5 comments about Barbie Fashion: Vol. 1, 1959-1967 (Barbie Doll Fashion).

1. I must admit, I'm not as crazy about this book like everyone else seems to be. I gave it four stars for the beautiful photos, and descriptions.
   But I think some things could be improved. The index lists everything by page number, which is fine if you're just leisurely looking through the book. But if you're looking for one particular outfit, it would be much more convenient to have an alphebetical listing. I wouldn't mind seeing the price guide broken down to include each individual accessory, since many people put together a complete set, piece by piece. But the thing that REALLY bugs me is that she almost always adds the word 'doll' after their names. For example, 'On weekends, Ken doll liked to take Barbie doll for a drive...', or 'Francie doll was excited about...'. Very annoying, to me, anyway. But, overall, it's a very good book to have.



2. To say something about this book is so so easy - this is THE Barbie collection book. Great photos, great describtions of all the outfits year by year.
   You don't need any other book besides this



3. Great book - a must for any Barbie collector-great pictures with accessories that originally went with each outfit- easy to look up values-great fun to wander through!!



4. A great reference book with great photos and descriptions to keep track of your dolls clothes and your investment.



5. For any serious collector of vintage Barbie doll, this book is the best resource available. I have many other books on early Barbie and her fashions, but this volume is the one that I consistently use. It is an accurate, comprehensive chronology of Barbie doll, her family and friends from 1959 through 1967. The photographs alone are worth purchasing the book. The colors are vibrant and crisp. Each fashion is pictured with all of its original components. This is of great value to the collector in putting together an outfit. I keep this book by my computer for reference when making vintage Barbie doll purchases or bidding on online auctions. I cannot imagine collecting Barbie doll items without it!

5 comments about Designing Knitwear.

1. I had read that in order to effectively design knitwear, you need this book. That article was 100% correct. This is a fantastic reference for the knitwear designer because Deborah Newton has been in the field for decades, and has a solid grasp on how to design regular garments. This translates for very informed discussions on why you'd choose to construct the garment of choice and the designer touches you would add for polish. If you are a serious knitter who has always wanted to create your own designs, then this book is for you!!



2. If you are feeling a little 'tied in knots', or limited, after following everyone else's patterns, and want to branch out a bit, this is the book for you. It is an embarassment of riches in inspiration and options. Designing Knitwear will give you much information, and the boost you need, to get those creative juices flowing. It's got a lot of suggestions for looking in some unlikely places for knitting design inspiration. It also has patterns for some high fashion sweaters, suits, and jackets. As such, this book will never go out of style, as you simply select the elements you want, and plug them into your project design.
   
   The sections on garment construction, and the effect of patterned stitches are detailed, clearly written, and easy to understand.
   
   The basics are all there for planning the construction of a project. The patterns included also provide ample opportunity to take the suggested pattern, and modify it to make it truly your own. The information is solid, sensible, and you can find lots of ways to integrate the suggestions into adjustments, or a whole new design. New yarns seem to arrive in shops every season, and this book gives you clear directions for evaluating any yarn for any project.
   
   Deborah Newton also includes much explanation and detail regarding various types of construction, from smocks to sweaters, to dressmakers designs. Some of the patterns given might not appeal to everyone, but everyone can use the information to make a smashing design of their very own. There is lots of information on stitch selection, and the effects that can be obtained with varying stitches.
   
   The details given are really helpful, particularly for elements of garment design that you see in fashion magazines, but rarely in knitting books. This is one of the very best collections of information about a wide variety of design options, and done in detail I've never encountered before. I've knitted for decades, and if I'd only had this book when I was wanting to 'improve' on some sweater patterns, I'd have avoided hours of ripping and starting over.
   
   Ms. Newton has me thinking of projects for next winter's knitted presents. And, I may just find a use for those oddments of yarn that could be combined into a wild and wonderful jacket, incorporating stitch designs that I'd have never considered prior to reading this book.
   
