2 comments about Fitting Your Figure (Threads On).

1. As always, Threads has done it!! This book is full of wonderful ideas, information, and how to do things. Do you have a dress form that does not look like your body? This book offers information and instructions on how to pad the dress form to your size and shape!!! It discusses finding your flattering skirt length, collar choice, turning darts into pleats and much more. This is a book to keep. The information is timeless and even includes some pattern grading information. I would suggest another book (Fitting and Pattern Alteration, for example) for more detailed alteration methods. This book, however, is a treasure. It also discusses altering ready to wear items (waistbands, mostly). It has excellent photographs, instructions, and is easy to read. It is worth every penny!!



2. I don't own this book YET, but I sure plan to! I borrowed it from the library, and it is marvelous! It's got instructions on how to fit your figure, how to fit a sloper, how to pad a dressform, what colors and skirt lengths are good for your shape, and much more. I'd say experienced or not, great book to have in your library.

No comments about Drills Taps and Dies (Workshop Practice Series Number 12) (Workshop Practice Series Number 12) (Workshop Practice Series Number 12) (Workshop Practice Series Number 12).

3 comments about Raising Smart Kids for Dummies.

1. I am impressed by the amount of well-researched advice and information contained within this one book. If I read nothing about raising smart kids but this book, I think I'll do quite well. [By the way, I am usually not fond of the "Dummies" and "Idiot's" series. However, this book has made me re-think that opinion!]



2. This book was exactly what I was looking for. Ideas are broken into age appropriate sections which is very handy. Author doesn't assume that parents have endless funds to spend on resources and doesn't push a particular style of education. Tips are innovative and practical.



3. Love the book. Easy to read with plenty of ideas that I appreciate. Many of them are common sense things that are easy to follow.

2 comments about 10-- Minute Housekeeping: Hundreds of Easy Tips to Clean and Straighten Every Room of Your House --- Even When You Don't Have Time.

1. I really liked this little book! Right off, the author assures us that she was completely like the rest of us who have a million responsibilities and never have time to clean, who have coffee mugs piling up on their nightstand, and whose family has to steal or fight for clean socks in the morning. The fact that these tips weren't coming from some cleaning guru fanatic was comforting. The format and style is easy to read, like a girlfriend sharing housekeeping secrets and very much to the point. I could easily pick the book up at any time and read a number of tips in a minute or two. There are several helpful tips on using common household products (vinegar, fabric softener sheets, etc.) as well as time-saving shortcuts to get the job done.
   
   What I most enjoyed was how the author wanted you to know that it's okay if you don't have time to clean the entire house (or room for that matter) or if you don't have the right cleaning supplies for a particular job, do what you can when you can and work with what you've got! Just do the 10 minutes! As soon as I started reading this book, I applied the principals to my horrifically and perpetually messy house and had it looking clean and organized within 3 days (HUGE feat in my house and might I add, in 10 min increments)! Before I even finished the book!
   
   If you've got a handle on cleaning and are looking to learn some new tricks, this book has some of those. But if you're like me and can't seem to get a grip on your housekeeping, then I'd have to say this book is excellent!!



2. This book is filled with tips. It does not tell you step-by-step how to get a room clean, as does so well the magnificent "Speed Cleaning" by professional cleaner Jeff Cambell. So, as a companion to Speed Cleaning, 10-minute Housekeeping is like the frosting to the cake (the cake being Speed Cleaning).
   
   It takles specific problems: pleated lampshades (baby hairbrush), inside of microwave (water with white vinegar on high setting), stainless steel appliences (waterless hand sanitizer), and many more. I found about 10 tips to be usefull to me.
   
   But, since what I needed was a detailed plan of speedy weekly cleaning, I give this book only 3 stars. Its a good book to have once you have the basics down.

4 comments about Homemaking As a Social Art: Creating a Home for Body, Soul & Spirit.

