Reviews (2)

Excellent reference - but a work in progress
I have been using this book since this edition was published.It is an excellent compilation of summary information about makers of Native American jewelry and other collectible wares.I expect that thishas - to this point - only about one-third or one-half of the people listed who make jewelry.I annotate mine with added marks for unlisted jewelry makers, together with summary information on them.When I can, I ask the artisan to autograph the book, preferably near the added information.

Hallmarks of the Southwest
This book is an excellent reference to anyone who collects or sells Native American Jewelry. It shows the mark of the well know artists in Native American silver jewelry. The Navajo , Hopi , Zuni Indians are all included in this book. Very detailed, I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. General    5. Hallmarks    6. Indian art    7. Indian silverwork    8. Southwest, New    9. Textiles & Costume    10. Antiques & Collectables    11. Base metal & ironworking   

Editorial Review

To take something as ordinary as wire and present it as a trueart form is an amazing achievement, and this book does exactly that.According to Suzanne Slesin, the story of wire as a component of usefuland decorative household objects began in Slovakia in the 17th century,where tinkers used thin strands of iron to repair household pottery.The art of wirework flourished and traveled throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the next century, becoming highly developed andquite popular by the end of the 1800s; utilitarian objects such asbaskets, bottle racks, serving dishes, plant stands, trivets, andbirdcages were both made of and embellished with wire. Sadly, wireornamentation as a decorative art is mainly a thing of the past, butbecause these objects are so sturdy, they can often be purchased asantiques. The book has a long directory of European and Americansources for wirework. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Comprehensive historical and technical book
As an artist and metal worker, I've found this book comprehensive. Great illustrations and historical documents. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. General    6. Interior Design    7. Metal Arts And Crafts    8. Textiles & Costume    9. Wire craft    10. Wire in interior decoration    11. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    12. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    13. Decorative arts & crafts    14. Home furnishing & decoration    15. Metals technology / metallurgy   

Reviews (2)

Good starting point
I have to disagree with the previous poster. The book doesn't try to discourage the reader from getting into the retail business, it just points out that the retail business is a risky one that may not turn a profit for years. This book gives some helpful advice for would-be retailers as well as established ones, and also points you in the direction of some associations that can help (i.e., S.C.O.R.E. ). I definately reccomend it.

Completely discouraging
I bought this book hoping to get ideas of what to do and what to expect but instead all i got was discouraged and upset,
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Clothing trade    4. Industries - Retailing    5. Management    6. New business enterprises    7. Operations Research    8. Small Business - General    9. Small Business/Entrepreneurship    10. Stores, Retail    11. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    12. Business & Economics / Entrepreneurship    13. Entrepreneurship    14. Retail sector   

Reviews (4)

Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort
My copy of "The Apron Book" just arrived. I could hardly wait to sit down with a cup of coffee and get lost in an era that seems so long ago, but so close to heart. Earlier in the year, I attend "The Apron Chronicles" a traveling exhibit of aprons and their stories, told by EllynAnne herself! The exhibit was amazing! Aprons do have a voice and they're heard throughout the pages of "The Apron Book". In "The Apron Book" Geisel has done an extraordinary job bringing the aprons to life. Each apron pictured has a heartwarming story filled with love that only an apron could tell. They come to life and it is as if you're there. The tidbits of info scattered throughout the book from what to do about over salted soup to the perfect pocket placement on an apron are a delight. I can't sew a stitch but I've read every pattern in the book! Thanks EllynAnne

apron lover
I loved the colorful mix of worn aprons in my mother's kitchen drawer and I'd give anything to have one wrapped around my waist right now. Unfortunately, those aprons are long gone, but as I hoped, THE APRON BOOK brings me right back to the wonderful memories I associate with the aprons ofmy childhood.
DIY Cover Up
I too eagerly anticipated reading this book, since I went through an apron-sewing blitz this summer. I was a bit disappointed, however. Although the photos and instructions are helpful (for seamsters more accomplished than myself), the tone of the book is reactionary, with negative statements about working mothers and a lot of nostalgia for the Ozzie and Harriet era. Although Geisel celebrates the rebirth of the domestic arts, she praises the home-as-nest (enclave of traditional domesticity) rather than the house-as-studio (a DIY workshop involving every member in open-ended acts of engagement with economy, history, and culture.) Still, there's some interesting history and some great photos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Beauty & Grooming - Apparel Guides    4. Fashion & Grooming    5. Popular Culture    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Textile Fabrics    8. Textiles & Costume    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Kitchenware    10. Handicrafts   

