No comments about The Weekend Sewer's Guide to Pants & Skirts: Time-Saving Sewing with a Creative Touch.

4 comments about Celtic Cross Stitch Samplers.

1. While I loved the designs in this book, the colors chosen for each idea leave a little to be desired. The charts are very easy to work from, but get ready to come up with your own color ideas when working with this book.



2. This book provides numerous projects, ranging from small to large. The variety and adaptability of the patterns offer many choices. The patterns are easy to follow, making it nice for a novice or experienced craftsman. Great book -- keeps you going back for more!!



3. My girlfriend just gave me a great coaster using a design from this book. Although I haven't seen all of the designs in the book, I'm already pleased just from the cross stitching design used for this gift.



4. I really have enjoyed this book. This book is not for those who are looking for a historical perspective. The designs are Celtic in spirit and have a great variety of designs. This book is easy to follow with the charts being in color, which is always preferable to symbols. This book has a range in difficulty of projects that are sure to please most.

5 comments about Renovating Old Houses (Best of Fine Homebuilding).

1. I believe this is the greatest book to read first in any attempt to restore and older home. Most homes relate to the late 1800's, but is revealing even for homes built in the early 1900's. Much detail from foundation to roof on restoring any part of an old cherised home for the do - it -yourselfer.



2. If I had to recommend just one book on renovating old houses it would be this one. Like most similar Taunton Press books, the book is accurate, well written, and informative about techniques that a real person might want to use. It includes lots of information about how old houses are constructed, the kinds of things that tend to go wrong with them over time, and techniques for fixing them. It is realistic about budgets and time constraints. And, perhaps most important, it gives fair warning about the stresses and strains of living in a house one is fixing up.

   One might want to supplement this book with more specific books about the kind of house you are working on, and books which provide more information about how to match materials and aesthetics to the existing fabric of the particular sort of house you have, but this book is not to be missed.




3. in Kansas City. He read one chapter and pronounced it a collossal time saver, a validation of techniques he has heard from "old timers" in the craft, valued the colloquial and earthy writing style.
   He especially appreciated the details on plasterwork, tile, window frames, rim joists and other esoterica.
   I have given him many many books, and this won the Best Book Gift Ever award. That is saying quite a lot.



4. Fantastic, comprehensive book on old house restoration as well as maintenance. This one book contains more useful real-world information than a whole shelf's worth of those Home Depot, Black & Decker, etc. DIY books. And it's all delivered with intelligence, character and an occaisional dose of humor. This is a must have for anyone restoring or renovating and old house, living in and maintaining an old house and would be especially helpful to anyone who is about to 'go shopping' for an old house!



5. I am working on an old house restoration and from my reading this book has useful and sage advice. It is not a beginners guide and does not waste time explaining tools and materials other than to point you to more complete sources of information. A very useful book for the intermediate woodworker or builder taking on an old house project.

2 comments about Art to Wear with Asian Flair.

1. I would really suggest this book to all those who love to quilt or embellish with an Asian theme. It is easy to understand and follow instructions.



2. I love this book because it doesn't spell out every step, but allows you to apply your own creativity. But, this same feature might make it a little difficult for beginners.
   I still highly recommend the book because so many of the techniques can be applied to totally different projects.

1 comments about Step-by-Step Embroidery Stitches: Hand and machine embroidery techniques made simple, with 300 colour photographs and diagrams (Step-By-Step).

1. This is no different than other books on embroidery I have seen. Actually, it convinced me that I should (once I learn how to do it myself...)make a video, as it would be so much easier to learn from than trying to follow diagrams such as those found in this book.

No comments about Seminole Patchwork (Lothian Australian Craft Series).

2 comments about Katrin Cargill's Curtain Bible: Simple and Stylish Designs for Contemporary Curtains and Blinds.

1. After being inspired by the author's Simple Curtains book, I decided to purchase this book. Unfortunately, there were no reviews, so I took a chance and purchased it anyway. While this book has great pictures, classifies different styles such as classic, country and contemporary and has easy to follow directions, I was disappointed that many of the styles and techniques had already been featured in Simple Curtains (scalloped curtains, gingham curtains, lots of tension wire and eyelets). I also think that the workbook style of Simple Curtains is more functional than the more "coffee table style" of Curtain Bible. If you already have Simple Curtains, don't bother buying this book.



2. It's not always easy to find appropriate window treatments for contemporary interiors. This book offers lots of solutions in photos, with illustrated projects using simple basic sewing techniques.

   If you're looking for fancy drapes for traditional homes, this probably isn't the book for you. But if you're young and want something with clean lines and easy sewing, you may find it just right.

3 comments about Elegant Linens: 26 Projects for Creating Your Own Luxurious Linens.

1. Chippy Irvine's books are a marvel of elegance and style. She has a positive genius for encouraging one's creativity and belief in one's ability to make lovely objects out of bits of fabrics and lace that one either might own, or come across at sales. Her descriptions and backgrounds of the fabrics and objects are interesting and precise and the directions for duplicating some of the items are down-to-earth and accessible to the least "handy" of stitchers. The photographs of the linens and the backgrounds are beautiful. An interesting and USEFUL book for anyone who likes to create an environment with a real sense of style!



2. After reading about this book in a home magazine, I looked forward to purchasing it (ordered it from Amazon.com, of course). Unfortunately, the "elegant" linens in Mrs. Irvine's book ranged from a tea cozy to a pin cushion to outdoor seat covers. Although the photographs were lovely--I especially admired the collection of antique Christening gowns--and her prose was light and cheerful, I did not learn anything about making linens that I would consider elegant or even potential heirlooms.



3. Chippy Irvine is an elegant lady with a fine taste in fashion for the home. An interior designer and editor for Design Times magazine, this author offers a beautiful collection of linens for every use in the home. She shows the reader how to care for, store, and mend every type of luxurious linen. This book is also a wonderful resource for 26 projects to make for the home. Ms. Irvin offers her assistance for making napkins, tablecloths, dainty pincushions, placemats, napkin rings, table runners, cocktail napkins, tassels, aprons, shoe holders, sink curtains, bathrobes, cushions, a gardening apron, and more. This is a wonderful resource for the care and construction of linens.

1 comments about Fast & fabulous: low-sew bedroom projects (Fast and Fabulous Series).

1. Like most of the Reader's Digest books, this one has very good information, great photographs of the projects and clear instructions on how to make the project.
   
   One of my favorite projects is the Embossed Velvet Pillow (pg 50). I couldn't believe how easy it looked. I plan on trying it with a different design in the next week or so. Some of the projects have more a a country/cozy feel, but I believe that most can be adapted to fit many decorating styles, i.e. Applique Blanket Turnover. They show a leaf pattern with a blanket stitched edge, but you could put your own design on it and omit the blanket stitching or use another stitch. There are duvet covers and a faux four-poster bed that is really quick and simple.
   
   I recommend this book if you are looking for ideas on simple, quick projects.

1 comments about How to Start Making Money With Your Sewing.

1. If you someday hope to have your own specialty or alterations-type commercial shop with industrial or commercial grade equipment, this book would be helpful to you; however, if you just want to bring in some extra money at home on your own home sewing machine, this is not really a book I would recommend. Information is somewhat vague and left my original questions unanswered.