1. Veronica Van Duin has done us all a huge favor by drawing on deep and timeless principles to forge a handbook to use in making family life work today. I am a single dad with grown children and have found out, they never really leave the nest (thank God) but they do come back home with some deeply challenging problems for "us" to confront. "Homemaking As A Social Art" helped me come to realize that "family" is not something you learn about, it is an ongoing growth process that you are going to be involved in all of your life and Veronika has distilled her own experiences and the wisdom of Rudolph Steiner down into a really usable book that makes you glow with the opportunity inherent in family living. Before "Homemaking As A Social Art" all I had to draw on was some Christian literature (Family Home Evenings) from the Mormons ( Great stuff) and Stephen Covey's book
   The 7 Habits Of Highly Successful Families (A great book by the way)
   This book is even better. Get it and you and your family will be happier and for the rest of your life you will be discover new ways to add meaning and deep enjoyment to your lives.



2. I had high hopes for this book. I agree with the author that homemaking needs to be "undertaken as a honored and valued task" and that what previous generations of homemakers knew by instinct is no longer instinctual to homemakers today. She goes on to state that we (modern homemakers) have "the right to expect knowledge to become the basis of what we do..."
   
   Unfortunately, she does not go on to offer up any practical advice. Instead she rambles on for pages on her observations and principles. In her chapter concerning the Artistic Environment she informs us that bringing art into the home makes it warmer and more personalized. Are we really so out of touch that we don't know that already? Or the chapter on rhythm, which tells you that you should have a rhythm that is not too routine. How do you establish that rhythm? Oh,,,just wait and it will come to you, like a newborn's breathing pattern.
   
   Bottom line? Check out Amazon .uk where you can preview the 6 pages of the book. Pay attention to the section on spirituality near the end of the preview; that is what the majority of the book is like.



3. I didn't find this book helpful at all. The author talks of general prinicples and things like always having fresh flowers on the dinner table. Nice, but not everyone can afford to do this. Nowhere does she give any real information about how to implement her principles, which is my pet peeve about these kinds of books. That's nice that these things are generally outlined, but what next? There has to be a happy medium between of "high ideals outline" and "how-to", this book never gets close.



4. This book really dealt with the importance of the art of homemaking being taken more seriously in our time. The author sends a reminder that the home is still very much the first line of defense for almost every societal issue that we deal with. We are either weakened or strengthened by our own home experience. Since the whole person, spiritual, physical, and emotional, resides in a home, we must pay attention to developing all facets in an enriching and honorable manner. I'd recommend this to anyone who is getting married, newly married, starting a family or just needing some additional insight into the family they already have.

No comments about Classic Kitchens.

3 comments about Practical Parenting for the 21st Century: The Manual You Wish Had Come With Your Child.

1. Excellent book to learn how to communicate with your child without resorting to the standard "NO". If you are really trying to teach our child something but the only words that come to mind are "NO" and "Don't", this book is a must.



2. I first read this book long before becoming pregnant, and again now that I am the mother of an almost two year old. I thought it was the best parenting book around both times. The basic premises of respect for our children and consistency in our actions are very sound principles of postitive parenting. The book is easy to read, filled with practical examples and much appreciated honesty from the author about her own successes and failures in parenting. I am buying a copy this year for all my friends who struggle, as we all do, to be the best parents we can be.



3. I found this book to be exceptional - its an easy read, and provides strategies for disciplining children in a way that lets them feel as if have some degree of control. I like that it emphasizes respecting your child, and eliminates the need to yell, rely on time outs, etc. I've been practicing a few of the techniques (and it does take practice!) and have already seen a positive response.

5 comments about Easy Guide to Sewing Tops and T-Shirts: Sewing Companion Library (Easy Guide).

1. I am short, full busted, round and no longer have a perky body. I bought the book because I make a lot of tee shirts and have problems fitting. Marcy does a thorough job of teaching us how to construct and alter our garments. Often the front of my shirt rides up because of my bust size. Marcy shares the tip of cutting across the front of the pattern at the bust point and adding an inch to accomodate the full bust. This extra space gets eased into the side seam at the bust point and my tee shirts no longer ride up in the front. She also gives detailed explanations and pictures on how to alter all parts of the pattern. This is now a book I refer to often when starting to work with a new pattern. Thank you, Marcy for sharing your sewing knowledge with us.



2. If you want to improve your results, this is the book to buy.
   Easy to understand and will be a good reference.
   I'm glad I bought it.



