1 comments about Making Flower Children.

1. This book is exelent for the ones who want to use craft felt to make the dolls, because not everyone has time and patience to make the felt dresses...
   It's very good to work with childreen!!!

1 comments about 101 Projects for Your Model Railroad (101 Projects).

1. I just received this book and was really looking forward to a lot of different projects. I was disappointed that some of the projects in this book were slight variations of each other, and in fact there was one project for HO and larger scale immediately followed by the exact same project in N scale.
   
   Overall there is a lot of good information - but I wouldn't total them to be 101

2 comments about Knitted and Felted Toys: 26 Easy-to-Knit Patterns for Adorable Toys.

1. The toys are cute but involve lots of pieces to sew together as everything is knit that way, in pieces and back and forth. The 13 felted toys require either machine felting or hand felting and in those cases it can take up to half an hour working in boiling hot water. Ugh. Not for me. Also the felted toys require pure 100% wool or alpaca that is not superwashed. For my granddaughter I use acrylic or cotton in preference but they can't be felted. The good news is that the nicest cutest toys are the ones that aren't felted. Also, if you're an experienced knitter, you can change the directions to suit yourself which in fact is suggested by the author. The pure wool yarns are J&S and of course Rowan which means expensive. Instructions are thorough with good color illustrations. I may update this review after I've made something. 3 stars only because only half the toys are unfelted and the author doesn't give any ideas for doing them any other way.



2. The toys in the book are cute. There are boy dolls and many toy books ignore the boys when it comes to more than stuffed animals. I love the pirate and cowboy. There a lots of little pieces to sew, but this is the nature of knitting toys. I've done my share and these are no more complicated. There is also a surprisingly simple and adorable Topsy Turvy Cinderella doll, a unicorn and a mermaid! I've never felted a toy but there are some in here to require felting as the title indicates. I think this is worth a look if you enjoy knitting toys.

5 comments about Sewing & Sculpting Dolls: Easy-To-Make Dolls from Fabric, Modeling Paste, and Polymer Clay.

1. I have the author's other book on dolls,which is also excellent. What the author shows is that using one simple to construct cloth doll body you can make literally thousands of different style dolls, by simply sewing/adding joints, lengthing patterns, changing outfit, hair, etc...
   beautiful photos of dolls for play or show; simple face designs take headache out of creating the doll.
   
   Also shows how to "deconstruct" old clothes to make new clothes for the dolls-very imaginative. This book also goes into using clay-but with a beginner in mind. I definitely recommend!



2. I'm new to doll making. I am enjoying this book. I also recommend a doll book for fun reading, Dolls Aren't Just for Kids.



3. Just received this book today and I can't put it down! The book is the most complete how-to book I have ever seen. Eloise has put the book together from beginner to advanced with a lot of thought for the inexperienced doll-maker. Every aspect of doll-making is completely covered and I would highly recommend this book to anyone !



4. Wow! I had no idea one may create dolls in so many various ways! Eloise Piper teaches fabric, modeling paste, and polymer clay doll-making with patterns included in her book. She includes plain Amish children, fancy dolls, wig creating, sculpting facial features, decorating and dressing the doll. She even includes patterns for their tiny clothing! She gives embellishment ideas as well. Furthermore, Eloise has a very delightful style of writing that brings her dolls to life! I greatly enjoy authors like Eloise who present their art in a down-to-earth and humorous fashion. Not only does one enjoy creating the dolls and their adorable wardrobes, but one may count on a chuckle or two from Eloise's light-hearted humor.

   This book is a keeper for those who are looking for resources which address the multiple and various techniques of creating dolls.

   Happy doll making!




5. After buying Ms Piper's Batik book, I found she had written this wonderful book on dolls. I gave it to all my nieces for Christmas and I got so many thanks. Everyone loved this book!! The processes outlined are so creative, not copy-cat. The photographs are glorious. My family is now planning a reunion to visit the Kansas City Doll and Miniature museum so we can see this amazing woman's work.

No comments about Classic Cloth Dolls: Beautiful Fabric Dolls and Clothes from the Vogue Patterns Collection.

1 comments about Ready-to-Use Dollhouse Stained Glass Windows for Hand Coloring.

