Reviews (5)

Wonderful!
Clear instructions for many fantastic quilts in various sizes!Worth the money!Mrs. Burns is funny too.Quilt books don't have to be boring and this won isn't!It's great!

Wonderful detail!!
I bought this book for my Mother-In-Law as a gift.She and I agree it is a wonderful book with easy to follow instructions on how to piece the quilts together.The designs are absolutely beautiful and the book is put together extremely well!If you like to quilt or even look at beautiful designs this is definately the book for you--ENJOY!!!!

Very detailed instructions
This is my third Eleanor Burns book and so far I have only started my first project from this one.I love all the projects and the full color illustrations - unlike some quilting books, hers are very detailed and easy to follow, no matter what level of difficulty.Burns expects you to have very specific supplies, (which I broke down and bought) but I think it was worthwhile to do so.All in all a great quilting book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Quilts & Quilting    5. Seasonal   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jewelry    5. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    6. Jewelry making    7. Necklaces    8. CRAFTS & HOBBIES - BG-DECORATING/ANTIQUES    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry   

Reviews (3)

very informartive!
This book contains allot of basic information on draping. The instructions are thorough and are acompanied by visuals, for extra comprehension. It also has a section dedicated to draping knits, a real plus! My understanding of the draping method, and therefore my skill, has improved on account of this book.

Exactly what you need to know
I studied at FIT in NY, and this was required reading for my first draping course.It seems that a careful read of this book alone could have taught me what I needed to know.It takes practice, but boy, if you want perfect results, follow this book to the letter and it will get you there!

It was excellent
beautifu ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Decorating - General    4. Design - General    5. Dressmaking    6. Fashion    7. Fashion design    8. General    9. Pattern design    10. Textile Fabrics    11. Art / Design / General   

Reviews (9)

Glorious Warm Glass
This book provides the best brief overview of kiln techniques I have seen. Clear instructions and excellent photos make new techniques accessible to someone with limited experience and the wide range of skills demonstrated should provide inspiration for even more experienced glass artists. I love this book. I also own and love the Brad Walker "Contemporary Warm Glass." You need to buy them both!

great book on Warm Glass
While 1500 degrees farenheit may seem very hot, it is relatively cool; i.e., "warm" compared to the 2500 degrees or so for the viscous liquid known as "hot" glass.
Fast delivery, excellent condition
This seller shows Amazon buying at it's best.My book arrived in exactly the condition described and in a timely fashion. And...the price was right.Couldn't ask for more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Firing (Ceramics)    4. Glass & Glassware    5. Glass art    6. Glass craft    7. Glass fusing    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Glass & Glassware    10. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (15)

Sarah, can I haveyour babies?
Finally!I have to agree with Drea (who, by the way, has a tremendous amount of very valuable information on period costuming on the web), that this is what we've waited for.Sarah uses the same techniques I use, planning out on graph paper and then applying that to your basic block, but then goes much farther with explaining stitches, etc.
A Welcome Addition to work in the field.
As a Tailor, I often find books on Costuming which lean towards Theatrical Costuming to be somewhat lacking. As a member of The Society for Creative Anachronism, with a 13th century persona, I found Ms Thursfield's book to be a huge step in the right direction. The author shows you how to make reasonably accurate medieval clothing in a clear, understandable manner. I do not use patterns from books, I prefer to draft my own; but the patterns in this book gave me some very good ideas on ways to improve my own patterns. While I wouldn't advise a novice to use this book, I found it to be full of extremely useful information. The one word of caution I would like to offer is that it is not wise to depend on any one author when doing research. That being said, if you're interested in medieval clothing, Ms Thursfield's book is worth every penny.

