5 comments about Knitting with Wire (Knitting Technique series).

1. I have just recently purchased this book, and am greatly enjoying both reading through the many projects as well as beginning to experiment with several of the hand knitting projects. The author employs a conversational tone throughout the book, which both makes for a more enjoyable read and makes the beginning of new projects less daunting. I would recommend this book to those who would like to explore some new projects and methods of exploring their crafty natures...



2. I knit a lot and was interested in a book to bring my skills to wire. I bought this book thinking, reasonably, that this book would help.

   You should know that the lovely pieces in this book were almost all machine knit. There are only a few pieces that were knit by hand....and none of the great pieces.

   Absolutely skip this book unless you have a knitting machine and are interested in this technique for that purpose. Had the book been called "Machine Knitting with Wire" I'd have had no complaint. I'd have not bought the book.




3. A small book, about 6x7 inches and 90 pages. An interesting book with unique projects - jewelry, boxes, and the knitted scarf on cover and flowers (both require knitting machine).
   
   The findings section demonstrates several types of closings. This is important as colored wire cannot be soldered as when making silver jewelry, therefore "cold" connections must be used. Nowhere does she show how to add those findings to the jewelry.
   
   Hand knitting section has 9 projects, much of the jewelry w/ beads,
   
   Viking knitting (this turns out like the spool knitting we did as kids)is the weaving of the wire around an allen wrench. As allen wrenchs are inexpensive (a set can be had for under $2) this is accessible to those who wish to try the technique. Here there are 9 projects.
   
   Machine knitting - this requires a knitting machine and is therefore not easily accessable to all. I would guess there is not much written on the subject. For those who would like to try using wire with a machine, it would be a godsend. 5 projects are made w/ the same knitted flower and there are 4 other projects.
   
   While interesting, if I were to do it over, I would only buy her crochet book.



4. I agree with the two previous reviewers. This book is not about using knitting needles, much of it involves machine knitting. The title could have been more descriptive of the contents.
   
   For the Viking knitting, there are several better books.
   
   On the other hand, if you aspire to making aluminum jewelry for your pre-teen this may be a good book for you, especially if you have one of those little knitting machines.
   
   I'd suggest visiting the library to look at the book before buying it, however.



5. This book is wonderful. Frugal as I am, I must have checked it out of the library five or six times.
   
   The instructions for viking knitting are wonderful. And I've read many online instructions that were hopelessly confusing. But I was able to complete very nice projects with the aid of this little jewel of a book.
   
   The projects are wonderful, and they provide a good sample of ideas which get your creative thoughts going.
   
   I wished that I owned a knitting machine.
   
   This book should be highly recommended!

1 comments about Embroidery from Afghanistan (Fabric Folios).

1. Beautiful photos, excellent close-ups of some of the stitches. A good introduction to the garment and textile styles of Afghanistan. However, there is one error. In discussing the Tekke Turkmen woman's cloak (chyrpy), Ms. Paine states that a chyrpy of dark green fabric is intended for a young girl.
   
   The chyrpy is a married woman's garment, the color of which indicates the woman's age. A chyrpy of dark green, dark blue, or black cloth, is worn by young married women. A chyrpy of yellow cloth is worn by middleaged women, and one of white cloth is worn by women past menopause. See The Arts and Crafts of Turkestan by Johannes Kalter.

3 comments about Encyclopedia of Designs for Quilting.

1. I have been a quiltmaker for 6 years now, but have yet to become a good quilter until I read this book. In just one evening, I was able to draft a border pattern using the box from Stovetop Stuffing and draw it on my current quilt project, a double 9-patch. I actually teach quilting but never got very intricate with my quilting stitches. I can now do feathers and cables with ease. I will refer to this book forever and will never need another for designing quilting patterns and getting ideas for future quilts. This book is entirely focused on the quilting stitches where most quilting books give you that info. as an afterthought. Thanks Phyllis D. Miller! I will now have some real heirlooms for my children.



2. New quilters to seasoned hand quilters will benefit from this book. The how-to part of the book is thorough and plentiful. Keep in mind that it was published in 1996, and the tools and methods described are traditional, similar to those used by our ancestors in quilting.
   This encyclopedia of quilting designs completes what B. Brackman started with her encyclopedias on pieced and appliqué patterns. I will definitely bring this book with me to future documentation activities. This book will help train my eye to see the various patterns on a quilt and identify them in my memory so that I will see all the patterns on a quilt. A more in-depth look will be my gain.



3. This is an excellent "how-to" on just about everything pertaining to quilting designs. Instructions are illustrated and written not just on how to draft the design/s - but how to mark your quilt with the design - suggestions on where they might fit appropriately on your particular quilt top. She gives you a listing of the tools you will need to do each particular design, helpful hints, and much more. The variety of designs ranges from the common to the more unusual. The manual also includes a numerical listing of the quilt designs using a numbering system similar to the one used by Barbara BBrackman in her "Encyclopedia of Applique." If you only plan on purchasing one book of quilting designs you can't go wrong with this one!

3 comments about Sewing With Leather and Suede: A Home Sewer's Guide (Home Sewers Guide).

