1 comments about Eyewitness: Costume (Eyewitness Books).

1. This is a good, easy reference book. I highly recommend it for grade school children who may not be up to the task of reading long explanations about historical costumes. It covers a lot of time--from Adam and Eve to the 1990's.

No comments about Street T.

5 comments about The Evolution of Fashion: Pattern and Cut from 1066 to 1930.

1. A great book covering from the year 1066 to 1930. Includes patterns for undergarments, outfits and accessories.
   Includes hats, caps, and bonnets.
   Easy to use, and very informing.



2. I have been using this book for years to help with designing costumes for various Community Theatres and Madrigal Groups. Though the costumes themselves are English, they give you a wonderful idea of what was popular for the elite from every western country during a wide range of periods. The best part of this book is the fact that you can tell they did their research. From the way people changed their movement, to the undergarments that were needed to support the clothing, to how they were decorated, I could go on for another page. It is the perfect resource for anyone who designs for a living or just for fun.



3. In the words of the authors, "Fashion is the translation of the wearer's personality into the language of clothes," and this volume is a comprehensive overview of the changes in the ideal personality as reflected in the dress of English court dressers, interpreted through secondary sources (paintings, prints, carvings, sculptures and manuscript drawings) during the reign of 31 English monarchs. For each of 56 eras in fashion, clear and detailed B/W drawings (by Hill) of male and female adult dress are presented with a thorough overview (by Bucknell) of general characteristics of the fashion including headware, shoes, and undergarments and a summary of trends in decoration, accessories, movement for both genders, padding and restriction, and typical fabrics and colors. For all illustrated outerwear garments, 1/8" scale pattern shapes (by Bucknell) are provided as a base for adaptation for those interested in re=creation, and are simplified and presented without seam allowances or construction notes. No information is given on construction of foundation garments (corsets, hoops, panniers, padding) which are necessary for many of the garments shown. The book is intended to assist theater designers, cutters, illustrators, costume history drudents, and actors in achieving an accurate silhouette for a given period, and I would say it amply fulfills this goal. Some construction suggestions for theater use are included but nothing on the level of a mainstream fashion pattern, so this book should not be a sole resource for an average home sewer contemplating a period halloween costume. Minimal illustration of placement of details such as pleats, pockets, buttonholes or casings. Patterns have no notches or facing pieces, merely reference letters to mark attachment points on complex constructions. No garments beyond English court dress are covered, so don't look here for Chinese Imperial fashion or Eastern European peasant garb. I found "the big pink book" at a Ren Faire vendors' row and have enjoyed the thoughtful consideration of fashions from the past on many occasions, including construction of a 1550's/1560's era court gown for my wedding. It was particularly helpful to examine the outline of pattern shapes for sleeves and skirts that have not been in fashion for centuries, particularly for the very complex shapes such as bustles, layered flounces, intricate pleating, and extensive boning or wiring. As a professional costumer, I would love to see an index added that might allow readers to review what eras were associated with a particular element of fashion (for example: velvety fabrics, circular hoops, false buttonholes, use of bows as decoration, pastel colors, or very restrictive skirts) but this is minor and the book is quite functional sans index. All in all, a fine and indispensable reference in my library.



4. This book was the primary text in a costume history course I took in college, and it still stands out among the many costume books I've since accumulated as one of the most helpful. For those concentrating on a particular period who want to see lots of variations within that period--for example, those who are concerned with the difference between an 1853 sleeve and an 1854 sleeve--this is not for them: it depicts the basic style of each period and in written text describes the popular fabrics, trends, and design variations. As an overview that shows what people were wearing during the reign of every English monarch from 1066 to 1930, it is unsurpassed. Where other costume books tend to be vague and skimpy on pre-16th-century styles, this text clearly indicates what year a style belongs to and does not lump together a few drawings as examples of "medieval dress." The book includes patterns for every major garment pictured, but these, as other reviewers have noted, are not for novices. All in all, this is a wonderful book for a variety of purposes.



5. This book has some FABULOUS ideas and variations, but the patterns are all 1/8th scale and there is NO detail as to what goes with what (directions for sewing) or even suggestions for fabric. For designs and ideas, especially for SCA and Renaissance, its Faboo, but you need to have a background in costuming or at least some serious sewing to make this stuff look good. Definitely requires skills beyond the basics. SIMPLICITY it is not = (

1 comments about Ma Ke: Point One.

1. this is one of the most boring books i have bought in a long time. sorry, layout, context are really nothing to write home about. If you want to use it at the bottom of a pile of coffeetable books i guess it's would be fine but I am sure there are cheaper options.

No comments about Young Fashion Designers (Evergreen).

No comments about Camouflage.

No comments about Susie Cooper: An Elegant Affair.

3 comments about Homage: Encounters with the East.

1. I first noticed Christian Brechneff's work in a recent edition of Travel and Leisure magazine. His illustartions of the buildings and landscapes of India's far north were so wonderful that I bought a copy of his book Homage. I have to say that I wish that I had known about the book when it was first published. His watercolors, pin & ink drawings and pastels, which are beautifully reproduced in the book, evoke a sense of space, form and color better than any I've seen in a long time. Each is truly a joy to study. For anyone who has recently returned from a trip to India or the far east this book should bring back many memories of their trip. For anyone contemplating a trip to those regions, this book could serve as a guide to places to see and help to prepare the eye for the colors, shapes and vistas they will encouner on their trip. For everyone else, just enjoying the sense of place these illustrations conjur up should be reward enoungh.



