5 comments about Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

1. This is simply the best embroidery stitch book I have ever read. An excellent buy. The pictures, instructions and phots all correlate with colour to make learning a new stitch a breeze. I have found the instructions straight forward and clear. Recommend this book to anybody working in textiles.



2. I hadn't touched embroidery for about 40 years and this book is so detailed with TONS of photos that I had no trouble learning lots of new stitches. I took it to work and shared it with two very experienced embroiders and both were very impressed with the variety of stitches presented and the detailed images.



3. What everyone says here is TRUE! Mary Thomas wrote the first classic encyclopedia of stitches and it has been lovingly updated. It is the PERFECT embroidery overview ever created for both total beginners and advanced. Clearly written with illustrated instructions, expect to be inspired and prepare to succeed!!
   
   I was trying to find a good basic embroidery book and had no luck. Though found all kinds of needlepoint, or machine embroidery books or expensive software but it was really hard to find a good hand-embroidery book. I couldn't believe my good fortune when I found this. It is a total treasure! If the publishers could come up with a spiral bound version, that would be even better.
   
   Have fun!!



4. I bought this book when I decided it was time to get back to some of my needlework projects after many, many years. The book is very helpful, showing detailed, clear drawings of stitches. There are also color photos of completed work so you can see what the stitches look like in color, etc. Highly recommend this book.



5. This revised edition is a great resource for both beginners and more advanced users. The illustrations and instructions are very clear and easy to follow and the allover design is very good.

5 comments about A Fine Fleece: Knitting with Handspun Yarns.

1. Beautiful patterns, juxtapositioning of commercial and handspun yarns is a unique format. It's very useful to the knitter, or the knitter/spinner in taking the next step to designing yarns to knit more complex patterns.



2. I love, love, love this book. I'm presently working on two sweaters and planning on knitting 85-90% of the rest. It would be 100% but I don't do hats and scarves. This is the best knitting pattern book I've bought in all of my 66 years. Love it! Can't wait for your next book.



3. I'm a huge Lisa Lloyd fan and have been for a long time, so this book is never going to make it to the shelf, it's going to stay in the pile next to my knitting chair. I want to make every pattern in this book. The patterns are classic, this book will be just as valuable in your knitting library in 30 years as it is today. Everyone always wants The Perfect Sweater, the one to wear on your autumn walk to go kick leaves, and there are a dozen of them in this collection. There are patterns for a variety of yarn grists, and patterns typically go up to about 52".
   
   The beginning section on spinning and wool characteristics is a good intro to new spinners, or wannabe spinners. It was good information to get new spinners thinking about spinning for a big project. I've been spinning for years and it didn't have any new information for me, but reading it got me whipped up to start spinning with one of these projects in mind.
   
   However. The photographs, while beautiful and artsy and fun to look at, leave a lot to the imagination - not a great thing in a knitting pattern book. They're teaser photos - look good in the picture, but if you come to a question in your knitting you won't be able to figure out what you're doing by looking at the picture. I don't think there are more than a couple of patterns with good photos you can really tell what the pattern looks like. I'd expect this would be a struggle for a person who hasn't had a lot of experience knitting cables. I've been knitting them for years and I still need to refer to pictures, it's really a shame they aren't more available. "Harriet" has a diamond lace pattern, but you would never know that the bottom third of the sweater has an entirely different lace pattern. They've pinned sweaters to make them look shaped (a BIG, BIG NO!), but almost all of the sweaters have straight sides. The publisher wants this to be a fashion layout, with fuzzy pictures and beautiful settings, but they don't seem to get that it's an instruction manual and clear pictures of the designs need to be included. And they need to know their audience - spinners like microscopic closeups of yarn!
   
   So overall, I love the book. I am excited to have this collection of Lisa Lloyd's patterns and I expect to wear this book out. A big finger-wagging to the publisher on the photography and thankfully I have the internet available to see some other pictures.



4. When I first saw this book, I thought "Ho hum, another knitting book".
   Closer examination proved how wrong that assessment was.
   
   Yes, it is a knitting book. But it is also a spinning book. Each of the projects included is shown in both commercially spun yarn and in handspun yarn. Since knitting books usually do not include handspun projects, this concept is unique.
   