1. Ed Sibbett has provided useful and "ready to use" stained glass designs for any miniaturist working in 1:12 scale dollhouses or room boxes. This book includes designs for windows; over the door transoms; and sidelights for either side of doors. It also includes stained glass designs in circular and other shapes, which is a welcome addition to many heirloom dollhouses.

   There are a variety of different designs and most of the designs could be useful in a victorian or modern setting.

   Because of the diversity of the designs, the different shaped "windows" and their appeal for both modern and victorian periods this book has been an useful addition to my 1:12 scale miniature library.

No comments about How to Build Sci-Fi Model Spacecraft.

5 comments about Knitted Babes: Five Dolls & Their Wardrobes to Knit & Stitch.

1. I love this book, I have been working very hard putting things together for my two little girls, BUT a lot of the instructions haven't worked for me. I have had to improvise a lot. After my girls play with them all the stuffing goes up to their head and down to their bodies, leaving the neck completely floppy, and from reading other reviews I should have checked my gauge, because following the instructions as written everything has come out too small.
   
   After all that, I have to say my girls love the dolls and it was a blast making them.



2. When this book arrived, all other projects were pushed aside! the instuctions and patterns are easy to understand and the knitted clothing patterns are a good introduction to constructing people sized garments. The reason I gave the book four instead of five stars is the gauge issue mentioned by several others. I am not quite sure if this is due to the fact I am a very tight knitter or the book. It wasn't that huge an issue, I will use this book alot and I'm sure you will too.



3. The pleasure is all yours! Published September, 2005 Knitted Babes: Five Dolls & Their Wardrobes to Knit & Stitch by Claire Garland is an invitation to a modish doll party. Bring your eccentric yarns and retro fabric scraps. This is the place for orange and pink marshmallow creations. Knit up the Babes then outfit them as you choose -- surfer girl or glitzy diva, whoever takes your fancy. Make a Babe, and you'll want more. Here are my variations for fervent fingers:
   
   The Babes: Dot Pebbles surf chick; Flo Tilly delicate dancer; DD Diva in desirable Deco; Rudy Ranch red-haired Western wild country girl; Bunny Bright café bar star.
   
   1. The arms and legs can be worked in i-cord, though the original knitted strips are softer if your doll is to be love-squashed by a little one. Finish the i-cord with four rows of straight stocking stitch to enable flat stitching to body shape.
   
   2. Experienced knitters may prefer to knit the body/head piece in the round. Cast on with waste yarn (or crochet a scrap chain a few more chains than required, then knit up stitches into back bumps of chain. Release chain later when sliding stitches onto needle for cast off.). When doll is completed, leave final stitches for head on a yarn holder, turn inside out, working a 3-needle cast (bind) off across base. Pull through to right side. Stuff doll through small head opening and finish ends.
   
   3. The book instructions are for 4ply yarn, but that's only the beginning. Dye natural wool with plant dyes. Perhaps use handspun or tweed wool; or since only a 50g ball is required, use a luxury fibre (silk, alpaca, cashmere) for a chic Babe.
   
   4. After making a few Retro Babes, you might want to add to your collection with Vintage Babes. Style her wardrobe, adding highlights of violet, pearl, mauve, rosebud, pansy and spring greens. Freshwater pearls (where jewellery packs are sold) make sweet necklaces strung on a length of crochet perle cotton. Cocktail hats can be fashioned from felt, netting, feathers, beads and miniature silk flowers. Sift through broken brooches, bracelets, earrings and necklaces for deft jewels and metal filigree.
   
   5. The clothing patterns given in the book are knitted or sewn. Imagine designing crochet creations for her as well. Begin with an evening shawl or textured blanket for Ruby cowgirl. Diva Babe will thank you for snips of pure silk satin, cotton net and silk georgette.
   
   6. Observe safety rules if the doll is a gift for a small child. If this is your Babe... try out jewellery-making on a manageable scale or accentuate clothing and hats with glass beads. Excite yourself with a new craft, letting Babe model your embroidery, cross-stitch or millinery techniques. Fabric shops are stocking up on retro and vintage prints. Dive in!
   
