3 comments about Jazz It Up: 101 Stitching & Embellishing Techniques.

1. This is the book we have been waiting for from Judy. She mentioned it was in the works two years ago and I have been eagerly looking forward to it. As with all of Judy's books, the directions are clear and there are marvelous graphics for all of the techniques she presents. You are given lots of ideas with photos of finished goods. This book will give you the confidence to make that one of a kind vest or jacket. The hardest part is deciding what techniques to start with on your creation!

   If you are thinking of just trimming the edge of a jacket or making a whole wardrobe this is the how-to idea book for you.




2. Judy has written many "Jazz" books that you can now find on the Internet auctions going for big bucks because they are out of print. I happen to have all her books, thanks to a good friend, and feel this one sums up all her shared knowledge of wearable art stitching and embellishing. The first wearable project I made was adapted from one of Judy's' first books. I consider her work as laying the foundation for all wearable artists out in the world today. These 101 techniques can be used on a simple cuff or on your whole project.



3. Judy Murrah is a very talented lady. Her book received great reviews which is why I purchased it. However, her personal style is not what I look for in design and embellishing. Her work is very contemporary, and I tend to be much more of a traditionist in design and embellishment. I prefer needlework designs that date as far back as Medieval times. I like order, and I love needle-art to be so beautifully done that one may even frame it as a piece of art.

   J. Marsha Michler wrote "The Magic of Crazy Quilting: A Complete Resource for Embellished Quilting." Her approach to design and embellishment is much closer to what I prefer in my own work, and her designs can be nicely applied to clothing and other projects as well--not crazy quilting alone. She very clearly illustrates stitching and embellishing techniques, including high quality photo close-ups, making it very easy even for the novice.

   Another wonderful book that I have found both exciting and artistic is "The Art of Manipulating Fabric" by Colette Wolff. Using your own artistic imagination, both these books can offer any design or look you desire, and both have a much more "serious" presentation of design.

   If you like a contemporary look to design, then Judy Murrah's "Jazz it Up..." is for you. She gives clear illustrations and close-up high quality photos for examples to follow. Her ideas and designs can be done by even the novice.

   Happy sewing!

No comments about Fun and Fancy Cross-Stitch.

No comments about Classic Cloth Dolls: Beautiful Fabric Dolls and Clothes from the Vogue Patterns Collection.

2 comments about Tassels.

1. Susan comes up with another winner - both beginning tassel makers and experienced designers will appreciate this book. This book is a sophisticated sequel to her earlier The Art of Tassel Making. Basics of tassel anatomy and construction techniques will ease beginners into this wonderful textile art. Among the most useful tips for experienced tassel makers are instructions on how to replicate vintage jasmine petal components, decorative strips and flower centers by embroidering over a sheet aluminum base. Also detailed are ribbon flowers, chevron wrapped and peyote stitched tassel heads, and beaded overskirts. The impeccably constructed tassels are simply but beautifully photographed, and Jane's illustrations are easy to follow. Seven tassels pictured are fairly basic in style and construction, with the remaining nine showing various styles of additional embellishment. This book is another "must have" for anyone smitten with the creative art of tassel making! On the negative side, be forewarned that the much-awaited Suppliers List does not contain any US suppliers; this was a major disappointment. Other than that omission, Susan's new book was another delightful read from beginning to end.



2. Tassels provides step-by-step instructions for creating sixteen decorative tassels, covering everything from choosing threads to finishing touches. Any involved in crafts or arts projects will find this very specific guide useful and important for adding a tassel touch to a design or piece: the black and white step-by-step illustrations are very clear and the color photos excellent.

No comments about Fast-Folded Flowers: Timesaving Techniques for a Quilted Bouquet.

3 comments about Terrific Totes & Carryalls: 40 Bags to Sew for Shopping, Working, Hiking, Biking, and More.

1. I found this book to have several great ideas. I never thought I could make some of these things myself, for example a padded tote for a portable computer, a full set of soft luggage or a functional backpack. All of the designs also come with decoration suggestions. It even has instructions on how to achieve some types of decorative sewing and applique.



2. Though I've been sewing for more than thirty years, I had great trouble with the frustrating and confusing sewing directions in this book. It's a beautiful book, full of ideas, but anyone without considerable sewing experience would be stumped. The author places too much emphasis on designer ideas and too little on practical instructions. I wasn't looking for "wearable art," but for bags which were useful, durable, and good looking. Far better for those purposes is Nancy Restuccia's book "Hold It! How to Sew Bags, Totes, Duffels, Pouches & More." Ms. Restuccia gives careful, easy-to-follow directions, clear drawings supplemented by photos, and resources for finding materials and hardware to complete the projects in the book. Without Ms. Restuccia's book as a supplement, I couldn't have made any sense out of this book. It's a pretty book, but not for the real world.