1. I love books that inspire me and make me want to create! Lark Books and Sandy Scrivano did just that! Beautiful photography, detailed and practical information, an informational glossary and a generous resource list (it's one thing to create, it's another to find the stuff!). You definitely won't think 60's when reading this book... this is LEATHER WITH ATTITUDE!



2. In writing this book, the author took advantage of the fact that there aren't many leather sewing how-to books available.

   But despite the lack of good books on this subject, this book is just ok, not great. It's not a must-have book. I am a pretty big fan of Lark Books' craft books (the publisher of this book) but this Leather book is pretty slim. Some of the author's garment examples are bizarre and one-of-a-kind, which I didn't find inspiring.

   If you already have any experience at all sewing leather, you don't need this book. However, if you have never sewn leather and want a few basic pointers, basic pointers are within the scope of this book.




3. I ordered this book after my DBIL brought me back some lambskins from Ecuador. Having never worked with leather I had no clue where to start. Sandy's last article in Threads was so inspiring but I was disappointed in the book. The book will be helpful to me as far as the basics go, but samples shown in Threads magazine and online were much better - at least for my taste.

2 comments about Lap Quilting Lives!.

1. Georgia Bonesteel's book, Lap Quilting Lives!, has several innovative ideas for lap quilted designs. Her instructions are clear and well-written. (While I have chosen a quilt from this book to make, I haven't started the project yet.)

   The design choices are varied, from traditional patterns to modern-looking designs.

   I would have enjoyed seeing sketches of alternative colorways for several of these quilts.

   I'd recommend this book as thought-provoking and inspirational. Encourages "out of the box" thinking for quilters.




2. This book has some excellent patterns. Patterns that are a little different, but still viable for a quilter of moderate ability. What I like best about the book is the section on lap quilting. Ms Bonesteel's method of putting the quilt together in strips and then quilting it section by section works out very well for machine quilting, because you are dealing with manageable segments, rather than trying to wrestle with a large quilt at the machine. They can be very unwieldy. While you have more hand work, the results are very neat and professional looking.

2 comments about Contemporary Wicker Basketry: Projects, Techniques, Inspirational Designs.

1. I thought that Flo wrote the "bible" on round reed baskets with her first book and she has out-done herself with this 2nd one. If you are experienced at making baskets with round reed and you want a challenge, get this book. If you need a good reference to start with simpler baskets, get her first one. This book has some stunning baskets. She gives excellent illustrations and directions anyone can follow. As a teacher of basketry I would not be without it for reference and a source for many beautiful baskets for my students to make.



2. This Basket book has baskets to make for all skill levels.
   Some are more intrakit. some are very plain, but very pretty
   for every day use. This book has very good picture for instruction of the various weaves. I take a class in basket making and one of the other students had the book and I knew I
   needed this book to make baskets. It also has colored pictures which I like.

4 comments about Applique in a Day (Quilt Block Party), Series 6, with 12 pattern inserts.

1. Eleanor Burns is my favorite author/teacher for quilting. I love each of her books that I own, but especially this one. Most of her sewing techniques are simple, but they are real time savers that I would never have thought of myself. Being a mother of seven, I'm always interested in saving time. "Applique in a Day" is different from many of her earlier books, so I was excited to buy it.

   I have made three blocks from "Applique in a Day". The first one I chose to make was the grape vine wreath. I love purple, but the main reason I chose this block was the dimension. The grapes are made of yo-yo's, so they stick out from the background block. I also had fun with the twisty embroidered vines. I used to have a grape vine in my backyard and this block really reminds me of the fun we had picking, eating, and making jam from the grapes.

   The next block I chose to make was the flower basket. Again, the dimension of the basket and flowers both give such interest to the block. The basket is shaped by making pleats and the small flowers are made from yo-yo's. The large flowers are rouched. This was my first attempt at this technique, so I wasn't sure if I would like it. Eleanor's instructions in the book make it very simple to do; she provides great directions, and helpful pictures. I was so pleased and the flowers look great!

   The third block I chose to make was the Distlefink. I love this block for its European look. The tulips are very unusual, and the bird is beautiful. I especially like Eleanor's suggestion to use a pearl for the bird's eye. There is little embroidery, but it gives the picture just the right finish. In the book there are instructions for sewing the embroidery on the sewing machine.

   The remaining blocks in this book are as striking as the three I have completed. Some of my other favorite blocks are the fruit basket and the holly wreath. I am eager to finish the entire quilt.




2. This was one of the first machine applique books I ever bought. We get Eleanor Burns TV show "Quilt in a Day" on Saturday mornings on a local PBS station. After watching some of the episodes relating to the "Applique in a Day" book I decided I just had to try it. If you are a hand appliquer and have never tried machine applique, buy this book. If you have never done any applique and the thought scares you to death, you really need to buy this book. Eleanor makes it so fast and simple that you will be wondering why you hesitated.

   This book gives you lots of fun and easy to do techniques in the "lessons". It goes into detail about making simple dimensional flowers and machine embroidered stems with pearl cotton. (Tip: Besides embroidery floss and pearl cotton you can try thin ribbon for that stem technique. All of her instructions are step by step as if she were sitting right next to you.