Finally, a costuming book geared to the reenactor
As others have said, this book combines historical costume research with a detailed "how to" of how to make clothing that will be period-appropriate.A fascinating read even if sewing is not your forte, and the pictures of the finished garments are inspiring. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Sewing    5. Textile Arts - Costume   

Reviews (8)

A WINNER
I bought three books on Polymer Clay, and this is the only one with all the techniques there that I want to learn.
Polymer Clay Bible
Everyone starting out in polymer clay should have this book in their library. Many newer techniques have been developed since this book came out but this book contains everything you need in order to develop your own original work. If you're looking for a "projects" book skip this, but if you want the basicsthis is the book for you. I only wish Nan Roche would write another! I still find myself refering to it and I've been working in polymer clay for over 15 years.

The Book that started it all for Polymer Clay
It was the first book about PC. It was the only book available for quite some time. Many of the most renowned PC artists started with this book and you can see the influence in their work.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making    7. Polymer clay craft    8. Art techniques & materials    9. Ceramic arts, pottery, glass   

Reviews (74)

dare i say it...even better than S&B Nation!!!!
oh lord, WHY did i have to JUST start knitting right before this book arrived?as addicted as i am to my new hobby, i am a long-term crocheter who has been very, VERY tempted to drop the needles and grab a hook again because of this book (well, that and "The New Granny Square" - tho i already own it, it is not available on Amazon for some reason so i cannot review it).
Excellent, stylish and easy to follow patterns!
I purchased this book after first checking it out from my local library.I am used to being disappointed by crochet books - most are either outdated, unstylish, or contain the proverbial overabundance of hat and scarf patterns (haven't we all made too many of those already?).I was in search of hip patterns that were like expensive boutique items but with easy to follow instructions and I was not disappointed by this book in any way!Usually I only find one or two patterns in any crochet book that I really want to make but I can honestly say that I will end up working nearly every one in this book, either for myself or for gifts.The instructions are very easy to follow and I have now made about 4 of the designs:a purse, 2 hats & a baby blanket.It is perfect for the novice or experienced crocheter and if you forget how to work a particular stitch, there is an excellent reference guide in the front.I love this book so much I am giving it to several of my friends for Christmas!My only complaint, like another reviewer, is that it should be spiral-bound because I will probably wear it out from using it so much.

Great for beginners!

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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Crocheting    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - Crocheting    6. Patterns    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Crocheting    8. Crochet   

Reviews (13)

Amazing!!
Only a mathematical genius like Debbie New could come up with the wonderful and amazing options for knitting in new ways. Also fabu is the gallery of work by Ms New. I am working on a scribble lace garment using 6# fishing line and a heavy thick/thin wool (similar to Point 5 by Colinette). I think it will be amazing when complete. I spend hours looking over this book, imagining my next project.

Not for beginners
This book was beyond my expectations. I've been a knitter for over 30 years now, but I never thought one could knit such pieces. They are works of art more than knitted pieces. This book is a joy to look at, over and over and over again. It helps thinking outside the box and that there is more to knitting as one would believe. Great book!

An essential book for thinking knitters
Debbie New is the most innovative knitter since Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Unexpected Knitting is a book that provides inspiration and new directions (literally! she designs at all angles) to even experienced needlers.New has an organic sense of her projects;she knows her materials and is willing to experiment.She has the gift also of being able to explain clearly, in words and in charts, exactly how she has produced her groundbreaking designs.Not all her designs or techniques will appeal to all knitters, but there is some new insight to be gained in every project she describes, and everyone will find something wonderful among the sweaters, jackets, and art pieces beautifully displayed and explained in this volume.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Knitting    4. Needlework - Knitting    5. Patterns    6. Sweaters   

Subjects:  1. American - African-American    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. Exhibition Catalogs    8. Folk & Outsider Art    9. Quilt Making    10. Art / American / African-American   

Reviews (46)

I have made four items from this book-beautiful!
I was new to wire and bead jewelry making when I got this. It quickly inspired me to make several items of jewelry as shown and they are gorgeous. I am now hooked on this hobby and have, in two months, spent over $1500 on tools and supplies. I have four sets of pliers, a crimping plier, two hammers, a small anvil, numerous beads and findings which I get on eBay, several types of gold and silver wire, and let me tell you, it all adds up. It is an addiction to types like me who need to make pretty things.
Good place to start
Although new to beading this book provided some great information on the processes involved.I found it to be very helpful and will refer to it again and work on some of the projects found inside its covers.

