1 comments about Shanghai Girl Gets All Dressed Up.

1. This is quite simply one of the most engaging, charming, and informative books I've ever read. It is facile enough to draw in the casual reader but informatie enough to cover a bit of history little-covered up until now, even to historians. Lovely illustrations, carefully researched. Every theatrical costumer or theater dept should have a copy on hand, and lovers of vintage Chinese (Asian) clothing will appreciate it. Great treatment of life in Manchu china: footbinding, nightclubs, prostitution, etc. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Victorian Lace Today.

1. I was curious about the one reviewer who gave this book only 1 star. She says that there are many mistakes in the directions. If that is indeed true, it's a shame, given that this book is simply gorgeous. I don't generally follow patterns, so I'm not all that concerned with the accuracy of them.
   
   So, for my purposes, this book warrants five stars. The knitting is absolutely stunning, as are the photographs of them. I never tire of browsing through this book. For that, it's inspirational.



2. I saw this book referrenced on many blogs and sites. Saw alot of finished projects either directly from, or based on patterns in this book and they were gorgeous. I am a careful buyer so I decided to check the book out of the library and ordered it the next week!
   I'm an experienced (not expert), but slow knitter so I know if and when I get around to actually using it for a pattern it will be great and easy to use. But the pictures, the scenery, and the history that's included in the book make it worth the buy even if you don't plan on actually knitting one of the shawls. Each pattern is explained, where it came from, charted into sections so you can easily adapt an edge to a different shawl, or a simple scarf, take a middle chart for a sweater sleeve, it's very versatile! And very beautiful.



3. This has beautiful patterns, with clear directions. All of the patterns are wearable in todays fashions, and many are timeless. This will keep me busy for years to come!



4. This is a very interesting book for both the sophisticated knitter and the beginner. The shawls and scarves seem unique and challenging to make. The book is well organized with beautiful phots and clear directions. I can't wait to have the time to try making some!



5. I love this book. I'm a beginning lace knitter, so it will be awhile before I get to some of the greater projects in here. However, there are a couple of patterns I can aspire to right now. It's so pretty, I leave it out for others to look at. Of course, this makes people ask for the garments! Someday, maybe.

1 comments about The Blue Jean Book: The Story Behind the Seams.

1. This book is a middle school/high school age level book that looks at the history of blue jeans. It is well written, covering the history of jeans from their invention through to today's high end fashion jeans.
   
   The history of jeans is covered in chapters that each spans several decades. In later chapters, some of the social aspect of jeans is evaluated as well, including such phenomena as smuggling into Eastern European Bloc countries during the 70s and 80s, moving of manufacturing to low wage countries, and the problems associated with boot legged jeans.
   
   The book is copiously illustrated with photographs and reproductions of old advertising material.
   
   This is a great book, for its intended age, at a look at the history and social facets of blue jeans. I would recommend it for any student with interest in the subject matter.

No comments about Sante D'orazio: A Private View.

No comments about American Hooked and Sewn Rugs: Folk Art Underfoot.

No comments about The Art of Watching Films: Student CD-ROM.

No comments about VOY DE COMPRAS.

3 comments about The Boutonniere: Style in One's Lapel.

1. A boutonniere is so rarely seen these days that any man who wears one will almost automatically set himself apart from the crowd. The trick, of course, it to do it in a way that suggests timeless artistry, and not that water will come squirting out of it, or that the wearer is a refugee from the junior prom. There's a big difference between a stylish mini carnation tucked into your buttonhole and a giant mass of babies-breath and rose held on with a safety pin.

   This handy little guide is all most men should need to navigate the largely unknown waters of boutonniere-wearing. Much of the book, necessarily, traces flower-wearing through history, with a focus on the British royal family and various dandies of times past. A few profiles of modern men who keep the tradition alive are also included, as well as helpful suggestions about various types of flowers to wear, what to wear with what kind of jacket, and even alternatives to the jacket lapel like vests and overcoats.

   Take a stand for personal style and start wearing a flower from time to time. If you're unsure about how or whether, let this book help you get started. Once you do, you may never look back.




2. The Boutonniere Style in One's Lapel is a great book. It is lovely just to page through. It is interesting to read . And it looks great just laying around the apartment. There are so many great pictures of famous people, stars and royality, all wearing a boutonniere. You seldom see boutonnieres any more and that's a pity. Such a small addition to the clothes a man wears but such a great fashion plus. This book helps you appreciate the boutonniere.



3. I recently purchased this book at a local Brioni clothing dealer, and I've been pleased with its content. The book is brief, but this is such a specialized topic that it is abundant enough.

   The book starts with a historic narration of flowers in men's clothing, moves on, to more recent well-dressed men that wear them, and then to examples of elegant more modern combinations that include the use of boutonnieres.

   This is not a "picture book" only, it includes essays on the topics that are well written and inspire the reader to become an impeccable dresser, and this is what Brioni is all about.

No comments about Henry VIII and the Art of Majesty: Tapestries at the Tudor Court (Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art).

1 comments about Gothic Patterns (Agile Rabbit Editions).

1. The pepin press/agile rabbit editions are always worth it, great books!!