covers, easy running stitch embroidery (that's just impossibly cute), water bottle holders, and lots of bags. There are some simply adorable keyring patterns I can't wait to try. It's fun and inspiring. I think I'm going to have my daughter decide on a project, then draw her own character up we can make a pattern for.
   The instructions are well written and very cute, and there is a conversational feel to the project descriptions that made me laugh out loud at times. I'm glad I got it.