Reviews (2)

Uninspired
Sandra Betzina is wonderfully talented when it comes to garment contstruction.I have several of her books and love them.However, her expertise and creativity do not seem to extend to home sewing. The projects in this book are not inspiring. The fabric choices are questionable.It is difficult to glean the 'tricks of the trade' as this book is organized entirely by project, not technique.Save your money.If you are truly interested, check it out from the library before you invest in this publication.

Down to earth useful book
I received this book as a gift and am buying it for a friend.I found the instructions down to earth and based around how to create patterns for furniture, windows, pillows etc in a non-intimidating way.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Household linens    6. Machine sewing    7. Sewing    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Sewing    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (1)

Welcome reprint of a classic
Barnard's classic, now back in print, is not only a decorating book, but also an encyclopedia of ethnic textiles, their history, and their care. Every page is filled with gorgeous color photographs of the use of textilesin settings from the American southwest (Navaho blankets) to London (MiddleEastern Kilims) to Paris (African Kuba cloth). Items from hats (Afghani) tohuipils (Guatamala) are shown framed, used as furniture coverings, madeinto pillows, or just hung imaginativly on a wall.I am delighted tofind it back in print in a soft cover version. Each time I've loaned out myprecious hardbound copy (and then only to special people), I have made SUREI got it back. A must-have for anyone who loves textiles, and at aridiculously low price given the size of the volume and its plentifulillustrations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Residential Interior Design    7. Textile Arts    8. ASIA    9. Africa    10. Antiques & collectables: carpets, rugs & textiles    11. The Americas   

Reviews (2)

Very good presentation of the subject
As the other reviewer has said this book has very good illustrations and in many steps. It answered many of the questions I had on mitered corners and other things and so I will be able to use the other book I bought sewing edges and corners. One of the best books I've seen on this topic and sewing. I will certainly buy other books by creative publishing hoping that they will be good as this one. So this book is recommended for beginners with some experience.

So Simple Slipcovers
Great ideas in this book!The illustrations and instructions are clear and easy to understand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Coverlets    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Curtains    5. Decorating    6. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Household linens    9. Sewing   

Reviews (2)

The Upholsters's Dictionary
As an Upholsterer's Dictionary it is a good book and rather thorough.There are endless detailed sketches of the equipmentUpholsterers use,a glossary of common terms ,information about exhibitions and Fairs etc. However,it isn't a "how-to" book. There are no step-by-step projects or photographs. This is a very technical book,a guide to wanna-be upholsterers rather than a guide to anyone who simply wants to experience the joys of a home-made redo.

Spectacular Upholstery Guide!
UPHOLSTERY: A Complete Guide by David James is a logical book with clearconcise step-by-step directions. With the directions from this book I haverecovered six wing-back chairs and saved a small fortune... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    5. General    6. Textile Arts    7. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    8. Design & technology    9. GAMES (bks) - CASINO GAMBLING TRDH    10. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (2)

Buyer Beware
While the contents of this book are beautifully displayed and the instructions are relatively easy to follow, the book is a consolidation of the four individual Home Furnishing Workbooks -- pillows, bed linens, window treatments and lampshades.Unfortunately, that is not indicated in the information presented here.Therefore, if you own them, purchasing this book would be a waste of money.

A broad overview of many decorating ideas
This book has sections on bedding, lampshades, curtains, and pillows.Each section has several ideas of great-looking projects that you can make at home.It never really occured to me that I could make my own lampshades in fabrics to match my room!The projects are all ingredibly simple, also... but the finished projects look stunning! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Bedding    3. Cushions    4. Decorating    5. Decorating - General    6. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House furnishings    9. Interior decoration    10. Sewing   

Editorial Review

More involved than constructing a slipcover, upholstering furniture means giving an item a new identity that it will wear like skin. Understanding the layers of fabric, trimming, padding, and webbing that give a chair or a sofa its curves and contours can seem like learning a new language. How do you handle the practicalities of repairing the old innards, calculating new yardage, cutting pieces to fit properly, and achieving smooth coverage, let alone the aesthetic considerations of determining the appropriate fabric and trim choices? Read more

Reviews (7)

More than adequate for the do-it-yourselfer
An avid do-it-yourselfer that loves to work on decorating projects around the house writes this review. I purchased this book after I finished my first upholstery project.About 3 years ago I got a bug to try my hand at upholstery and prompted stripped a loveseat down to its frame.I used only a few short guides from the Internet as my directions.Surprisingly it worked, but it was not the easiest way to learn to reupholster something.I purchased this book when I decided to reupholster a wing chair.This book has been invaluable.
Simply Upholstery
Even though I have not begun my upholstery project,
Great for beginners!
Written in easy to understand terms with lots of illustrations.This is a great book that explains how to reupholster several types of furniture pieces while teaching you the pro's tricks, so you get up to speed quickly! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Upholstery    5. Soft furnishings   

Reviews (4)

Rethink Your Use of Fabrics
I needed the ideas in this book to use the vintage lace that I'd collected and the stacks of old quilts hidden away in the closet.These were things that attracted me at flea markets and yard sales, but then I had trouble working them into my decor.
There are ideas for every room of the house

beautiful photos
I really liked this book for the photography and ideas--IO would have liked it more with more projects and how to directions! It is beautiful, though ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservation and restoration    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Household linens    8. Textile Arts - General    9. Textile fabrics    10. Textile fabrics in interior de    11. Textile fabrics in interior decoration    12. Vintage clothing   

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Sewing   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Sale Adult - Do-It-Yourself / Home Improvement    6. Non-Classifiable    7. Sale Books   

Reviews (7)

Great Reference Book
I ordered this book because I was out of ideas and needed some help with slipcovers.I have been sewing for more years than I can count, however, never to old to learn a few new tricks.I found this book to be very helpful, very simple instructions, step-by-step, they assume you are new at sewing, and take each step of the process & add photos so you can see what it is suppose to look like to keep you on track. I would suggest this book to anyone who wants to improve their sewing skills and/or new sewers or just looking for good ideas.