   The patterns cover a range of classic designs in highly textured knits. There are cabled sweaters, cabled socks, and a cabled scarf. A bit of lace makes an appearance in a couple of the sweater and scarf patterns.
   
   In the text portion, the author discusses the breeds of sheep and other fiber producing animals that produced the fleece she used to create the blends of handspun she used to spin the yarn for the handspun garments shown in the book. There are also notes on spinning, determining knitting gauge for handspun, preparing handspun for knitting, and how to figure out if you have enough fiber for your project. There is much useful information here for the handspinner.
   
   The patterns are well written, the charts are good sized, clear and easy to read, and the garments are beautifully photographed with commemrcial yarn and handpsun versions shown side by side.
   
   I seldom buy knitting books in this price range as there is usually only one or two patterns that interest me. Not the case with this book - I want to spin the yarn and knit almost every single pattern!
   
   If I have one criticism, it is that there is little information given on the specific handspun yarns used in the patterns. For example, tpi and wpi for the handspun yarns is not given.
   
   And, one question: Why is that spindle (pg.16) in a jar with what appears to be some sort of liquid?



5. This book is a treasury of magnificent textured knitting patterns for women(many shaped hourglass, with a few more unisex)...mainly sweaters/ cardigans, although there are a few knock-out scarves and socks, and a bit of colorwork/lace as well.
   
   Most are knit on size 5 to 8 needles, so the yarns aren't ultra-fine (as the book's title may suggest), and are presented in both handspun and commercial natural yarn equivalents, a nice comparison.
   
   The photography leaves a lot to be desired as for seeing the clear patterning of the textured knitting. And the models are often posed holding large items in front of them (which obscures the whole front of their sweater), or are sitting such that you can't see the hem/ waist, or cuff finish of the garment...

5 comments about Fabrics: A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects.

1. I waited 6 weeks and Amazon never sent the book so I cancelled the order and gave up.



2. book was in excellent condition, just as the seller specified! no torns, no highlights, no wear! arrived promptly!



3. A very nice book, quite in depth.
   Covers natural and man made fibers, types of weaves, production and fabric finishes. Many color plate examples to illustrate the information.
   This book was shipped quickly by Amason at half the price I paid at the campus bookstore! Needless to say, I returned the book purchased at the campus bookstore.



4. Well-organized and informative general reference on textiles for home or commercial use. Also has a great references section. Pictures are helpful, but I'd also recommend having a "hands-on" source in order to get a better understanding of all of the terminology and descriptions.



5. This is not an easy reference guide, but a textbook that gives lots of information that is not needed for daily design use. It is also filled with lots of pictures which would be nice if they were really helpful, but they seem to take up a lot of space and act as fluff.

5 comments about Complete Feltmaking: Easy Techniques and 25 Great Projects.

1. Found this book at a book store & paid full price! I wish I had found it here! It's a great book with tons of ideas, has instructions on wet & needle felting as well as knitted felting. I especially like the bright colored projects that are "today's styles". I think it's one of the nicer felting books I have!



2. I was given this book as a gift a while ago and was a bit intimidated to try it out, as I am not the craftiest person around. Luckily I did try, and have been thrilled with the results. The bag I made always get compliments, and whenever I go out people always ask where I got it. It's lovely to tell them I made it, and they can too.
   
   CF is easy to read and the steps are clearly laid out and easy to follow. I also recommend making a cheat sheet of the basic steps, until you are comfortable with them. That way you don't have to keep opening the book/turning pages while you hands are soapy/wet. The design ideas in the book are a good launching point for other designs, so don't be afraid to make to customize the look to your tastes.
   
   I highly recommend this book as a great entry into felt making. I am so excited to try the wall hanging and eventually the slippers for this fall (spoiler alert to my family



3. I have been felt making now for 10 years, so i am most likely being a tad unfair with only giving four stars. I bought this book on the cover as the bag colours and style got my interest. It is a good introduction too the three hobby felt styles- needle , knitting, and wet including nuno felt. Colours are bright and infomation easy to understand.