Reviews (1)

Great Transaction!
the book was in good condition and shipped quickly! thanks for a great experiance! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Careers - General    5. Clothing and dress    6. Consumer Behavior - General    7. Consumer behavior    8. Consumers' preferences    9. Fashion merchandising    10. Marketing    11. Social Psychology    12. Art / Design / General    13. Consumer issues    14. Fashion & beauty industries    15. Social, group or collective psychology   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Clothing trade    4. Fashion    5. Industries - Retailing    6. Production & Operations Management    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Fashion & beauty industries   

Reviews (2)

Absolutely breathtaking
I bought this book while visiting Williamsburg with a friend.It so captured my attention that I had to read some of the stories to my companion.We were both quickly enthralled.I brought it back with me and introduced my quilting group to it.Several more copies sold the next day.The stories are heart warming.The photographs are incredible. Humane & understanding
This book is superb & worth the extra effort to special order it. The author interviews women (and a few men) of Southern Appalachia, where quilting as a mainstay of life has never really gone out of fashion --hence they've never had a quilting "revival" either. Photographsare gorgeous, and the stories about the people make you feel rooted to theland. One of the more intriguing stories is the "HangingElephant" quilt, which shows an applique block of an elephant beinghung for the crime of killing a Tennessee man in 1916. The book is printedon heavy, high quality paper. Quilt history buffs and anthropologists willlove this book. As for hobbyists, it's not a how-to book, but thephotographs will furnish much inspiration and food for thought. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Appalachians (People)    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. History    6. Quilts    7. Quilts & Quilting    8. Tennessee    9. Textiles & Costume    10. Needlecraft art (eg lace, quilts, etc as art objects)   

Reviews (13)

The End Of fashion
Difficult to give a review as I bought the book as a gift and do not expect any feedback as i bought it for a xmas gift!

Highly recommended for those interested in fashion
Teri Agins manages to write about fashion with authority and fluency and with no superfluous over the top 'fluff'. Although some bits may seem a bit too technical and not of much interest to some, overall it is a very well written and sophisticated piece of work about the workings of the fashion industry. After reading this book it is hard to look at clothes the same way again! For me at least, it really changed my perspective on the idea of fashion in an enlightening way, though it did strip away some of its glamour.
Names, Names, Names, dahling
I'm glad that I finally got the book after seeing Teri on the Oprah show and the Metro Channel. Her reporting genius and years of experience show as she single-handedly unveils this industry which too often tends to believe its own hype. It was especially interesting to read her accounts of the ways in which the homogenization of large American retail stores has bolstered designers' marketing and branding efforts and subsequently, and ironically, led to the death of fashion. This read was especially timely as I watch my hip trendy New Yorker friends spending $200 on banal denim pants in assorted hues. My only regret is that Teri never once conceded that designers are artists; her approach was strictly business and on those terms this book is brilliant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Clothing and dress    5. Clothing trade    6. Fashion    7. Industries - General    8. Marketing    9. Marketing - General    10. Business & Economics / General    11. Fashion & beauty industries    12. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    4. Technology & Industrial Arts    5. Textiles & Costume    6. Antique furniture   

Reviews (3)

At Long Last!
What a wonderful surprise I had as I reviewed the vintage tablecloths and were so happy to see so many of my Dad's designs and also see that he was mentioned in many of them.This is the first book I have that recognizes John Madsen as the designer and holder of some patents (which I never knew about).My sister, brother and I have enjoyed the thrill of looking and purchasing his tablecloths and have a nice selection - many of which we remember seeing him work on.This book has helped us so much in recognizing his work and learning more about Wilendure who he worked for.We thank Yvonne Barineau for providing this information in our search.The pictures are clear, and the information provided is wonderful.Thank you.......Sue Nilsen

Love this book!
Finally, a book based on facts and not "educated" guesses.A wonderful reference guide with beautiful pictures of tablecloths that are to die for.This book has helped me identify many cloths in my own collection and get an idea of their true value.Great work!