It's so-so
Its a good book for beginners, I am a beginner.ALOT of the projects in this book seem like they are from the early 80's (yuck) even though it was published in 2000.If looking for a how-to book this one is good with tips only.MOST of the projects are pillows and window treatments,with only a hand full of other projects.NOT a good book for the younger crowd looking for tips and projects for decorating their home. Or anyone looking for something modern. I personally was very disappointed, and there are book out there that are SO much better.

Book review
Very good book, with easy to follow instructions. My only reason for not giving it a 5-star rating was because I would have liked to see a few more curtain/drapery styles than were offered. Lots of really good tips in this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. House & Home    7. House furnishings    8. Machine sewing    9. Sewing    10. Textile fabrics in interior de    11. Textile fabrics in interior decoration    12. Needlework & fabric crafts    13. Soft furnishings   

Reviews (1)

Excellent practical guide
This is an excellent practical guide to sewing home linens, especially for someone who has never made them before. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Household linens    7. Needlework    8. Sewing    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    10. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (1)

Projects ranging from cushions to fine curtains
Sewing projects can transform a home, especially with Katrin Cargill's Simple Soft Furnishings: 50 Stylish Home Sewing Projects To Transform Your Home in hand, which provides 50 projects ranging from cushions to fine curtains and table linens. Five key areas of the home where soft furnishings apply are reviewed in the course of project tips, which include how to avoid common problems. Materials list, color photos, and step-by-step instructions make Simple Soft Furnishings particularly accessible to beginners.
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Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Furniture    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Sewing    8. House & Home / Decorating    9. Interior decoration   

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Sewing    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (2)

Contemporary Solutions
It's not always easy to find appropriate window treatments for contemporary interiors.This book offers lots of solutions in photos, with illustrated projects using simple basic sewing techniques. More of the same from Katrin Cargill
After being inspired by the author's Simple Curtains book, I decided to purchase this book.Unfortunately, there were no reviews, so I took a chance and purchased it anyway.While this book has great pictures, classifies different styles such as classic, country and contemporary and has easy to follow directions, I was disappointed that many of the styles and techniques had already been featured in Simple Curtains (scalloped curtains, gingham curtains, lots of tension wire and eyelets).I also think that the workbook style of Simple Curtains is more functional than the more "coffee table style" of Curtain Bible.If you already have Simple Curtains, don't bother buying this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Decorating - Windows    4. Design - Decorative    5. Draperies    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Sewing    8. Art / Design / Decorative   

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Furniture    5. General    6. House & Home    7. Repairing    8. Upholstery    9. BG-HUMOR/GAMES - BG-GAMES/PUZZLES    10. Home furnishing & decoration   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (1)

Beautiful Ideas
This book is so beautifully presented it should be marketed as a coffee table book. The patterns are really beautiful and very usable around the home. I really enjoyed making some of the items, and the patterns were easy to follow. The wool recommended was very expensive, but I managed to interchange with little problem. I would recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. House furnishings    6. Knitting    7. Needlework - Knitting    8. Patterns    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Knitting    10. KNITTING_PATTERNS   

Reviews (7)

Short, concise reading
This book offers a very simple to follow technique for choosing and mixing patterns.There's room for notes and samples in the back.

It really works! :)))
Finally! ..a book on coordinating fabrics which actually works in reality too!! I've purhased many books on color, fabric, texture, you name it! Then, I tried to put togeter a theme for my livingroom which never worked. I've purchased many kind of fabrics (wasn't cheep either!) only to found out - after I took them home - that they didn't look right togheter with the rest of the fabrics I already had. I loved every one of them (separetely).
As Easy As 1-2-3
What a great book, all the books out there really didnt help me.This book really did. After reading it, it gave me all the confidence that I needed. step by step it was really easy.I bought Christopher Lowell book and what a nightmare.I also bought that Waverly book that helped a little but not much. This book saved me alot of money. Start with one fabric it said, so I did . Thank You Jen Raffo ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself    4. Amateurs' manuals    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design    9. Interior decoration    10. Textile Arts    11. Textile fabrics    12. Upholstery   

Reviews (2)

AMEN -- ALTHOUGH...
I agree entirely with the reviews of this admirable book. But the buyer should be aware that it's an English publication and all the sources for supplies etc are British. As one who is having a tough time finding American suppliers of materials suitable for antiques who are willing to sell retail, I'm finding that's a fairly big gap.

superb reference and instruction book on upholstery
Just about anything and everything you ever wanted or needed to know aboutupholstery is in this book. Photographs and descriptions of professionaltools,Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. Upholstery    5. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    6. Home furnishing & decoration    7. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (3)

great ideas for old stuff!
This book had some really nce ideas for old and vintage items--I have a lot of craft books, this is one of my favorites!

Grandmother of five
After seeing Samantha McNesby's designs in numerous crafting magazines over the years, I knew that I would enjoy her new book. It's very well written and has easy to follow directions. I highly recommend it to those who love to sew.

TERRIBLE
Samantha McNesby is incompetent and cannot write sewing patterns. Her patterns have MANY mistakes and are very confusing. DO NOT buy this item! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Decorating - Upholstery/Fabrics    3. Decoration and ornament    4. Handicraft    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Household linens    7. Sewing    8. Needlework & fabric crafts    9. Textile arts