1 comments about Machine-Stitched Cathedral Windows: Updating an Old Favorite.

1. Shelley Swanland's Machine-Stitched Cathedral Windows provides 12 beautiful quilts, with step-by-step instructions and templates for producing the cathedral window forms. Color photos provide eye-catching examples.

No comments about Be-Dazzled: 50+ Projects for You and Your Home Made With the Original Be-Dazzler Machine.

5 comments about The Professional Model's Handbook.

1. Balhorn's explicit exploration of the intricacies of the (mainly American) modelling world seem perfect for the brash mid 1980's surge in modelling interest and public obsession, yet seems almost comically isolated in today's understated chic that the industry is based upon.



2. I've read many modeling books, but I think that this book is the best because it gives you information about make-up, hair, photo sessions, analyzing your face, agency information, and etc. There is so much information in here that I had to read at least 5 books for. I bought this book after 2 years of modeling and I wish I had read it when I was starting out. This is a great book to add to your collection and if you are a model you should always be reading books and studying your field. Don't get started until you are absolutely sure this is what you want and you know everything about the industry. Good Luck!



3. This book was very expensive, and a rip off. I returned it for a refund.



4. This is by far the most complete source of information of use to a professional fashion model that is currently in print. Much of the exhaustive material here is unique to this book (at least among modeling books). It is dense reading, targetted at those willing to invest the time to really understand the industry they are in. It's priced like a textbook, and worth every dollar to those serious about the fashion modeling industry.
   
   It is dated (published in 1990), so much of the material on makeup and styling is out of date. But that's not what is most important about this book. If you want to try to learn makeup and posing techniques, get another, more recent book. If you want to learn things that only pros know about the industry, get this one.



5. When I got this book I was interested in becoming a model, not knowing anything about the business or how to get started. It took me a long time to finish the book because I was busy taking notes and there is so much information to take in. The book doesn't miss a thing! Everything you ever need to know about starting into a business like this is in there. Things from what you need to get started, proper poses,information on the financial side of things, hair/makeup application, walking, and checklists for what you need to buy. The price of this book was well worth it. I have read other modeling books and they do not come close to this one. Although I recommend this book over all the others out there, it is a little out of date. Even knowing this, anyone truly interested in knowing all you can before starting your modeling career should invest in this book. Have fun reading!

4 comments about The Crocheter's Treasure Chest: 80 Classic Patterns for Tablecloths, Bedspreads, Doilies and Edgings (Dover Needlework Series).

1. "The Crocheter's Treasure Chest" is an excellent, comprehensive book for anyone that loves to crochet or wants to learn. It has easy to follow directions and explains as well as illustrates how to make the stictches.

   The book has a variety of patterns from doilies to large tablecloths to bedspreads. For those who want to tackle larger projects, you can make sets such as placemats and table runners with matching coasters.

   There are also examples of how to combine crocheting with fabric for tablecloths and doiles. There are a variety of edgings which can be adapted to any fabric.

   Overall, this book meets the needs of the beginning as well as the experienced crocheter. Happy Crocheting!




2. Although the patterns in this book are beautiful, you should work with another book if you're a beginner. These patterns were written by/for thread companies that have long been out of business. The gage is very difficult to get correct on some of these and it took some research on thread to needle equivalents and a number of restarts to get going on a doily that would lay flat.



3. This is another lovely book of old fashioned thread crochet projects for the home. I purchased it at the same time as "Floral Crochet"
   
   My only handicap working from this book is the fact I learned to crochet some 30 years ago using the British Terminology of crocheting. Other than that, it has a large selection and variety of projects to choose from - place settings for dining, bedspread, arm-chair covers, doilies etc.
   
   I have not worked any of the projects from this particular book but I love to look at it. I recommend this anyone who loves thread crochet.



4. The Crocheter's Treasure Chest: 80 Classic Patterns for Tablecloths, Bedspreads, Doilies and Edgings (Dover Needlework Series)
   
   There are so many old time patterns, my favorite is the cover pattern. I will be making this for a gift for a loved one next year after the holidays. Can't wait to get started! There are so many other patterns in this book that have a "make me" label on them.

3 comments about A Quilter's Diary: Written in Stitches (That Patchwork Place).

1. As with all of Mimi Dietrich's books, 'A Quilter's Diary' is an attractive and well presented volume. The central concept of the book is the idea of making a 'quilt diary' about yourself or someone else - choosing quilt blocks whose names or patterns represent important mile stones in your life. There are photos of Mimi's own diary quilt and the quilts of some of her students as well as the patterns for 150 patchwork and applique blocks arranged according to various themes such as childhood, parents, true love, home, career and so on. The only reason I haven't given the book five stars is because 150 blocks don't really provide enough choice for a personal quilt, and readers will have to look further at other quilt block books - to be fair, there is a list of possibilites in the bibliography at the end, but it would have been nice to see more blocks presented as well as they are here.



2. I am a journalist - that is I keep a journal of my daily activities. I am also pretty creative but Ms. Dietrich has one over on me with this book. I never thought to "journal" my life in a quilt! What a GREAT idea.
   
   She begins the book with five pages of how to gather the threads of your life by explaining how to pick out the blocks you will use. She uses seven areas of life such as Grandparents, Children and Dreams and Wishes to name a few. Under these sections, she has them broken farther down into such things as Home, Pets, Hobbies and Retirement.
   
   Each section and sub-section has suggested blocks. Each section begins by showing an appliqué block and then there are six pieced blocks in that section. All in all, there are 156 blocks to choose from. Two of the blocks are embroidered word blocks. You can see thirteen different "journal" quilts in the gallery that follows the blocks.
   
   There is an eight page section on quilting basics which is followed by a wonderful two page suggestion on how to create the quilt label. The final page is a short bio on Ms. Dietrich.
   