Bead On A Wire:Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry
A great book - suitable for the beginner or the more advanced jewelry artist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry making    9. Metal Work    10. Wire craft    11. Handicrafts    12. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (14)

GREAT TEACHING BOOK!!!!
I have been researching, trying and creating with pmc for a year now and found this book to be very informative.This book gives you details about most aspects of silver clay.The projects show all the various ways of using silver clay's.

An excellent reference book for metal clay
I just received this book in the mail today.I paged through it quickly to see what was included.I will go through it more slowly later.What I did see the first time I really liked.I was impressed that firing charts for both brands of metal clay were included.
Covers her subject like a blanket !
Ms.Haab Covers her subject very well in that she gives the in formation on both types of metal clay. The temps and specfics to each brand product. The range of techniques translated in to the clay form metalsmithing follow the finished look of the original as close as possible. As a hard art metal person I found not only the descriptions clear and easy to follow but the pictures are bright so you can see the items. Not the artsy type gallery shots in some books. I haven't used any of the projects in it yet, but it is being looked at a lot. I own it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clay    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making    7. Metal Work    8. Metal-work    9. Precious metal clay    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (64)

What you wear can change your life
This book is really fantastic.These two ladies have a way of speak writing which is my way of saying that they write exactly as they speak. It comes across very clearly and naturally.I have picked up heaps of useful tips and it makes you realise that is not about dressing the perfect body but about making the most of your assets and minimizing your less flattering physical attributes.
Laughing your way to looking good
Trinny and Susannah are fantastic at telling you exactly what will work on your body type. they show the funky and elegant. In addition to the great advice they couch it in wonderful irreverent humor. enjoy.

Good, But Not All-Purpose
I love the way Trinny and Susannah look at color. Their advice for matching colors and finding colors that work for you is second to none. They have a chapter where there is a page for each color. They show several shades of that color and for each shade, they show two complimentary colors and one contrasting color. They also offer good underwear, travel and accessory advice, which can be quite useful.
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Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Consumer Health    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Fashion    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Psychological aspects    7. Women's clothing    8. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (17)

Purl Stitch
Not quite as good as the first book in the series, but I'm glad to own it.

not as good as book 1
As a new knitter, I bought Sally's first book based on the reviews, and I loved it.The instructions and illustrations were excellent, and the patterns that could be made with just the knit stitch were mostly very nice, and usable. Something I could see myself making and wearing.
KNITTER BEWARE
Knitter beware.Pages with MISTAKES 19, 23, 104, 137, 148, 158, 169....maybe more.I love the patterns in this book.So, I decided I'd knit my husband the Classic cardigan.I knit quite a bit, this was my first sweater and was glad to find a book with what seemed to be clear instructions.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Knitting    6. Needlework - Knitting    7. Patterns    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting   

Reviews (18)

A must have!
I really liked the book, it inspires you to make your handwork wonderful! i liked so much i just can;t wait to try all the designs.

I love this book
I cam very close to drooling on this book when I got it. Its PACKED with the coolest stitches!

Knitting over the edge
This book is great!I am so excited that I purchased.The detail and volume of ideas and instructions are great.I highly recommend this book to everyone - Especially my best friend, Lulu!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlework - Knitting    5. BG-ENTERTAINMENT ARTS - BG-MUSIC/SONGBK/THEA/DANCE    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting    7. Knitting   

Reviews (14)

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop
I borrowed the 3 part PBS vhs Knitting Workshop series featuring Elizabeth Zimmermann.I've been knitting for 20+ years and learned so many new things from her no-nonsense knitting techniques that I've changed how I knit.She is a knitting icon and this book is an excellent extention of her videos.
A basic knitting necessity
I have had this book for a long time and as a spinner find it the most useful tool for both people who knit their own spun yarn or commercial yarn. Every knitter should have one!

The roots of knitting
EZ has a way with words. A down-home, embellished, but cut-to-the-chase, way with words. She has that same way with knitting. No fancy patterns that use modern yarn, and tell you exactly the things you need to complete the projects. Rather, she gives you a recipe. You can use any kind of yarn that suits your fancy, and it will still come out how it's supposed to. Very educational and useful for the experienced begginer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Needlework - Knitting    3. Knitting    4. Patterns   

Reviews (25)

Easy quilting
I am new to quilting yet this book makes a sampler quilt easy it is also a good resource for one pattern quilts.

FANTASTIC
Another great book for beginning quilters. Great tool to have. Wonderful styles & easy to understand.

Big Hit
I purchase this book for my mother-in-law, who loves to quilt.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Quilts & Quilting    5. Quiltmaking   

Reviews (6)

A winner.
CHRISTMAS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING 2006 (0848731158, $29.95) isn't strictly a cookbook, though recipes are its core: it combines menus and time-saving holiday plans as well as party ideas with dishes which lend to entertainment and family gatherings. Many are fast, easy editor's picks, with chapters handily divided by type of entertainment: brunch buffet, office party, dinner party, and the like. A winner.
Not Up To Snuff
Like many of you, I collect these books year after year.This year was very disappointing.The book really is mainly recipes.I don't buy them for that, although the few I try are good. I buy this book mainly for the decorating and gift ideas.This year the book is really lacking in them.In years past they've shown how to decorate the outside of your house, the mantle, the table, and just about anywhere in a house that you could put a decoration.This year you basically have one mantle.That's it.Sorry, this book had me saying to myself, "I paid full price for this!!"
Christmas with Southern Living 2006
I love this book! I give to my 3 girls as well. I have gotten this book almost every year since it was first published. It has decorating suggestions, crafts, recipes and just all kinds of information to make your Christmas the best ever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Regional Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Entertaining - General    5. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    6. Holiday - General    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States    8. Seasonal   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (44)

Best collection of knots ever.
This book has just about every kind of knot you could ever imagine. The drawings are quite nice and history within the book is most interesting. If you've ever had an interest in knots, rope, or sailing this is the book for you.

Knot-Withstanding
This is a marvelous piece of work, a wonderfully compiled index and history on the amusing subject of knots.Moreover; this is the story of knots, written with a scholar's pen (so, it's educational), but told with a seaman's heart. The author's passion for his subject, evident on every page, animates all of his hand-drawn, disciplinedillustrations(Ashley was a student of the great Howard Pyle), which lends the book a nice, user-friendly appeal. As the author literally unravels the chords of the past on the subject, he then meticulously ties all loose ends together to knot the vast gamut of one ofhumanity's oldest skills and indispensable crafts in one timeless reference book. Here is a legendary work for the ages on a specialized professional skill, and a skill people rely upon everyday.
"I'm a bit tied up at the moment."
First published in 1944, THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS is a fundamental reference work for anyone who works with rope, be you a sailor, stevedore, circus acrobat or dominatrix.
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Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. General    5. Knots and splices    6. Sailing - General    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. Sports & Recreation / Sailing    9. CRAFTS/HOBBIES   

Reviews (25)