FINALLY...A Top Rate Guide for Print Tablecloth Lovers!!!!
I was so thrilled when this book arrived to see not only BEAUTIFUL color photos, but accurate facts.The manufacturer section is the most concrete information yet published...it was a huge help in dating my own collection.And did I mention the GORGEOUS pictures????This book is tops! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Textiles & Costume    4. Antiques & Collectables    5. Antiques & collectables: carpets, rugs & textiles   

Reviews (5)

It is what is says.. a DESIGNING book
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU ALSO BUY " HOW TO DRAFT BASIC PATTERNS" BY THE SAME AUTHORS. This book is good because it teaches how to use the basic "slopers" (basic patterns)and manipulate them to create OTHER design styles. IT DOES NOT, however, describe in detail how to developthe basic sloper patterns. It skims over that part, showing only brief pictures and giving basic information about the basic slopers and assumes that you already have theslopers to create new flat pattern designs. "How to Draft Basic Patterns" is the companion book that gives detailed instructions( -almost tootediously detailed insturction...) on how to develop the basic sloper patterns. I personally think they made us design students buy these two books in school because it was a chance to cash in on students buying two textbooks for class. The authors could have put all the info of both books into one book- EASILY!!If you want a good ALL IN ONE book that teaches both basic sloper development and design style creation with the flat pattern, one which is also fairly easy toread and "get through" in order to develop your patterns, try the flat pattern written book by Helen Joseph Armstrong.

This is very good book
I'm a fashion design student and this book for is Designing Apparel through the Flat Pattern
you have no content list for the book. it is very neccessory and helpful to have a content list for each and every book. I can't make a buying decision without knowing what the book is talking about. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Clothing Design    3. Commercial - Fashion Design    4. Dressmaking    5. Fashion design    6. Pattern design    7. Patterns    8. Reference    9. Drawing & drawings    10. Needlecraft art (eg lace, quilts, etc as art objects)   

Reviews (4)

Costume Design in the Movies: An illistrated guide to the work of 157 great designers
I love fashion & many great designs were done by the designers for the old movie studios. It was interesting reading about how designers came up with ideas of an outfit to cover flaws or accent a movie star (i.e. Barbara Stanwycks low butt, Crawfords shoulder pads).

Fantastic Book For Classic Movie Lovers
One of my favorite things about watching classic films is seeing all the amazing fashions! This book is a great collection of photos of classic stars wearing classic costumes. Lots of stars are in here including Bette Davis, Norma Shearer, Carole Landis, Lana Turner, Joan Crawford, and Irene Dunne. You will learn who designed each outfit and there is a little biographical information about the designers too.

Simply fabulous!
I am a costume designer and have had this book in my research collection for about 10 years.It is one of my top favorites.I have turned to this book for inspiration countless times. They just don't make clothing like this anymore!The hair and makeup styles are also well represented. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Costume    3. Design - Textile & Costume    4. Fashion design    5. Fashion designers    6. Film & Video - History & Criticism    7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    8. Textiles & Costume    9. Performing Arts / General   

Reviews (13)

Three Decades is a Long Time Span
I purchased this book mostly to help date vintage fabrics from the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's and 1960's.I love the spiral binding.The swatch examples are awesome.The notes on color and styles are helpful.I do feel, however, that lumping 1930 through 1960 photos together with no notes does not really help to date the fabric accurately enough.

Quilt fabrics
This book would be of interest to quilters and those interested in dating quilts.The patterns are listed in colour headings under 20 to 30 year groupings eg 1880-1910 and there are several pages in front of each year grouping with details including the period, textile colours, fabric print styles and quilt styles.The pictures are in colour and the book spiral bound so it will lie flat easily when open - good for making comparisons of quilt material.