3. All the bags you will ever need. I love the double-sided bag with two pockets, and the gorgeous City Pack. Just wish I could find the hardware to make it with--anybody?

No comments about Sewn Product Quality: A Management Perspective.

2 comments about Better Homes and Gardens Cross Stitcher's Big Book of Alphabets & Borders: Cross Stitcher's Big Book of Alphabets & Borders.

1. This book has some beautiful alphabet charts and great ideas for using them. I use it as a reference when adapting poems into cross-stitch. Please tell Better Homes and Gardens to bring this book BACK to printing.



2. I have this in hardback plus dust jacket in perfect condition and despite what it is worth I could not bring myself to part with it. It has beautiful alphabets and borders for every occasion and is laid out in sections for various life events such a birth marriage etc.The charts are large and easy to use with wonderful ideas of how to display your stitching to the best effect. Truly a book to drool over with an american slant.

No comments about Hats Made Easy (Milner Craft Series).

5 comments about Sewing Tiny Toys.

1. I LOVE THIS BOOK! It has patterns to make just about every little critter there is. Kitties, giraffes, ponies, scotty dogs, duchunds, monkeys lambs, kangaroos, skunks, moose, bats, armadillos, ducks,otters, tigers, bunnies, owls, penguins,sea creatures, people. The list goes on and on. Sizes from 3" up to 8" beanies. What child wouldn't delight in holding one of these little "loveys" in their hands or as a little "pocket pal" to take to school? The instructions are fairly clear.There are a few points I wasn't quite sure on (ear insertion),folding the head dart, but, figured it out. The materials used are quite inexpensive. Felt bodies(some are in mini fur fabric) and seed beads for the eyes. I prefer mini fur fabrics over the felt, but the felt is inexpensive. Also,for the 3- 4" mini's ,I prefer to use the 2 to 2 1/2mm black onyx beads from bead/jewelry suppliers or imitation black plastic round beads you can find in craft stores for the eyes. They are round and give more of an "innocent eye" look to the animals face rather then the uneven shaped seed beads the author uses, which I feel tend to make some of the animals eyes look a tad sneaky. Place the bead where the eye should be and pull the thread tight into the head so the bead is sitting in a little dent. This sinks the eye in a bit so that they look less "beady" and "popeyed" that way. All in all, it's a wonderful book with wonderful illustrations and patterns and I'm sure having one of these little creatures, or several, would delight any child. Adults too.



2. This is a really great book for anybody. You don't have to be experienced to understand how to do it because it explains everything from stitching to what kind of fabric to use. There are tiny animals to sew from all around the world. There is an elephant, a giraffe, a polar bear, a cat, a dog, a lion, a tiger, people, an otter, a parrot, and even a mushroom! There are 52 full size patterns. This book even gives tips on designing your own little creatures. The directions are very clear and easy to understand. The book also gives ideas of how to use them like making them into Christmas tree ornaments or using them as party favors. It even shows how to make joints out of buttons and how to paint the creature so it looks more realistic. This is a great book that is easy to understand and pretty simple. I know I've had fun with it and I hope you do to.



3. This book is sooooo easy to use. It is also great to carry around with you. I am twelve and was worried that I wouldn't be able to make these little animals, but it turns out that they are much easier then they look. This book is a must have!



4. This is a very cute book and it has been a lot of fun making all the tiny toys it has to offer. The great thing about it is there are many toys to make, all of them are fairly easy and cute, and none of them take too much time to finish. All you need to make anything in this book is a little bit of spare fabric and a small amount of sewing knowledge. Most of the projects I have made from this book took me less then two hours total to finish, most of time even less than that. All in all, this book has been great fun!
   
   My only complaint with it would be the weird way the author was trying to copy Beanie Babies. While none of her designs look anything like the famous Beanie Babies, all of animals have names like Beanie Babies (example: one of hers is called "Cassie, the Cow", which is the same naming method Beanie Babies use...the animal's name, comma, type of animal) and all of her animals have little rhyming poems (just like all Beanie Babies have on their tags) accompanying them on their introduction section. I'm sure the author was trying to be cute, but I found it annoying and unoriginal. If you can ignore this part, as I did, this is a fun book despite that.



5. I checked out this book from the library to make a stuffed penguin, and enjoyed the book so much that I told my family to get it for me as a birthday gift! I am not a seamstress, but I did find the penguin pattern easy to use, and I look forward to making some of the other items in the book!