   Buy the book and have some fun! Vibrant photos, comprehensible instructions and bright knitting charts for fair-isle colourwork. No confusion here. Anyone can create a starlet Babe. (Yes, the neck is floppy, but she is a saucy cuddle and bedtime friend).



4. There's been a lot in the media about how dolls such as Barbie and the Bratz are too "grown up" and are causing little girls to grow up too quickly. The dolls, whose patterns are provided in this book, would be a perfect alternative for someone wanting to provide their child with a more traditional type of doll. This book provides the pattern for a standard doll (pictured on the cover), which can be made in colors to match the coloring of your child (the main reason why I hated Barbie as a child was because she didn't look a thing like me), and a wide range of clothing and accessories for this doll. Be aware that, although the title suggests that the items in this book are knitted, in fact, a large proportion (around 50%) of the clothes and accessories are sewn.
   
   The patterns in this book are straight forward and easy to follow (although, I would say that they would be too complicated for a child to make for herself). Most are made in stocking stitch and few involve more complicated techniques, such as intarsia. A set of illustrated instructions on the basic knitting techniques are provided at the front of the book, although in my opinion the illustrations could be a bit clearer. Still, that is a small point, since these such instructions can easily be found in many places on the internet.
   
   I strongly recommend this book to any knitters with young daughters but also to knitters looking for something fun to make for themselves. The more I look at this book, the more I find myself falling in love with these "knitted babes" and I think that they would make great presents for my (adult) friends too.



5. My mother and I each made one of these dolls for my then 6 year old daughter.
   She has had them for over a year and plays with them all the time. I think in these days of mass production it can really make a child feel loved to have something made just for them. She has so much fun with these dolls and unlike her barbie's they have been given names and have there own personalities. They are more like companions than toys.
   These dolls are charming and so fun to make. I actually knit them in the round and it goes so much faster.
   My son loves them too so I am thrilled to see she has made a second book with patterns for a boy doll. My mom is making him the pirate for Xmas.

4 comments about Dollmaking for the first time (For The First Time).

1. This is a beautiful book filled with photos, clear instructions and inspiration for making a personable first doll. Instructions guide one through the basics of making the dolls presented and the skills needed to move beyond. The range of dolls presented provides a jumping-off point for creatively making a doll of your own. I have dipped my fingers into doll-making for a long time but after reading this book, I am ready!



2. This book is a thorough course in the basics of doll-making. I do think the title is a bit broad, since this covers the folk style of doll-making exclusively. The instructions and color photos are excellent.
   
   The Doll Making Basics section is almost a complete course in itself. The techniques are general in nature, and could be used in designing your own dolls. Almost every page has multiple color photos that are very helpful. The directions for making a cloth doll illustrate in detail how to sculpt fingers, toes and faces. Next, the basics of making a wooden doll are shown. Hairdos, clothing, shoes and embellishments round out this section.
   
   The crafts skills that you will use the most are sewing (hand and machine) and decorative painting. A big heaping of creativity and personality help out, too.
   
   The projects are arranged in order of difficulty, and each doll is designed to teach a different aspect of doll-making -- using patterns, mixing wood & cloth, sculpting faces, adding a beard, making an ornament, painting methods, and more.
   
   Due to the clear instructions and photos, and the emphasis on learning new crafts techniques, this is a reference book that you can use again and again. It's a great example of how craft techniques should be taught.



3. These dolls are not my style, but the lessons are good and progressive. I will apply them to other types of dolls. She even shows you how to make your own shoes to fit any dolls. One tip that she gives I disagree with; she makes fingered dolls by placing a folded pipe cleaner in each finger, which makes the hands look elongated. A more natural hand is made by making the hand then using hand stitches on the outside.



4. Doll making has been a creative passion of mine for years. This book gives many examples of different dolls to make. If you love doll making for yourself or for a gift you'll enjoy this book.

1 comments about Madame Alexander 2008 Collector's Dolls Price Guide #33 (Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls Price Guide).

1. The 2008 price guide to Madame Alexander dolls updates information with the latest values, offering the information along with small color photos and an organization by type of doll, then maker name. While casual readers may find it doesn't hold the photo-packed identification value of other Madame Alexander doll books, it's not intended for identification but as a reference providing the latest values, which do change immensely: any serious doll collector's library needs this.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch