5 comments about Beginner's Guide to Silk Painting.

1. This is a great book for beginers. Lots of great photos and explanations. Very happy with this purchase!



2. This book is beautifully presented. Unfortunately, the information inside is scant. I learned more surfing the web than I did from this book.



3. An excellent addition to your silk painting reference books. Colorful pictures. Simple directions and traceable patterns. Simple steam fixing directions too.



4. I WAS SO INSPIRED BY THIS BOOK, I JUST COULDNOT WAIT TO GET STARTED. NOW I'M HOOKED!!!



5. The Beginner's Guide to Silk Painting is a joy! Easy to read with lots of demonstration illustrations. For the beginner, the book offers a number of easily understandable techniques and projects that give you a sense of accomplishment. A great purchase!

5 comments about Folk Mittens: Techniques and Patterns for Handknitted Mittens (Folk Knitting series).

1. I gave this book 5 stars because the mitten patterns and the history behind each mitten is awesome but....frankly her explaination on how to knit them, especially the thumbs is rather pathetic! I have been knitting for quite a few years and have knit many pairs of mittens, and knitting these mittens, or at least just the thumbs were rather difficult to figure out. At least I think so. If her explaination on how to knit the thumb gussets where better explained, I don't believe the mittens would be very difficult to knit. The graphs in the book are very good. Very easy and not confusing. Even with the thumbs being confusing...I think it's definately a book worth buying. You can always go to a local yarn store to get help on the thumbs if you need to. The finished mittens are beautiful and I know I'm glad I took the time to figure out the thumb gussets.



2. I purchased this book hoping for something comparable to Nancy Bush's excellent "Folk Socks" and was very disappointed. The designs and colourways are crude compared to the folk designs they're based on, and Lewandowski's brief accounts of folk traditions are poorly written and patronizing. The book includes some useful information on the construction of mittens, but I would not want to knit any of the patterns.



3. If you can knit from charts and don't need directions, this book is for you. While the pictures are pretty, the charts are tiny, and I found the explanatory text weak. Note that each mitten comes in one size only - it's up to you to size up or down by changing needle size and/or yarn weight.
   I agree with the other reviewer about the lack of information on how to do thumb gussets. For an advanced knitter, this could be a great idea book. For those who want more detailed instructions, not so much. A better book for those wanting explanations and details about folk mitten traditions is "Favorite Mittens" by Robin Hansen.



4. This is a good source book for mittens and I'm looking forward to trying to convert some of the needle knitting patterns to a loom pattern and see what I can come up with. Then I might try some of them on needles. They look gorgeous, and very interesting. I have read through the descriptions and everything on each mitten listed several times. It's a good source book for mittens.



5. This is a great book for seasoned folk knitters or beginners alike. The intro is very informative and helpful in demonstrating most of the techniques in the book. Charts are accompanied by a color picture of the finished project, as well as a written description. I've made nearly all of the patterns so far and I love them all! Many different fibers and techniques used.

4 comments about Interweave's Compendium of Finishing Techniques: Crochet, Embroidery, Knitting, Knotting, Weaving.

1. A very thorough review of different ways to finish your projects through stitches, trimmings, decorative braids, etc. Clear concise instructions, and easy to follow illustrations. A wonderful book!!



2. I like the book very much, however, I feel the layout and the photography could have been tighter and more artful. There's a bit of a rushed-to-put-together feel about it, which is disappointing. Nevertheless, good value for a finishing reference book because it applies to all needlework disciplines.



3. Well done you. It is a great thing to write a book, another to actually have it published, and a sheer triumph if it is a good read. Congratulations on achieving all three.



4. I'm dyslexic and left handed -- and after several decades of false starts learning to knit -- I finally got it. What I couldn't figure out from all the wonderful knitting books available now is how to get the beginnings and endings (and the errors in the middle) to work as well as the actual knits, purls, yarnovers, and slips....
   
   I borrowed one book of finishing techniques, found another at a local bookstore, and found dozens of pages on the web that all attempted to explain how to accomplish these tasks which are evidently simple to most knitters.
   
   This book, "Interweave's Compendiu7m of Finishing Techniuest..." and another Interweave book called "Knit Fix" are the only books I've found that manage to explain in such a way that I can translate their instructions into successful knitting. Both books are compact, spiral bound, and full of un-misunderstandable directions and clear, plentiful illustrations.
   
   If I can understand the writing and illustrations in these books, imagine how useful they will be for the average kntter!
   
   This book suffers greatly by not featuring the word "knitting" in its title -- in dozens of searches on Amazon, it never came up and was never associated with other books in this family -- oddly, it is associated with weaving books only. Don't let this mislead you.

4 comments about 365 Foundation Quilt Blocks.

1. Love this book. Excellent variety of patterns and I can quickly make a block up within a half hour. Very easy and quick for even the new quilter to do paper piecing. By the end of the year I'll have 365 blocks and possible a few quilts finished!



