5 comments about Soft + Simple Knits For Little Ones.

1. I am a total beginner and I love this book. Before this book I had only attempted basic scarves. I have not felt overwhelmed by the patterns and I love that what I can create is fun and funky. The instructions are easy to read and understand and I can easily go back and skim something if I start to feel like I'm lost. My littlest cousin takes her finger puppet playset everywhere with her! Thank you!



2. I got this book in the fall when it first came out - the layout showcases the fabulous knits nicely. I love the red swing coat and the adorable finger puppets! The lavender tank dress is too sweet, and would work for several years with shorts underneath. This book has a terrific variety of easy, quick projects that even a new knitter could knit up in short order.
   
   Terrific ideas, great layout, easy-to-follow patterns. Great book for kid's knits!



3. Heidi has done another amazingly clever book of fantastic projects that are simple and easy to follow and yet look super cool on children. My granddaughter looks so cute in some of these colorful and fun creations and she loves them and wears them which is certainly the best result, also has garnered many comments - of course she is a darling! They did not take long to accomplish for someone who is pretty green at knitting. I have seen Heidi Boyd's work in Better Homes & Gardens projects over the years and have most of her books, all of them are very original and great fun to do. I hope lots of people will be encouraged to take up more knitting with this very easy and rewarding book. Good luck and enjoy.



4. I was lucky enough to be able to see the trunk show for this book at my LYS and I LOVED it. The projects are not overly complicated, yet produce beautiful results and the finished items definitely receive lots of oohs and ahs. Perfect as gifts. Highly recommended!



5. I love the patterns in this book, even though I have only knit 1 item thus far and it knit up quickly and effortlessly. The author Heidi is a very, warm, friendly and not to mention talented person. Our local yarn shop owner is also one of the featured designers in the book along with her sister. She has most all, if not all, of the items, on display in her shop and the are all "beautiful" and flawless. I would recommended this book to people looking for soft, simple and cuddly items to knit for an "expectant mom" or any little one you may know. Our local yarn shop owner goes out of her way to assist anyone working on a pattern from this book to ensure the knitter, no matter there abilities, is able to create a beautiful, soft garment for the lucky recipeint.

No comments about Wedding Dress across Cultures (Dress, Body, Culture).

No comments about Designer Smocking For Tots To Teens.

No comments about Machine Embroidery for Babies and Tots.

1 comments about Fashion: A Philosophy.

1. at first this may seem like a difficult read, but if you can get past the scholarly, philosophical approach (as i did) you may discover the truth about clothes, fashion, consumerism, culture, and art... wow, mine-expanding! i had to look up words in the dictionary to keep up with the author's line of thought (he is a swedish philosophy professor). i sometimes read and re-read sentences. bottom line-covers all aspects of the whys and hows of humans wearing clothing. deep, thought-provoking,and worth the price-hey i paid full price $24.95!

1 comments about Children's Fashions, 1860-1912: 1,065 Costume Designs from "La Mode Illustree".

1. Funny thing, all I could think when I was reading through this was 'Hey Kids, if you think what your mothers are trying to put you in now stinks, this is what they would be putting you in back then'.
   
   Considering what kids are wearing today, back then looks pretty good.
   
   My only problem is this book does not show what work cloths of the time were like. Nor does it show ordinary cloths. Just the Sunday best.

2 comments about Sew Easy Designer Bags & Totes.

1. I LOVE making bags and totes and have accumlated several patterns and books. What prompted me to purchase this book was the cover tote bag. Upon receipt of the book, I immediately started acquiring all the materials to make this great-looking tote. Everything was going along swell, when I got to the handles. The list of materials does not tell you what type of plastic tubing to buy, the diameter needed or where to buy it. I went to my local hardware store and bought 1/4" clear plastic tubing. The mil (thickness) of the actual tubing was almost impossible to work with (kept wanting to curl up) and it was so tough to sew through, it put the timing of my Bernina sewing machine off so badly and I have to take it to the repair shop. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER about that! The overall instructions were not all that clear, but since I am an experienced seamstress, it was relatively easy to figure out. I have not attempted other bags yet, although they really do look great. I am hoping the cover tote was just a fluke and if I make it again, will NOT use the plastic tubing!



2. I have about a dozen books about making purses, and this is one of my favorites. It has interesting ideas and very detailed instructions. Even someone who knows nothing about sewing could probably make most of the things in this book.

3 comments about Wedding Fashions, 1862-1912 : 380 Costume Designs from "La Mode Illustree".

1. The Victorians paid a lot of especial attention to wedding costumery, as Joanne Olian shows in her slim volume displaying the evolution of bridal and bridal-party fashion from 1860 to 1912 as seen in the fashion plates of the famous magazine "La Mode Illustree". The illustrations, all in B&W, are full-page and always accompanied by at least one paragraph of descriptive text taken from the original source material. This book should be owned in conjunction with Olian's other volume, "Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from La Mode Illustree", for a really comprehensive look at the topic of Victorian fashion. Also, anyone who is considering organizing a Victorian-themed wedding will definitely want to peruse this book for ideas!



2. Dover has a whole series of books devoted to reproductions of vintage fashions. "Wedding Fashions, 1860-1912: 380 Costume Designs from 'La Mode Illustree'" has not only reproductions of illustrations but also detailed descriptive captions. These are not just bridal gowns done in satin, taffeta, and lace, but also creations for bridal attendants, sisters of the bride, and so forth (the idea that the sister of the bride has to have a special dress was an interesting insight into Victorian society). These authentic Victorian fashions will be of interest to costume designers, cultural historians, and fashion enthusiasts. Companion volumes provide full-color fashion plates, contemporary photographs, and authentic fashion patterns.



3. delightful book with lots of pictures of victorian style wedding attire. useful for "dedicated to detail costumers' and for modern brides who want the victorian look for their weddings as well. plenty of detail pictures of shoes, corsets undergarments,headdresses etc. i would definitely recommend this book.

No comments about Experiential Retailing: Concepts and Strategies That Sell.

2 comments about Chinese Dress: From the Qing Dynasty to the Present.

1. A comprehensive work on Chinese textiles in the last Dynasty of China and the early 20th Century which is profusely illustrated. It is an excellent book for any collector or person interested in this field.
   Highly recommended. This book doesn't repeat information which has been previously published but gives a fresh view.



2. What a beautiful book!
   
   I wanted to reach out and touch the textiles inside. It's humbling to know that "they" could create such glorious fabrics and clothing long before the invention of all our high-tech machinery and hyper-marketed "designer" creations.
   
   The history of who wore what (and why) is fascinating. If you're interested in fashion and textiles and/or enjoy history and/or have an interest in China - I suspect that you'll enjoy this book. Stick it beside your bed or near the sofa, as it's a fun book for browsing.
   
   By the way, I don't know the author (though I wish I did) and I don't have any relationship with the publisher, etc. I just liked the book - which I bought for myself. Soon after, I ran out and bought 2 more for Christmas gifts.
   
   From an American in Singapore.