2. Homage: Encounters with the East
   During many years on the faculty of a school of design I have seen numerous books of architectural drawings. HOMAGE: Encounters with The East, is in a class its own. It brings precision and verve to some of the world's most intricate (and difficult to depict) architecture and succeeds in creating an exceptional sense of presence. Mr. Brechneff has a broad talent, equally adept at bringing a delcate filigree to life on one page and the majesty of a surise on the Himalayas on the next. An evocative and altogether charming book, beautifully presented, with an enlightening preface, foreword and introductory notes by the artist. Highly recommended.



3. This book in unlike any other art book I have ever purchased. Brechneff's intricate drawings are breathtaking and full of life. I traveled through India/Kashmir in 1965, and I must say that Homage transported me back in time! My favorite painting is The Palace of The Winds at Jodphur, it is stunning!The paintings of Burma, Cambodia, and Laos are also incredible; I traveled through those regions in the late 70's. The book is just beautiful. I keep Homage on my coffee table and many of my friends have looked through it and said they loved the book as well. The book also comes with an orange ribbon marker with tiny golden bells, which is a great touch. I highly recommend this book to art-lovers and wanderlusts!

5 comments about The Fiberarts Book of Wearable Art.

1. This book is a great inspiration of beautiful work. I enjoyed the mini bios along with the pictures of artists' work. Here are list of the following artist that I would like to mention:
   
   Mike Kane & Steve Sells, Carter Smith on Shibori dyeing
   Peggotty Christensen with devore technique
   Catherine Bacon-collage
   Laurie Schafer - appliqueing silk with a precise method
   Jorie Johnson-Felting with wool manipulation
   Jean Williams Cacicedo - reverse applique
   Carol Lee Shanks-Woven Cloth
   
   There are more artists included in this book along with information about the artists located at the back of the book.



2. For anyone who loves color, fabric or handcrafts, this book is like receiving a box of very fine chocolates. There are luscious, colorful and beautifully-textured pieces on every page to inspire your heart and hands. The artists' statements are much more interesting than in many books of this kind, offering interesting glimpses into the various artists' design processes, spiritualities, motivations, working practices and technical approaches. The photographs are clear, evocative and artful, and the graphic design is excellent. This book would be a very good resource--as a visual technique library or source of inspiration--for anyone who enjoys design, handcrafts, color or fiber. Excellent.



3. The best collection of Wearable Art I have seen. Inspirational!!! This book has a permanent home in my library.



4. Well done and photographed. But it's not a "sewing" book. I was looking for something with new sewing projects, but this was more a coffee table picture book. I'm not as much into embellishments.



5. I first ordered this book as a gift to myself after reading about it in "Threads Magazine". It has indeed been a gift I will use. The designs in this book are from 40 of America's top Wearable artists who share their insiders' secrets with the reader and give the directions to create your own masterpiece. There are many beautiful items in this book that I intend to make, or rather adapt from. I rarely like following someone's specific patterns when creating my wearable art, but I love to see new and exciting techniques and styles. I feel this book gives you some wonderful tools and suggestions. After all wearable art is something one of a kind that no one else could create but you! Buy this book and expand your own horizons!

2 comments about Asian Costumes and Textiles: From the Bosphorus to Fujiyama, the Zaira and Marcel Mis Collection.

1. This book is a stunner! It contains gorgeous photos of many different items of apparel, including dresses, slippers, purses, coats, sashes, vests, scarves, fans, tunics, hats, robes, saris, trousers, blouses, kimonos, and more. Fabrics include silk, linen, cotton, wool, and even tree bark and palm fiber. Most items are from the 19th century, though a few are from the 18th and early 20th centuries, and all appear to be in excellent condition. The costumes thenselves are very beautiful, with designs ranging from simple to extremely detailed, and colors from pale white to vibrant reds, golds, and blues. The photography is spectacular. Often the item is shown draped artfully over an invisible stand, giving a three-dimensional view. There are many full-page close-ups of intricate designs and embroideries. Items on facing pages are in similar or complementary colors. Backgrounds set off the costumes effectively. All in all, a lovely book. Highly recommended.



2. This beautiful, large, coffee table type book is full of gorgeous color photography. There are tunics from Syria, embroidered veils from the Ottoman Empire, incredibly complex gowns from Afganistan, and wedding saris from India. The chapter on the Far East starts with a large color photo of a peasant's palm fiber rain costume while the next pages are full color photos of Manchurian court dress. The juxtaposition of the two is extrordinary. While there is a whole chapter on South East Asia, with some beautiful textiles from the region, I was dissapointed to find nothing in this book from Vietnam. I also wish some of the costumes could have been modeled on mannequins or people. It's hard to tell exactly what you're looking at in some of the photos, and if you're not familiar with the styles of the clothing, it's often difficult to envision how the pieces are worn.