1 comments about Fabric Jewelry: 25 Designs to Make Using Silk, Ribbon, Buttons, and Beads.

1. I was extremely disappointed in this book, given the possibilities for wildly creative and colorful jewelry I expected from Teresa Searle (and which the cover photo led me to believe were inside) based on her fantastic first book, "Heartfelt: 25 Projects for Stitched and Felted Accessories." The projects in her first book more closely mirrored her original style: fabulously colorful creations from felt layered on felt, and stitched in different ways, all in unusual color combinations.
   
   In this book, she has moved into other materials and gives us jewelry made from buttons, crystals, beads, sequins, rickrack, and yarns combined with fabrics such as cottons, chiffons, and silks. I feel that most of the projects are less than inspired (a fabric-wrapped bangle?) and some are all too reminiscent of projects explained in other books (such as fabric-covered buttons, a necklace of threadlace created with dissolvable interfacing, or a knitted chenille flower corsage). Perhaps Teresa Searle has moved into using fabrics other than her signature felt but I just expected more original work from her--jewelry that blazed forth as creative sophistication, not jewelry that looks like it screams "middle school craft fair."

5 comments about Vogue Knitting.

1. so my wife says. but she's the knitter - not me. she says this is THE book to have.



2. This beautifully presented book is a minefield of wonderful illustrations and photos to help and guide you through almost any queries you might have. The relative sections I wanted information on, were very easy to find. An absolute treasure of a book.



3. I just recently got back into knitting. I understand some of the basics (knit, purl, casting off), but I am still just a novice. The illustrations are excellent! I have found these to be very helpful. I used to go to the internet for help and would waste time searching through site after site. No more, this is the first place that I go to now. In many cases this book will show you how to do techniques in more than just one way. A must for every knitter!Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book



4. Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book has helped me MUCH more than any other how to book. I think it's a must have learn how to knit and reference book for any knitter - whether you're just learning or are an expert. The illustrations are thoughtfully presented in multiple colors and unlike many other books, it's actually very very easy to understand. Illustrations as well as verbal descriptions work for people that learn both ways. Fabulous book - I highly recommend.



5. I've only been knitting for over a year and a friend who started the same time as I did has been doing so much better than I. She told me her secret...she uses this book. I purchased a month ago and LOVE it. My knitting has already gotten better and I discovered that the reason my pieces weren't going together well was because the instruction I received in another book was poor. This made it so easy for me...you can't even see the seam on the latest baby sweater I knit. It also helped me figure out what things meant - has a great reference section. I feel like I can do anything now with help from this book. A must have for anyone learning to knit.

5 comments about A Dictionary of Costume and Fashion: Historic and Modern.

1. The previous reviewer, Michelle Willingham, does not seem familiar with the use of a dictionary. It is not intended to be read, but consulted when information is needed.

   This is an excellent reference work, a classic in its field.




2. I found this book to be rather comprehensive in terminology and volume of terms. I would have liked to have seen some dates for items, at least approximately. Eg: It is important to know when the zipper was invented in order to make a historically correct dress. But all in all the book has been helpful with definitions and illustrations.



3. I just received my copy today, and I am thrilled with it. It is exactly what I was hoping for, a useful, easy to pick up (it's lightweight and not so large that it's a difficult reference), simple to use reference material for our costume shop. Includes broader headings (sportswear), as well as specifics, the pictures are great (although more would be helpful), and there are fabric descriptions as well. Highly recommended as a reference, do not purchase as a reading book. Perfect for a work setting.



4. This text was required for my costume history course. I found it lacking -- many definitions do not have images to illustrate them, making learning difficult. Definitions are not very descriptive: if you're looking for a comprehensive fashion dictionary, this isn't it.



5. I believe the book is very complete, not only because of the word definitions, but also because of the pictures which show how costumes were in each fashion trend and in which we can see diferences between time an place. I have just recieved the book and that is the impresion I have from a quick look.

1 comments about Quiet Time Busy Books: Fun Fabric Pages Personalized for Your Little One.