What a lovely book for anyone who loves vintage fabrics
I love repro fabrics for quilting but wanted to learn more about them.This is a particularly well done book, with good color and real-life sizing of the prints.Each period section begins with a few pages that covers what was happening in the period, what fabrics were popular, what quilt blocks and quilting patterns were popular, etc.There's also a bit on how the fabric was manufactured in that period.Fabrics before 1830 took an enormous amount of work and were basically done laboriously with hand-coloring and wood blocks -- very labor intensive process to produce prints.The prints they produced remind me (not surprisingly since India was the source of much of the cotton fabric then) of the gauzy prints from India that you still see today.There's a discussion of popular colors and dyes, and the fabrics are organized by color within each period section.Now I know what Turkey red is -- including where the dye came from, when it appeared, etc.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Color in the textile industrie    3. Color in the textile industries    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Dating    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Quilts    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Reference - General    10. Sewing    11. Textile fabrics    12. Textiles & Costume    13. United States   

Reviews (9)

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE
While this book was originally published in the 1930's, it has stood the test of time to become a definitive reference on the subject of 19th-century women's fashion, from the beginning of the Napoleonic/Regency era right into the early years of the Edwardian period.The text is exhaustive, delving into the smallest details (which can sometimes be the most important) of every feature of feminine costume from year to year, and features extensive sidebars on such things as underclothes and headgear.Since I run a website devoted to glove fashion and history, I particularly appreciated the attention given to gloves (which were so much a key - indeed, mandatory - accessory of women's clothing throughout the century that women would often even go to bed wearing gloves!).The hundreds of illustrations are a mix of first-class original work and authentic period illustrations.Since this is a reprint, there are no color illustrations (which are mentioned in the text), but this is a minor flaw.Anyone who has any interest at all in 19th-century women's clothing needs to make this book a basic part of their reference library.

A good resource for historical costumes for reenactors
I bought this book a few years ago and I found it very helpful. The information is presented in an interesting way.
English Women's Clothing in the 19th Century
This is an excellent book to give an accurate picture of clothing worn in the 19th century for a variety of occasions.Also very useful is the information on fabrics used, hat styles, hairstyles, etc.Easy to find the information for different decades. This is an excellent book for individuals trying to create authentic reproduction Victorian fashions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Clothing and dress    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Great Britain    6. Health/Fitness    7. History    8. Textiles & Costume    9. Women's clothing    10. Costume    11. History / Great Britain    12. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    13. Social history    14. United Kingdom, Great Britain    15. Women's studies   

Reviews (10)

Excellent
An excellent visual source of information on the cloths worn during this time period. Most pleasing to the eye.
Wonderful reference book
This is a fabulous book with fashions that span all ages (from child to adult) and looks during that decade.It is a hoot to see the low prices, and some of the clothing will make today's teen recoil in horror.I think the WWII era fashions were absolutely fantastic and this book is great.
a hat for thirty five cents - amazing!
This is a great book full of illustrations from vintage Sears catalogs. The clothing styles range from everyday wear to swimwear to underwear and accessories. It's fantastic to look at the styles, but my favorite parts of the book are definitely the captions that describe each of the items, along with their original price. It really is a hoot to see gorgeous hats going for thirty-five cents to a whopping dollar seventy-nine! Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    4. Catalogs    5. Clothing and dress    6. Crafts & Hobbies    7. Fashion    8. General    9. History    10. Hobbies/Crafts    11. Sears, Roebuck and Company    12. Textiles & Costume    13. United States    14. Antiques & Collectibles / Textiles & Costume    15. Costume    16. Fashion design   

Reviews (21)

THIS IS WHAT A READING EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE
"Chasing Rainbows" is beautiful, profoundly informative and more fun to read than any collecting book you've ever owned...period!

Tremendous!
I received this book as an early Christmas gift and now I'm buying a dozen copies to give to friends and family. This is the most beautiful and interesting collecting book I've ever read. The author is remarkably funny while delivering all the information on the subject anyone could possibly absorb.Just a fantastic effort.

Fascinating read
Most books about collecting have lovely photos and dull text. This is an exception! Friedman's text is fun and helpful, with photos used as examples. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Art    3. Catalogs    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    5. Collectors and collecting    6. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    7. History    8. Indian blankets    9. North America    10. Pendleton Woolen Mills, Inc.    11. Textiles & Costume    12. Art / Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions   

Reviews (2)

Just Fabulous-bought another copy after I wore the 1stout!
Great graphics, imaginative design, fabulous period reference.Outstanding in every way!