3. I am enjoying this book very much. The author is a well known sewing teacher and fitter. She explains every step in choosing the fabric, fitting
   the pattern, cutting & finishing the garment. Also, ways to change the
   top with decorative stitching etc. Very well presented and full of color
   photos. I would recommend this to anyone who makes & wears T-shirts and tops.



4. The author has a clear writing style, provides clear and helpful illustrations and not only summarizes critical procedures, but gives some fine-tuned tips and tricks on established techniques that are necessary to produce quality, professional-looking results. Avoid the Heidi Klume "it looks home sewn" assessment, and apply the techniques learned from this book to any kind of top, blouse, or project. It's not just for t-shirts.
   
   Shortly before this book was published, the author appeared on Sandra Betzina's "Sew Perfect" show (former show on HGTV) to discuss how to create bias-cut garments, pattern layout issues, and fabric recommendations (like a forgiving linen). Many of those tips are in this book.



5. I was expecting a valuable guide to making tees and other tops when I bought this, but it doesn't contain much that isn't in other sewing books. It provides instruction on such things as how to select a pattern and using clear elastic ensure a close-fitting neckline, which are things an experienced sewer would already know. The illustrations are good, but otherwise it's pretty unhelpful. It might be a good reference for a beginning sewer, but I find myself rarely reaching for it for guidance in constructing tops.

5 comments about Hannah's Art of Home: Managing Your Home Around Your Personality (Capital Lifestyles).

1. This book looks at homemaking with new eyes. Rather than approaching it as a chore, Hannah Keeley uses her background in Psychology and her love of homemaking to inspire and organize the daily household routines to compliment your personality. She focuses on how your personality affects your home environment and takes homemaking to a realistic, fun, and energetic place. Take a moment to determine your homemaking personality and see how to find time to enjoy the rest of your life.



2. Written by the publisher of "HK Magazine", an online magazine geared toward families, Hannah's Art Of Home: Managing Your Home Around Your Personality is a straightforward guide to organizing and decorating a home that suits one's personality tastes. From learning how to de-clutter chaos, to top techniques for keeping things clean with less effort, to decoration formulas for success and more, Hannah's Art Of Home is filled cover to cover with tips, tricks, and techniques to make one's domain appropriate for one's spirit and family. Highly recommended.



3. Ok, I confess. I am not a natural housekeeper. In fact, I do everything I can to avoid all things homemaking as long as I can.
   
   I'm getting better, but I'm still struggling. My dream is to hire a housekeeper/cook - sort of like "Alice" from the Brady bunch - remember her?
   
   Well, if you're like me, and can't afford an Alice, this is the book for you. It's very practical, and laugh-out-loud-funny (just ask my teenage son who was startled and embarrassed by a loud guffaw bursting from his mother in the waiting room at the dentist's last week!)
   
   Darlene Hull
   the Mom-Defrazzler



4. One of the best books I have purchased. Gives you direction and instruction right away. Hannah has a great sense of humor and is very insightful. You can start applying it to your crazy life the very same day. Excellent buy. Be sure to get one for you and one to loan out to friends because you will be telling everyone you know about it!



5. Hannah's Art of the Home doesn't break any new ground. Clutter is bad and organization is good. We all know that. But what I like about this book is her warm, funny and genuine writing style. She doesn't strive for (or even want) perfection - from herself or her readers. She doesn't make me feel bad for not having a home out of House and Garden. Hannah breaks down personality types and gives methods and advice to help each category develop the home that is truly a Home for them. What works for Creative Spirits won't necessarily work as well for Mother Hen types. Again, not rocket science, but presented well.
   
   Hannah's anecdotes about her own life are amusing and inspiring. She operates a business, has six kids (which she homeschools) and manages her home. She doesn't come across as a guru but more like a friend you could ask for advice without feeling embarrassed.
   
   For those of us with clutter issues, Hannah's book is worth checking out.

1 comments about ChildStyle: Decorating Ideas & Projects for Kids' Rooms (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. I like this book, but I don't think it is the best between the "decore-it-yourself" books, because most of the projects are a bit complicated to be done without the help of a good carpenter or painter. Fabric-projects are very original and easy-to-make.