2. This is the second foundation quilt block book that I have bought written by Linda Causse and I can't wait to get started on my next quilt project using one of her latest designs. Since I am a fairly new quilter, I find her books very explicit with instructions and helpful tips, especially for a quilter doing foundation blocks for the first time.
   Lynne Carlos
   Fiji Islands



3. This is a vey comprehensive book containing most of the patterns for paperpicing anyone can imagine. All kind of subjects are covered. I regret I did'nt buy this book long time ago



4. I am a quilter. I wanted some patterns for foundation blocks. I found this book to be essentially useless. There were alot of patterns, but the most complicated could be much easier made with applique.

5 comments about Beaded Embellishment: Techniques & Designs for Embroidering on Cloth (Beadwork How-To series).

1. I am just beginning with fabric arts and this book was just what I was looking for. I had never done beading on fabric before. This book gave a little history, talked about supplies and showed several basic steps. It had several nice projects to work on as well as several lovely pictures of other artists' work. It also goes into color theory and talk about design which I only skimmed over, but that's just me. Overall, very, very helpful for someone starting out in this area.



2. This book is one of the most exciting beading books I have read. Not only does it have beautiful projects with a variety of techniques, but the gallery of pieces made is out of this world. I would recommend it strongly for any serious or even beginning beader. Beading rocks!!!



3. I have totally enjoyed this book. I had already done some bead embroidery, but this book gave me a lot more to think about and the photos in the projects and gallery sections were very inspirational. While I'm working on a piece, I look at this book to think about new stitches that I haven't done or color combinations and more. I haven't made a lot of the projects, but I use the information from them to build my own pieces. I think this book is a MUST HAVE if you want to create bead embroidered work.



4. These women know their stuff, and they know how to teach it to others. They give you plenty of detail in techniques, and offer a lot of inspiring examples of work.



5. I loved this book. It gave me so many new ideas on how to bead on fabric, which is mainly what I was interested in. I like to liven up some of my projects with beads and this book showed me how. Well worth buying

5 comments about Designs by Erte: Fashion Drawings and Illustrations from Harper's Bazar.

1. Vogue editor Diana Vreeland once said that no one in the 20th century had a greater influence on fashion than Erte, this desite the fact that he worked for a competitor, Harper's Bazaar. That's an indication of just how revolutionary his work was for the times. Working with virtually no direction to blunt his creativity, Erte published paintings and sketches of ingenious fashions that are as playful and lighthearted as they are luxurious and exquisite. He envisioned modern women (from 1915 to 1926) as goddesses, ultra-chic stars, children of nature, and totally feminine creatures to be adored and exalted. His fashions reflect this, individualistic and charming, colorful and startlingly functional. The 8 color covers and many B/W illustrations show insight into a dimension of fashion that one normally sees only on the show runways: the never-ending well of creativity brought to life by a truly inventive mind unhampered with concerns of marketability. Peruse the illustrations and notice allusions to gardens, paper-weaving, architecture, tennis, various members of the animal kingdom, ceremonial draperies, sailing ships, and flames. Dresses, coats, masks, swimming costumes, sleepwear, and gowns all ornamented with beads, fur trim, sheer draperies, corded lacings, silver embroidery, leather and straw. Practical? Not really. Mass manufacturing? Not in a million years. This is extreme fashion, the stuff of couture, such as would be worn to the salon of writers and intellectuals. Erte loved best to design for the stage, and the drama and fantasy of theater is in evidence in each ornate illustration. Although for 3 years he produced designs for Altman and Bendel in NY, most of his work was strictly conceptual, and many readers of Harper's saved covers and sketches to muse over as they would an art history volume, as evidence of another world. Ignoring fashion trends, Erte generated innovative and outre designs that still amaze and delight those of us who appreciate true originality. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in textile or fashion design, but also to graphic designers, sculptors, and those who really enjoy art for its own sake. This book is, in one word: luscious.



2. Great graphics, imaginative design, fabulous period reference. Outstanding in every way!



3. As a designer of embroidery designs, this one was a winner for me. I love all of the publicatins from Dover!



4. This book is great. Erte was a genius. I love looking through this book and only wish I could sew some of the fashions.



5. This book shows why ERTE` was so admired and so popular during the 1920's-1930's and beyond.
   
   I have always wanted to see ERTE's drawings from Harper`s because those drawings are what ERTE` was (and is) known for. Well, this large paperback book introduces the reader to some of the exciting and creative designs that ERTE` created and printed in HARPER'S BAZAAR during the 1920's and 1930's.
   
   "WOW", is the word I have to apply to the Harper's drawings created by ERTE`!! His designs were ABSOLUTELY ahead of their time! His designs were completely amazing and creative! Erte's drawings showed the type of clothes worn by famous Hollywood actresses during the 1920-1930's!! (I can visualize Joan Crawford wearing a fabulous Erte` design!)
   