4. Thorough and complete in every category - this book on feltmaking will get everyone interested in felting to explore one or more of the ways to develop quality felt products. The projects provided in the book are great and tempting to do - perfect for those wanting to learn the subject. Plus the dynamic colors used in nearly every project add to the inspiration provided by the author. Get this book and maybe one more if you can only afford a few books on the subject...and remember, other authors may focus on one technique to the exclusion of others, while this author does not. So perhaps, choose this book first and then find another book, more advanced perhaps, in the felting technique you like best. But don't forget, this author includes some unique advanced projects to sink your felting activities into! Excellent!



5. This is fantastic book - the handbag on the front cover pulled me in and unlike some books the front cover is indicative of the rest of the projects. The projects are well thought out and interesting. Whilst the colours are not always to my liking a bit of imagination helps fix that anyway. I have to make the pansy table runner, the nuno felt scarf, the baby crib blanket, the trout mobile, the booties - the list goes on - all I need now is to get pregnant before I make the last 3. Love this book and it is fund to just flick through and get inspiration.

5 comments about Crazy Quilting - The Complete Guide.

1. This book is the BEST that I have found on crazy quilting! I have quite a collection of books on this subject and if I could keep only one, this would be it! Beautiful, well illustrated, great explanations. It has all the answers. And to make it even better, it is ring-bound so that it lies flat which makes it so easy to use. This book gets an A+ (from a strict grader)!



2. A lot of information is packed in this compact, spiral-bound book. Its smaller size makes it ideal to pack in a tote. Marsha knows her medium well. Lots of eye-candy, good instructions, lots of useful instruction.
   
   I am a dedicated crazy-quilter, too. Of all the books available on the craft, I would highly recommend this new book. Hers, plus Carole Samples' "Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches" are the two must-have books for any serious reference.



3. Excellent book with clear instructions and drawings. I like that the book can lay flat so that one can follow the instructions easily. The size is also great as one can travel with it easily. A great buy, I highly recommend it.



4. I recieved my book promptly and in more than excellent condition. It was securely wrapped and sealed. What more could you ask for? Thank-you so very much for your top notch customer service.



5. THIS BOOK HAS GONE IMMEDIATELY INTO MY TRAVEL-TIME CRAFT BAG!
   IT'S A TERRIFIC RESOURCE AND THE SIZE AND BINDING MAKE IT IDEAL FOR USE ON TRIPS.
   
   THE AUTHOR IS SO KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EXPLAINS THINGS SO WELL THAT I'VE COME TO ADMIRE HER WORK AND USE HER BOOKS FOR REFERENCES WHEN I CRAZY-QUILT, WHICH I LOVE TO DO AT HOME BY MACHINE OR ON THE ROAD BY HAND. THIS IS IDEAL FOR PEOPLE AT EITHER BEGINNER OR INTERMEDIATE LEVEL.

1 comments about Making History - Quilts & Fabric from 1890-1970: 9 Reproduction Quilt Projects - Historic Notes & Photographs - Dating Your Quilts.

1. If you want to learn to date fabrics found in quilts and cotton clothing, then this book is a must have. MAKING HISTORY Quilts and Fabrics covers the topics in the same detail and stylistic manner of America's Printed Fabrics, for the years 1890 to 1970. With this book, Barbara Brackman essentially finishes her update of Clues in the Calico, (1989).
   
   If I were to use one word to describe the book's text, it is concise.She gives us a great deal of meaty information by combining period fabrics used for clothing, interiors furnishings, and quilts with interior and architectural design schools and wraps them into a synopses of their influence on patterned fabric's scale, color, weave and print.
   
   Large swatches of original fabrics and reproduction prints are featured in exacting color photographs. Smaller quilt pictures show vintage ones. What is great, especially for someone new to dating fabrics, is that she goes back to the beginning dye history of a color and brings it forward to the focus of the years the chapter covers.
   
   Barbara writes that her personal mission when doing research for this book was the discovery of why the look of quilts changed so much in the early 20th century, compared to the years before it. This book is a very interesting read as it draws from the greater field of textiles and interior design, with a wider focus than reproduction and antique fabrics and quilts.

5 comments about Digitizing Made Easy: Create Custom Embroidery Designs Like a Pro.

1. Book arrived in excellent condition in record time. Well written, very informative and will be an asset to my sewing library!



2. This book exceeded my expectations for the price. It is packed with great instruction for any digitizing software and wonderful embroidery/digitizing history.