Quaint text and dynamite illustrations of original fashion
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 howrevolutionary his work was for the times. Working with virtually nodirection to blunt his creativity, Erte published paintings and sketches ofingenious fashions that are as playful and lighthearted as they areluxurious and exquisite. He envisioned modern women (from 1915 to 1926) asgoddesses, ultra-chic stars, children of nature, and totally femininecreatures to be adored and exalted. His fashions reflect this,individualistic and charming, colorful and startlingly functional. The 8color covers and many B/W illustrations show insight into a dimension offashion that one normally sees only on the show runways: the never-endingwell of creativity brought to life by a truly inventive mind unhamperedwith concerns of marketability. Peruse the illustrations and noticeallusions to gardens, paper-weaving, architecture, tennis, various membersof the animal kingdom, ceremonial draperies, sailing ships, and flames.Dresses, coats, masks, swimming costumes, sleepwear, and gowns allornamented with beads, fur trim, sheer draperies, corded lacings, silverembroidery, leather and straw. Practical? Not really. Mass manufacturing?Not in a million years. This is extreme fashion, the stuff of couture, suchas would be worn to the salon of writers and intellectuals. Erte loved bestto design for the stage, and the drama and fantasy of theater is inevidence in each ornate illustration. Although for 3 years he produceddesigns for Altman and Bendel in NY, most of his work was strictlyconceptual, and many readers of Harper's saved covers and sketches to museover as they would an art history volume, as evidence of another world.Ignoring fashion trends, Erte generated innovative and outre designs thatstill amaze and delight those of us who appreciate true originality. I'drecommend this book to anyone interested in textile or fashion design, butalso to graphic designers, sculptors, and those who really enjoy art forits own sake. This book is, in one word: luscious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design - General    4. Fashion    5. Individual Artist    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Textiles & Costume    8. Art / Fine Arts    9. Erté    10. Illustration & commercial art   

Reviews (2)

What a Documentation Book should look like!
This book contains more photographs of antique quilts than any other book pertaining to the various quilt documentation projects, with just the right amount of text. WELL DONE in every way!

One of the best!!
This is a beautiful book with wonderful pictures and text.It is "one of the best" new books on the market.The pictures show lovely old quilts--some are old patterns that a person will recognize and some a fascinating combination that will be new to most quilters.Definitely a book worth owning! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Antiques & Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. History    7. Pennsylvania    8. Quilts    9. Quilts & Quilting    10. Textiles & Costume    11. York County    12. Antiques & collectables: carpets, rugs & textiles    13. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (9)

Very highly recommended for any collection strong in both fashion history and books on collectibles
Eye-catching from the start, HANDBAG CHIC: 200 YEARS OF DESIGNER FASHION features a good chain on the side to provide the illusion of a handbag book: open it up and you'll find the eye-catching strategy continues with full-page color photos of handbags which are unique creations indeed. Descriptions beside each photo include maker, year, materials used, and the latest price. From needlepoint bags to decoupage lunchbox handbags, beaded bags, metal clutches and more, nearly every kind of designer bag holds a place. Very highly recommended for any collection strong in both fashion history and books on collectibles.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS BAG BOOK-GOOD PICTURES-BAD PRICE GUIDE!
I am really amazed - UPSET AND MISTIFIEDat this author and her lack of knowledge on the quality of the VINTAGE-(BACK SECTION OF BOOK) LUCITE~BAKELITE handbags in her book-THE PRICES ARE TOTALLY OUT OF LINE!HIGH ON THE CHEAP-LOW ON THE BEST???
Handbag Chic
HANDBAG CHIC is a wonderful book!It is very informative with many high quality purses ranging from a rare, early Theorem purse to beautiful 20th century needle worked and leather examples. The circa 1840 painted straw purse had me green with envy.The cover is imaginatively designed as a purse, complete with a chain handle on the spine!The photography is of a very high quality, making details easy to see.I consider this a great addition to my collection of books on purses and a must have for purse and couture collectors everywhere. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Textiles & Costume   

Reviews (1)

Great book. Lots of deatils!
I have been looking for a book that really helps me understand the "grading" process to paper patterns. I have found the book. I bought this book on accident, and I have still not been sad about it yet. It is a wonderful book filled with great ideas, and lots of illustrations to help you understand the process.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Fashion    4. General    5. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    6. Fashion & beauty industries