   Knitting allows you to control every aspect of garment construction, from texture, to size, to sleeve design, to collar...the options are endless. This is a book that will give any knitter inspiration and confidence to really be creative.
   
   I'd recommend this book for every knitter who is seeking perfect fit, perfect design, and ways to select new yarns for any project. The only limitation is your imagination. Designing Knitwear is encyclopedic in its scope and very well done indeed. The only problem you might have is figuring out which, of the endless options, will be right for your next project.



3. I wanted to learn how to design, and I tend to need plenty of visuals when I'm learning something, so this book is wonderful to have. Tons of pictures and the text is clear and informative of course.



4. First, the good: there is a lot of information here about different fibers, explanations of silhouettes, ease, and different styles that is very helpful. There are tips on sketching and charting your own designs, as well as structural details of different styles, e.g. set-in sleeves, saddle shoulders. Much of the information is opinionated, but the author usually explains her reasoning.

   The bad: I found many of her technical explanations incomplete and/or difficult to follow (and I've been knitting for about 10 years). I also found the many (many, many) self-gratulating personal references a bit tiresome. 'This is how I do this,' 'I like to do that,' 'Let me tell you all about a perfectly brilliant design idea I had one day while waiting for the bus,' etc. Somehow I got the impression the author has an air of superiority, as if to say her way is NATURALLY the best way, if not the only way. Maybe this irritated me more because I disliked most of her designs and thought them all but unwearable. If you're into 'haute couture' or 'wearable art,' you might enjoy them more; I prefer to design garments which are more subtle.... or, as she might say, 'bland and pedestrian.' (If that means saying "No" to big bulky coats knitted of fuzzy chartreuse mohair, complete with giant buttons, then color me bland and pedestrian.)

   Bottom line: For the technical and structural elements of design, this book is worth looking into, but I'm still looking for a better knitting design book.




5. I am only a beginning knitter but I've checked this book out of the library several times in the past couple of years. The photos are gorgeous; even the pictures of swatches are eye-candy. This is not a book of patterns, rather, it is a sort of 'how-to' book for design inspiration using various sources; old photographs, coutour fashion, sewing patterns, and of course beautiful yarns and fibers. Don't pass this up if you are not ready to design your own knits. It will inspire you to keep knitting and treat yourself to some gorgeous yarns even if it is only one skein to make swatches from. This book is as much about the process, or journey as it is about the finished product. I was tickled the first time I checked out the book and discovered the author was from Rhode Island. Since then, I've wondered if she still lives here and holds workshops.

5 comments about Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1: Undergarments, Bodices, Skirts, Overskirts, Polonaises, and Day Dresses 1877-1882.

1. I am very pleased with this book and I think it gives a load of information for a very reasonable price.
   
   The book (together with vol.2) is overfilled with all kinds of garments you can imagine and for each sort of garment there are always many styles.
   
   It is not directly a drafting book, it does not tell you how to draft your own bodice etc. by using your measurements, but the method of using the patterns and the enlarging rulers is very close to that and, as I think, it might produce a very good substitution for a custom-drafted dress with saving a lot of your time and being very simple to do. It is something between custom drafting and pre-sized patterns, because you create the garments by using your bust and back length measurement, which are the two most important measurements for making a garment suited to your proportions and it will probably need only little easy modifications like adding/substracting from waist and hip width and maybe some changes for the front length. But all possible and most frequent modifications are very well explained in the book.
   
   It is all written in such a way that even with no or little knowledge of drafting, you'll be able to produce a probably very well fitted garments.
   
   For a drafting professional, it's a good help when doing things like skirts, especially draped overskirts and all garments creating a shape or silhouette that is hard to figure out. Even if you won't use the patterns for enlarging and draft the things yourself, you can very well keep to the shape of the patterns as you can see, unlike in so many pattern books, NUMBERS.
   