3. IF you struggle to understanding why embroidery designs resized in your software program did not sew out right--this basic book is for you. If you already know the terms PUSH & PULL and concept of compensation...then probably too basic. For me, embroidery is new hobby. I purchased the 4D software and only afterwards realized it assumed a knowledge base beyond what I had to make my investment worthwhile. This book is useful beginner resource and very easy to understand. Accompanying CD is designed to sell more of his product. He demos his instructional CD as well...so recommendation might be to look into that first if you prefer that as learning method.



4. This was a wonderful book. For someone who doesn't know where to begin, this worked for me.



5. This book is not about how to digitize as much as it is about expanding your information about what is possible with digitizing. Mr. Deer has a great deal of knowledge that he share with you. Only a few of the included designs are really good ones. His goal is to encourage you to bravely try digitizing on your own. I was introduced to a few new techniques which were explained well. Enjoy!

5 comments about More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric Completely Revised and Updated.

1. Being very hesitatant at first about the book and the people telling me to get this book it's the greatest; well I've head that before. I have to state clearly "I WAS WRONG" this is the greatest book for sewing usage, but also, anytime you want to purchase material for any project whatever it may be you have to have this book. It gives you information such as; tells you the fabric, washing instructions, thread to use, needles, pressing, what foot to use on machine, and much more. This was for every type of fabric it's a "must have book".



2. More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric Completely Revised and Updated
   
   This is a must have book for anyone who sews. If you are starting out, it will save you a lot of frustration, money and fabric/supplies. If you are more advanced or a serious seamstress, it will help you to know the answers to all the questions that come up when handling multiple types of textiles. Each page on a fabric gives you all the information you need to know about that fabric, including what needle to use, what pressure foot to sew with, whether to wash or dryclean, line, how to hem, etc.
   
   If I had this book when I was starting out over 30 years ago, I could have saved a lot of money. This is a great gift for someone who loves to sew.



3. I received this book quicker than I expected and was extremely happy with the condition of this used book. It was almost like new. The seller certainly ensured that I received exactly what I wanted as quickly as possible. Just excellent customer service to this international buyer.
   I will keep on trying to source those difficult to find books from this seller.
   With grateful thanks



4. I really like this book. It covers many fabrics, including many I've been hesitant to use or nervous about when I did. I recently bought a new electronic sewing machine and this has been a real help. The recommendations about the right foot to use and when were a boon in selecting which accessories to buy. I also really like the sections in the back. There are illustrations on different seams, closures, and hems, plus information on stain removal, linings, and sources. Great!



5. This contains everything you would ever want to find out before purchasing fabric. It tells you what the fabric should be used for, if it should be washed and how before sewing, the thread, needle and stitch size that would work best. It will save you both time and money in the end.

No comments about Fabric Science.

5 comments about Learning to Weave, Revised Edition.

1. This book is a excellent teaching tool for beginner weavers and a solid resource for experienced weavers. I highly recommend it (and so does the expert weaver who is teaching me).



2. This book is the most concise, understandable learn-to-weave book we have found. The author shares her obviously extensive knowledge of weaving in a way that is clear and not the least bit intimidating. The quantity and quality of photo illustrations is excellent. The text and photos make sense together and are extremely helpful. It is obvious that the author not only knows weaving, but has extensive, successful experience at teaching people to weave.
   
   She starts you weaving from the start, and explains the design elements later, after you understand the physical process of weaving.
   
   If you want to learn the basics of weaving, this is the book to own.



3. Having never woven in my life, I bought a 4-shaft table loom and with this book, in two days successfully warped my loom and wove a 5' sampler and a nice placemat. Although I had a little trouble initially understanding all the new-to-me weaving terminology, I was able to follow the book step by step with wonderful results. By the time I got to the end, I was very comfortable using my loom, understood the concepts taught in weaving the sampler, and feel ready to try more techniques. Great book!



4. I really enjoyed this book. It has a lot of good information for everyone. It wasn't written for the complete beginner though. Even with that said, I think, if you're interested in getting started and learning the language etc., this is a very good book to start with.



5. When my weaving friends aren't around, this is my weaving bible. Great photos and text written in an easy-to-get manner. She even suggests inexpensive ways to create some of the tools needed. Sample patterns and suggested thread; lots of good ideas and various ways to achieve the same thing. Highly recommended.