   She also shows you lots of ideas for making the finished appliqued quilt blocks into things other than quilts. Some of the things you can use the blocks for are: single and multiple block wall hangings, wedding gifts, tote bags, table runners, and pillow covers. The single block projects are great for those of us who like to finish a project quickly and go on to the next.

   Even if you have never done any type of quilting or applique in your life this book will have you making and more importantly FINISHING projects in no time at all. Her directions are clear, with lots of charts, diagrams and pictures. Although the larger, multi-block projects will take longer than "a day" you will still be pleased to see how fast the blocks can be finished.

   The highest rating that Amazon.com lists is a five but if I could, I'd have given this book a ten.




3. This book along with all her other books is easy to read and follow, the instructions are clear and the finished quilt is lovely. The large patterns are very easy to use and it was a delight to make.



4. I would have wanted to know what condition the book/patterns were in. Also were there any missing. How long would the shipment be expedited? What condition would the merchandise be in on arrival? If not satisfied could I return the merchandise? Would my credit card be adjusted for the month all of this took place?

1 comments about Row upon Row: Sea Grass Baskets of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

1. Tells the story of how a culture survived and adapted to new surroundings. The story of its basketry is the central vehicle. Of interest to those who like basketweaving and those who like stories of different peoples cultures.

2 comments about Fundamentals of Men's Fashion Design: A Guide to Casual Clothes.

1. I flipped through a couple different editions of this book recently and I must get one for myself. I have books that focus on men's suits and tailoring, but this one addresses sportswear and casual wear, as well as some ethnic styles, like African and Middle Eastern. It focuses more on the design angle than construction, which is desparately needed since commercial pattern companies only carry about 5 different patterns in the men's wear category. At the moment there are more men's costume patterns, but when was the last time you saw Henry the VIII or the Music Man walking down the street?



2. As a novice sewer I bought this book desparate to get any info about men's casual clothes. There is just not enough info available for this. I assumed that my engineering education could help me work through most any book, but I was wrong.
   Unfortunately for me, this book seems to be targeted at those folks with a more advanced understanding of garment construction than I have. If you have experience constructing, altering, or at least understand basic design methods then this book will earn the high price. If your a novice, don't buy this unless you have knowlegable teacher or mentor to help you take full advantage of the technical design methods it demonstrates.
   
   Hope this helps you!

5 comments about The Ultimate Marbling Handbook: A Guide to Basic and Advanced Techniques for Marbling Paper and Fabric (Watson-Guptill Crafts).

1. I have done Suminagashi marbling for years and have been tempted to move into other types of marbling but have been unable to find good detailed information on material and techniques.

   Diane Maurer-Mathison is an old hand at marbling and she shares all her wisdom here. She starts with the easiest marbling techniques and moves into patterns that would challenge a master.

   Not only does she tell you where to buy the tools you need she includes detailed instructions on how to make your own tools and grind your own pigments.

   She even tells you how to marble fabric, your sneakers, wood, and anything else that will stand still.

   And the colored illustrations are breathtaking! I opened the book in front of a friend and her daughters. We oohhed and aahhed over it for a good twenty minutes. It is truely inspiring.

   Someone put a lot of time and effort into making this a clear and easy to use guide. I reccomend it highly.




2. Marbling of fabric and paper has intrigued artesans for centuries. The Ultimate Marbling Handbook explores the art of marbling, materials used, techniques and beautiful images of marbled color captured on paper, fabric and other materials. The colors are vivid, designs are unique and imanigative. Marble patterns fascinate, from the random stone or rock, to the colors combed into repeating patterns, no two the same.

   Advanced designs of many artists are shared and techniques are explained. Diane Maurer-Mathison is a gifted artist and has authored a beautiful book suitable for the beginning to experienced marble artist.




3. This book has very detailed how-to information and a smorgasbord of effects. It is a beginners and an advanced book all in one. A Good buy!



4. I was really interested i learning to do paper marbeling - had looked all around for kits to no avail so I went looking for books and came across this one. There are a number of different techniques in here: Sumonagashi, oil color, watercolor, marbeling fabric and other materials and then the last chapter is "a gallery of contemporary marbeling." For each of the technique chapters it tells you the materials you need with pictures of them in case the words/descriptions aer not enough and then that's followed by a section on "basic techniques" that are specific to that technique. The writing is clear and straight forward and there are lots of good pictures to help. Following the basic instructions there are advanced instructions. Again, with good pictures and ideas. The end of the book has fabric as well as the gallery -I'm still a beginner so I haven't played around with fabric and the things in the gallery are pretty advanced but they sure are inspirational. For now I'll have fun with paper. Great book though - it has something for the beginner as well as the more advanced artist!



5. An amazing book. I was familiar with the standard marbled papers you see in old (and new) books, but this book shows dozens of styles that I not only had never seen, but would not have even thought possible. Stunning works that are not at all typical "marbling." Gabriele Grunebaum's oil marbleing is really astonishing. The techniques are clearly demonstrated with photographs and diagrams. Buy this book!