1. I was looking for a book with ideas & instructions for quiet books & found this before it was even released & pre-ordered it & was so anxious to get it in the mail. It was a huge disappointment. It didn't have much at all in the way of traditional quiet book stuff (you know the ones where you lace up the shoe or button the button). It was weird quilting/applique stuff that didn't have much to do with interactive quiet book stuff at all. If I can find it I'll post some pictures. If you still think you want it buy mine! I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because I think there was 1 idea or 2 in there that I thought I could adapt. I wish I had my money back though!

5 comments about Felt Frenzy: 26 Projects for All Forms of Felting.

1. This is a really fun book on making felt--which is a shrunken woven or non-woven fabric. Felt Frenzy contains a number of techniques to make felt; not only knitting and shrinking, but also recycling, needlepunch felt and raw fiber felting.
   
   
   Some of the projects are handbags from recycled felt. If you find an attractive Fair Isle or patterned sweater at the Goodwill, you can felt it, and cut it up and add handles. Now you have a stylish knitting bag or even a purse.
   
   Footies and socks can be made from felt--felt slippers are standard "save the floor wear" in many places.
   
   By far, my favorite "I haven't seen THIS before" project is a pincushion of rolled wool that gives the effect of sushi rolls. How CUTE is that?!! A crafter could knock off these and give friends an adorable housegift.
   
   
   This book has 26 projects with not only bags, but also flowers (felt makes good ornaments for other knitting and for bags,) pincushions (as I mentioned) and more. There are ideas other than the projects for the beginning felt maker. A really PRETTY book--very nicely done. I'd love to make a number of these attractive projects.



2. i just love this book. i have bought many, many books on this subject and this is by far the best. it covers 4 kinds of felting; felting knitted and crocheted items, wet felting, needle felting and recycled felting. i've been felting for a while - mainly knit/crochet felting and needle felting. but i am now going to try the other two methods after reading this book. one thing that i really liked is a full color page of swatches showing non-wool 'fancy yarns' felted with wool yarns. wow! what a time saver to be able to see what they look like w/o doing the swatches myself. also, the yarns used are not the obscure yarns you sometimes see in books like this. they are mainly Knit Picks (my personal fav), Crystal Palace, Cascade and Lion Brand. many of them are yarns that i wouldn't have thought of using as a 'drag-a-long' for felting. there are 40 swatch images in all. there are also some tips about knitted felting vs crocheted felting that i didn't know and that will be very helpful in my future projects. there is a bag in there that i am going to get to work on right away. it's called The Bag of Many Pockets and it's genius. can't wait to see how it comes out. i would recommend this to those whe are brand new to felting and also those with experience. i have bought at least 10 books on felting and this immediately became my favorite. oh, it is also beautifully photographed - all color photos for every item and for the instructions. did i say that i love this book?



3. I own several felting books and other than Nicky Epsteins for reference, this book is the best I have found for actual projects and techniques. It is very well written, the projects are accesible such that you want to make them and can see the finished project being used by youself and friends. This book covers many felting types and gives great directions for knitting and wet felting and nuno felt. They also give lots of tips and ideas throughout the book to change a pattern or make decoration to personalize your project. Great book!!!



4. This book gave great instructions for various methods of felting. I was a little disappointed in the projects.



5. This book is the ultimate, beautiful pics, well written instructions, very easy to follow and great reading

3 comments about Classic Tailoring Techniques: A Construction Guide for Women's Wear (F.I.T. Collection).

1. An excellent book with clear, well explained diagrams and photographs. The book takes you through the full procedure for tailoring women's jackets, skirts and pants



2. I bought Classic Tailoring Techniques: A Construction Guide for Men's Wear first. It's great. The text teaches you how to make beautifully tailored garments. I wanted to see those techniques specifically for women's jackets, trousers, and skirts so I bought this edition. Except for the section on pants and skirts, the text is identical in both books. The sections on women's pants and skirts is like anything you'd find in a commercial pattern instruction sheet - nothing special at all. Couture techniques for making beautifully tailored pants for women are not described or even hinted at in this book. Actually, it's not the fault of the author -- tailoring techniques are actually designed for men's clothing. Couture techniques are essentially for women's clothing. If you want to learn to make tailored jackets (men's or women's), either book gives the same instructions. For tailored trousers, use the men's book. For women's skirts, see Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire B. Shaeffer. (Actually, Claire Shaeffer's Vogue patterns for jackets and trousers are probably a better purchase than this book.)