   There are a few colored HARPER`S magazine cover reproductions in the middle of this book, but the black and white line drawings that ERTE` included in the HARPER's magazines are what draws the reader to this book.

No comments about Fast, Fun & Easy Needle Felting: 8 Techniques & Projects - Creative Results in Minutes! (Fun Fast & Easy).

4 comments about Elegantly Frugal Costumes: The Poor Man's Do-It-Yourself Costume Maker's Guide.

1. An excellent book of ideas and help for someone wanting to learn to costume for community theatre. It contains excellent examples of her own work that is easy to follow. It does not overload your brain with useless information. A good starting out book, that aids a person in organizing the information , and research problems needed to suceeded in this field. Also a good read for veterans of the design buisness to give fresh ideas and back up what they have done . After 35 years finally I have found someone who appreciates the use of thrift stores , goodwill and lace curtains for stage costumes. Thank you Shirley for putting it into words and pictures.



2. What I like about this book is that it foregoes any esoterica and costuming theory in favor of good old fashioned practicality. The reader doesn't have to sift through the excruciating snobby details, but instead is given the real lowdown as if visiting with a best friend who happens to be a costume mistress.

   This book focuses mainly on costuming for low-budget productions (such as community theatre or a school play), providing useful information and advice on making good-looking costumes from already existing garments and/or thrift store offerings. Information abounds about time period, costume cuts & styles, ways to splurge or skimp on your costumes and still have them look fabulous, as well as details that an inexperienced costumer might overlook (such as using velcro instead of buttons for ease in costume changes).

   I would highly recommend this to anyone who is involved in costuming for a production, or anyone who simply loves costumes and loves to recycle old clothes into great new ones. I love this book and have read through it several times just for inspiration.




3. I received this book as a gift, and I am grateful for it. It does have some good ideas, some that I hadn't thought about, some different ways of doing things. It helps to think in different ways, do some brain-exercising.



4. nice little book, detailing ways to change existing 20th century clothes into period costumes for theatre.

1 comments about A New Slant on Bargello Quilts.

1. Marge Edie has done an outstanding job of teaching this technique so it can be understood by the beginner as well as the advanced quilter. Its a refreshing new idea. She gives encouragement to the beginner by revealing things like "my points don't always match". The gallery is an inspiration. You'll be surprised at how different the slant bargello looks from "regular bargello". The designs look complicated, but if you can rotary cut and sew a 1/4 inch seam with accuracy, you'll be amazed at the beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations you can turn out -- and best of all, when you are finished sewing, you are also finished quilting -- it's quilt as you go!

3 comments about Machine Applique For The Terrified Quilter (That Patchwork Place).

1. I wish I lived closer to Ms. Pederson so I could learn in person from her. She has a GREAT book and the way it is written makes me ready to machine appliqué.
   
   Her book starts out like many quilting books --- talking about the tools you need to do it. BUT what her book has that I have never found in any other is a GREAT explanation of machine needle sizes and thread sizes. I now understand it and will keep her book handy for when I forget what she said. (Old age does that to you! hehe)
   
   Another thing I have never found in quilting books is something called "The Brooklyn Revolver". As she says it is not a gun but a very handy tool for gluing up many small pieces of appliqué.
   
   21 pages of "get ready to appliqué" instructions begin Ms. Pederson's book and you should read every word if you are a beginner appliqué-er. If you are a more experienced one, then you should read every word because I know you will find a tip or two you didn't know before.
   
   There are ten different quilt patterns and each has a paragraph about the quilt before the rest of the instructions are given. The material and cutting lists are clear and easy to follow. The step-by-step instructions for assembling the blocks have graphics to help you visualize what you are creating. Templates are provided although some need to be enlarged. And the assembly and finishing instructions complete the patterns.
   
   There are, of course, color photos of each quilts and the finished quilt size is also provided. The final two pages are a resource list and an overview of the author. So, grab a copy and start appliquéing!



2. This book is so complete and precise. Sharon covers everything and every question that would arise in learning to applique or learning a new technique of machine applique. The pictures are large and clear and Sharon's written instructions are so easy to follow. She covers everything and I can tell you the end result is wonderful. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves machine applique and who wants to get the most out of the sewing machine they have purchased.



3. Any who would try machine applique may find it a daunting task initially, but Sharon Pederson's book Machine Applique for the Terrified Quilter for the beginner takes the mystery out of techniques, using a lively writing style to provide insights on a wide range of machine applique options. From projects that demonstrate different stitches and alternative options to incorporating applique into a quilting endeavor, Machine Applique for the Terrified Quilter discusses patterns, applique options, and step-by-step methods. Quilting libraries will find this an important acquisition.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch