1 comments about Spezial Fotografie: Rankin (Portfolio, Number 32).

1. This series is an absolutely amazing value for money, very large, high quality print photos at a very reasonable price.
   
   Rankin's photos are masterful - technically brilliant, thought provoking yet playfull.
   
   Triple thumbs up.

No comments about The Fabulous Story of Fashion (Young Reading Gift Books).

2 comments about Civil War Gentlemen: 1860'S Apparel Arts & Uniforms.

1. This book has some good Civil War uniform information and patterns contained in it. Since there are very few "real" surviving patterns these patterns are helpful. There are pictures and information about the styles and types of cloth patterns, ie stripes and paiselys. Men used shawls in this period, something you do not see in photos. Lincoln's favorite shawl was a paisely which was popular in the 1860's image that. That information came from the other book you should have with this one, The Practical Handbook of Cutting on the Center Point System 1866. Civil War Gentlemen: 1860's Apparel Arts & Uniforms, contains the cutting information on the first American original suite design. That draft was called the New York Walking Suite. Designs prior to this time were from England and French designs. America gave the world the "Business Suite" during the era of the Civil War. This era launched America into a modern war, and a modern industrial nation. This book requires advanced skills and the patterns are small for the modern figure.



2. This book is chuck full of engravings, illustrations, patterns and photos of the period. I have been reenacting for 6 years and have never seen a better book on men's clothing of the 1860's. The only drawings in the book that are not from the period are very detailed drawings of original clothing items housed in the smithsonian and museum of the Confederacy.If you are at all interested in men's clothing history this is a great book for you.

3 comments about Celtic Design: Spiral Patterns.

1. The book's about 1/4 running and infill designs, 1/2 medallion, and 1/4 history of spiral design. Useful stuff, and powerful in an ancient way. The work I've carved based on this material sold the first time out.



2. This is an excellent book for those looking to create celtic designs.

   This book teaches about the prehistoric spiral, the megalithic spiral then goes through early & middle celtic spirals. It then follows into the insular and golden age spirals.

   The book is best used when accompianied by Aidan's other Celtic Design books. I have 7 of the books in this series and love them all!

   All in all this is a great book for someone looking to create celtic designs.




3. Meehan is not only the most proflific writer of celtic pattern books, but one of my favorite to read. A warning here, these are fairly serious books for people that are truly caught by the art of the Celts and wish to know more about it. These are not clip art books nor stencils. Meehan does a beautiful job of joining historical information and the construction. In reading books you know that he loves this subject. His books are full of tantalizing hints into another world that throws around terms like 'the Waldalgesheim pattern'. Which he does explain, but leaves one with the desire to run out and find a book specific to that subject and learn more. Short of doing what I suspect might be doctoral work on the subject, reading Meehan's books are the way to go. He also has a useful appendix of terms in the back. My favorites in this book however are the discussion on the triskele, the triple sprial patterns, which are not considered knotwork per se, and are therefore not to be found in the standard books on knotwork. This book also covers some of the more freeform curving designs that do not come under the knotwork category. Well worth the read.

No comments about Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota.

1 comments about What I Wore Mini Journal (Potter Style).

1. I didn't like this Journal compared to other Potter Style mini journals (such as the What I Bought Journal and the What I Read Journal). This isn't quite as personalized and I wasn't as pleased with the layout. It's definitely attractive looking and the idea for it is good. I hope someone makes a better version of it. I wound up never using it.

No comments about Christian Dior and I.

1 comments about Fearless Fashion (What's Your Style?).

1. Fun illustrations and pictures. Love the background the author gives about the trends. My daughter has this on her bedside table for inspiration. She loves it!

No comments about European Costume and Fashion 1490-1790 (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1 comments about Designer Fabrics of the Early '60s (Schiffer Design Book).

1. When I saw the prints on the cover I had higher expectations. Inside the book, I found the designs repetitive and uninspired, not what you expect from the 60's.