Are Kelly and Jonathan The Same Person?
Is Kelly Wearstler Jonathan Adler in drag? Or vice versa? Both are wildly talented people, who just happen to use the same things in their work, same colors, etc. Jonathan is an artist, who adoringly references and copycats retro pottery, and makes it unqiuely his own. Kelly is a cool chick, good dresser, has tons of style and can make a pretty room out of old glam junk and ideas. I love them both, and their books are worth having. I wish Kelly had more personal rooms. Too many hotel rooms which are very stagey. In the book she says she didn't like doing set design, yet that's what she does - designs sets for cool people like her to inhabit. Hollywood Regency is the word bandied about to describe both Jonathan & Kelly, he sometimes getting the East coast moniker of Palm Beach Style too (and she the West coast of Palm Springs). I say if you shop on eBay you will see all this great junk (just search Hollywood Regency) that I call eBay Regency. Both books give you a few ideas of how to put it together. Jonathan is more playful, Kelly more serious, but both make wonderful, zany, colorful, retro inspired modern human rooms. I think they bring back the words INTERIOR DECORATOR, so refreshing after everyone and his mother is a DESIGNER (used to be everyone's mother was a station wagon driving decorator with a business on the side). I wonder if these two have ever met, and if so do they like one another, or are they really the same person?
Fifteen Minutes of Drama.
This designer clearly aims for exclamations of surprises from viewers. She has an admirable eye for color. But for real class and style, refer to and study truly great and original minds like the late David Hicks, Madeleine Castaing, Jacques Garcia, and the highly intellectual Jacques Grange. Then re-interpret to suit your life and add your own sense drama for a real originality.

Inspirational
Read it cover to cover... enjoyed learning how Kelly approaches the art of design and deconstructs her projects to give the reader a clear understanding of how she pulls together the beautiful results. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. History    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Interior Design - General    8. Interior decoration    9. KWID (Firm)    10. Residential Interior Design    11. Themes, motives    12. Architecture / Interior Design    13. Home furnishing & decoration    14. Interior design   

Reviews (6)

The recipient loved it
I bought this as a gift for a friend who helped a great deal with my wedding, advising me of dress styles, hair styles, fashion from this era, dances, music, food, and everything in between, as well as arranging all the flowers for the wedding!She was a godsend!When I gave her the book, her jaw dropped and she was so excited to get it... she said she had been wanting it forever.As I consider her quite knowledgeable about the subject matter of this book, and as it came highly recommended by her, I would say that it's a great book to have if this is something you are interested in as a serious hobby or more.

The best place to start for Elizabethan Costuming
This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of Elizabethan Costuming.It mainly contains all of the details of Queen Elizabeth I wardrobe but it has unique points in the society that surrounded the dresses.This book helps to explain the Gloriana image that became so popular and it helps us to understand all the little details that went into the dress of the period.Detailing costumes using portraits and explaining how the fashion progressed makes this book a must for anyone interested in Renaissance Faires and the nobility.The only drawback is that very very few of the portraits and pictures are in color.I think a total of about 7 are in color the rest is in black and white. The only way to make this book more appealing and usable would be to put all of the portraits and pictures in color, but that would make the book even more expensive.After this must have book the 2nd on the shelf should be a J. Hunniset book (the lady who did all the costuming for Elizabeth R and The Six Wives of Henry the VIII produced by BBC).Next, any Janet Arnold book.Last, would be the Norris book:Tudor Costuming and Fashion (although most of this book is very outdated it is nice to look at).All of these are must haves and will make a well rounded library.Dispite the high price of the book it is worth posessing.Enjoy.

Such An Amazing Resource!
For the historical costumer focused on 16th century clothing, this is the "bible" hands down.Big, expensive, and filled with the usual detail that is the hallmark of Janet Arnold, this is one very worthwhile investment for the serious costumer. This book has one tiny drawback, in that it focuses entirely on women's fashion in the 16th century as viewed through the wardrobe accounts of Queen Elizabeth I and some of her contemporaries.Therefore, it has nothing to say on the topic of men's clothing, which is an unfortunately neglected aspect of 16th century research.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1533-1603    2. 16th century    3. Clothing    4. Costume    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. Elizabeth    8. Europe - Great Britain - General    9. Great Britain    10. History    11. Hobbies/Crafts    12. Performing Arts    13. Queen of England,    14. Reference    15. Sewing    16. Sources    17. Theater - Stagecraft    18. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    19. Fashion design    20. Social history    21. United Kingdom, Great Britain    22. c 1600 to c 1700