3. I found this book and the men's wear companion to be extremely informative and one of the best guides around for learning how to create a tailored garment using the traditional techniques as opposed to the "speed" tailoring that is so popular. I was disappointed that the women's book did include pants. Everyone is not going to buy both books. A basic pair of women's trousers could have been included. I was also surprised that neither book included topcoats or raincoats with zip/button-out linings. They are not just long jackets; there are differences in construction techniques. I also think that there should have been a little more clarification of some things. For instance, it took me a while to realize that silk-finished thread was actually Mettler's silk-finish cotton thread and not a type of silk thread. Minor gripes in comparison to the knowledge to be gained therein by those who want to make couture-quality garments.

4 comments about Maryanne Lincoln's Comprehensive Dying Guide: 10 Years Of Recipes From The Dye Kitchen (Rug Hooking Magazine's Framework).

1. Anyone involved in rug hooking or wool work will find learning to dye wool is the next logical step to producing unique results - and one of the most essential parts of making finished products outstanding. Colorist Maryanne Lincoln has written articles on dyeing for over 10 years: her lesson formulas appeared bi-monthly for over 10 years in Rug Hooking magazine, and are gathered here in a reference explaining each step. Any involved in wool dyeing should consider the Comprehensive Dyeing Guide to be an essential reference which is packed with color images and coverage of a wide variety of methods.



2. Maryanne Lincoln's Comprehensive Dying Guide is a must have book for the beginner or expert--It teaches the beginner how to dye and encourages the expert to experiment with the dyes.
   
   It also shows how to get all the colors of wool you would ever need using just 4 dyes.



3. This book provides valuable information for anyone wanting to dye wool. While it is geared toward rug hooking, the dyeing information is valuable for any craft. To use the book you only need to buy five different colors of dye.



4. I'm very happy with this book. It is a comprehensive review of dyeing methods and of dye formulas.

5 comments about Fast, Fun & Easy Irresist-A-Bowls.

1. A book to enjoy for a whole weekend.



2. A few dollar and a few hours and you have a great gift. This book assumes the reader has some sewing experience.



3. Very concise descriptions of how to make the bowls! Pictures are great!



4. It looks good so far. Haven't had time to do much yet.



5. This book has easy to read, easy to follow instructions, with excellent pictorial examples. It shows how the sample bowls are made and then has suggestions on how they can be customized. Where the materials are not readily available, they suggest easy-to-find substitutes and explain the changes necessary to make that work.
   
   I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with these and end up with a set of products that look hand-crafted, rather than home-made, that will tie together all the decorations for the wedding. The fabric flowers I'm making will be perfect in these, braided into a ring, encircling an oil votive.

1 comments about Make Spectacular Books (Create & Treasure (C&T Publishing)).

1. This book was one I found at the local library and loved, so decided to own my own copy. It has taught me a new artistic skill and done so in a clear and engaging way. I hope to locate an online forum for this craft because I just know the applications are unlimited. The book is well-written with clear photographs of all steps, a real plus in my book! I hope the author gives us more of the same!

1 comments about La Mode Illustree Fashion Plates in Full Color.

1. I found this beautiful picture book of French Fashions from the 19th century an absolute delight.

   The pictures are excellently drawn, in FULL COLOR, and filling an entire page. Most of the pages show two ladies in lovely costumes from the period.

   The brief text either explains the occasion for which the dress would be worn, or the materials and fabric of the gown.

   There is always a bit of background color behind the ladies so they are not on a stark white page, yet the background does not, in any way detract from the ladies and their apparel.

   There are more detailed explanations of each of the gowns featured , listed and numbered, at the front of the book.

   There are also a couple of pages featuring various bonnets and hats for spring and winter wear.