   This is a book I will keep in my library forever. Besides being a great book on journal quilts, it will be a great reference to 154 quilt blocks.



3. Mimi Dietrich's A QUILTER'S DIARY WRITTEN IN STITCHES provides well over a hundred pieced and appliqued block patterns to construct a life story in fabric. From themes of family, hobbies and holidays to examples of completed 'diary' quilts and setting tips, quilters receive patterns, colors and tips perfect for chronicling a life story. Quilting libraries will find this an important acquisition.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

No comments about Country-Fresh Quilts: Traditional Blocks With Floral Accents (That Patchwork Place).

4 comments about Heavenly Handmade Bags: Over 25 Designs to Stitch, Knit, Embroider, and Embellish.

1. A great book to fire the imagination. Lots of ideas and colorful illustrations. A very good guide for getting started.



2. too over the top crafty cutesy for my taste. If you like that kind of look - you'll enjoy it, otherwise - try something plainer



3. I recently saw a lady carrying the most amazing tote bag I've ever seen in my life. I have an eye for crafts, and I immediately suspected that this bag was a one-of-a-kind purchased in a boutique for crazy money, was made by the wearer who must be the most talented artist in the world, or she had hit it very lucky at the garage sale of a millionaire with fabulous taste and money to burn.
   
   Since I couldn't help but stop and ask her, I found out that none of my assumptions were actually true. The lady had purchased this very book, followed directions and added on some interesting twists and turns of her own, using some upholstery fabric suggesting museum-quality (to my eye) and lined it with satin.
   
   That lady's tote bag was utterly drop-dead amazing. I tracked down this book on Amazon and will soon begin the museum-quality tote bag of my own dreams.
   
   Heavenly Handmade Bags: Over 25 Designs to Stitch, Knit, Embroider & Embellish by Sue Hawkins is the key to become that woman with the purse that everyone admires!



4. This is the first how make a handbag book that I purchased. I based the buy on sight unseen and on the good reviews on Amazon. Well, the reviews at the lowerer end are much more accurate. I call this book boring and mostly useless. The designs are not contemporary and the bags all look homemade. Sorry, but for the price of this book, I suggest buying a better resource book that has some substance to it. Anyonw know such a handbag book? I am looking for the best one.

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

5 comments about Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1: Undergarments, Bodices, Skirts, Overskirts, Polonaises, and Day Dresses 1877-1882.

1. The pictures and descriptions within the book are an excellent reference if you are researching and intending on recreating one of these beautiful designs. Advanced knowledge of sewing skills is a must for those who wish to recreate these (definantly not for the novice sewer). Frances Grimble, you've done it again. Please keep them coming. I will buy every book you put out.



2. This book contains patterns for the following:
   corsets, hoopskirts and bustles (some)
   underclothing and negligee wear (quite a few)
   day and evening skirts (only about four)
   day bodices (quite a few)
   evening bodices (some)
   overskirts (some)
   polonaises (some)
   day dresses (quite a few)
   
   some = around ten
   quite a few = over 20
   
   I would recommend this book for anyone who likes victorian costuming. It not only works as a pattern book, but as a source book, having lots of pictures you can use for reference. Even if you just look through it, it really can help you understand the styles of that era.



3. This book is wonderful. I believe I own every book Frances Grimble has written and anxiously await more. The variety of patterns is amazing and allows the experienced sewer to create their own designs from various components, like sleeves and collars. This sure beats trying to decipher the patterns in an original 1890's issue of Harpers!



4. This is a great book for seamstresses with some experience(I think it would be too hard for beginners.It would be good if you have some comprehenesion on sizing(drafting patterns yourself for example)but that isn't even necessary.I think it would be easier though:)
   
   Frances Grimble gives clear instructions for changing patterns to size and even to different body shapes(large bust, short back etc.
   You do need to take some time for this, but well, you'll have an authentic pattern in your hands, how great is that?;)And there are so many in this book! I was having a very hard time finding real historical patterns in The Netherlands(so far found one french journal from 1902)and I feel like a kid in a candystore now.:)I <3 this book already.
   
   You can make a complete outfit, from undergarments to overgarments.
   
   If you have some sewing experience and you love this period it is really a great book!
   
   
   
   Amazon's service is excellent too. It didn't take very long for the item to arrive(from US to the Netherlands)(with one step faster shipping, expidited?)it was even a lot faster then the estimated arrival time.



5. I am very pleased with this book and I think it gives a load of information for a very reasonable price.
   
   The book (together with vol.2) is overfilled with all kinds of garments you can imagine and for each sort of garment there are always many styles.
   
   It is not directly a drafting book, it does not tell you how to draft your own bodice etc. by using your measurements, but the method of using the patterns and the enlarging rulers is very close to that and, as I think, it might produce a very good substitution for a custom-drafted dress with saving a lot of your time and being very simple to do. It is something between custom drafting and pre-sized patterns, because you create the garments by using your bust and back length measurement, which are the two most important measurements for making a garment suited to your proportions and it will probably need only little easy modifications like adding/substracting from waist and hip width and maybe some changes for the front length. But all possible and most frequent modifications are very well explained in the book.
   
   It is all written in such a way that even with no or little knowledge of drafting, you'll be able to produce a probably very well fitted garments.
   
   For a drafting professional, it's a good help when doing things like skirts, especially draped overskirts and all garments creating a shape or silhouette that is hard to figure out. Even if you won't use the patterns for enlarging and draft the things yourself, you can very well keep to the shape of the patterns as you can see, unlike in so many pattern books, NUMBERS.
   
   I think this book has the best ratio of the price and the information given of all costume book I've come through. It's a pity that there are no such books for earlier periods:-(

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