   I think this book has the best ratio of the price and the information given of all costume book I've come through. It's a pity that there are no such books for earlier periods:-(



2. This is a great book for seamstresses with some experience(I think it would be too hard for beginners.It would be good if you have some comprehenesion on sizing(drafting patterns yourself for example)but that isn't even necessary.I think it would be easier though:)
   
   Frances Grimble gives clear instructions for changing patterns to size and even to different body shapes(large bust, short back etc.
   You do need to take some time for this, but well, you'll have an authentic pattern in your hands, how great is that?;)And there are so many in this book! I was having a very hard time finding real historical patterns in The Netherlands(so far found one french journal from 1902)and I feel like a kid in a candystore now.:)I <3 this book already.
   
   You can make a complete outfit, from undergarments to overgarments.
   
   If you have some sewing experience and you love this period it is really a great book!
   
   
   
   Amazon's service is excellent too. It didn't take very long for the item to arrive(from US to the Netherlands)(with one step faster shipping, expidited?)it was even a lot faster then the estimated arrival time.



3. This book is wonderful. I believe I own every book Frances Grimble has written and anxiously await more. The variety of patterns is amazing and allows the experienced sewer to create their own designs from various components, like sleeves and collars. This sure beats trying to decipher the patterns in an original 1890's issue of Harpers!



4. This book contains patterns for the following:
   corsets, hoopskirts and bustles (some)
   underclothing and negligee wear (quite a few)
   day and evening skirts (only about four)
   day bodices (quite a few)
   evening bodices (some)
   overskirts (some)
   polonaises (some)
   day dresses (quite a few)
   
   some = around ten
   quite a few = over 20
   
   I would recommend this book for anyone who likes victorian costuming. It not only works as a pattern book, but as a source book, having lots of pictures you can use for reference. Even if you just look through it, it really can help you understand the styles of that era.



5. The pictures and descriptions within the book are an excellent reference if you are researching and intending on recreating one of these beautiful designs. Advanced knowledge of sewing skills is a must for those who wish to recreate these (definantly not for the novice sewer). Frances Grimble, you've done it again. Please keep them coming. I will buy every book you put out.

2 comments about Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage.

1. A very pleasant well presented book, with great attention to the details of good paper and clear colourful photos. The printed information is interesting and the colour photographs inspiring. I liked the book very much as a frivolous delightful dip into the world of bling.



2. FABULOUS FAKES: A PASSION FOR VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY is much more than just another identification or pricing guide: it captures and shares the author's own enthusiasm for the history and background of costume jewelry, offering chapters spiced with numerous color photos. Her pieces accompany a running history of vintage costume jewelry from Victorian to modern times, offering excellent and vivid insights into show-stopping pieces. A 'must' for any serious collecting library, especially those covering costume jewelry.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

1 comments about Gianni and Donatella.

1. Most of the photographs in this book are similar to the one on the cover. About 2/3 of them are black and white, and a lot of them are out of focus or somewhat abstract. But having said all that, I personally love the photography. It is very artistic, and most of the photos fill almost the full size of the page.
   
   The majority of the photos are of the models either on the runway or backstage. I don't know my models very well, but I know there are quite a few pictures of Kate Moss in the book.
   
   You get a good general idea of what a lot of the clothing at the show looked like, but these are not typical fashion runway photographs, so you often don't see the full piece of clothing in the shot. I personally don't mind that, but I mention it because there might be people out there that care.
   
   Overall, I like this book quite a bit, and am glad to have it as part of my collection.

No comments about Vogue Covers: On Fashion's Front Page.

No comments about One-Piece Wearables: 25 Chic Garments and Accessories to Sew from Single Pattern Pieces (Domestic Arts for Crafty Girls).

1 comments about Patterns in Design, Art and Architecture.

1. I bought it to be stimulated with erotic patterns like the ones you see on the cover and a few pictures shown here, and I got more than what I asked for. I get dizzy going through this book. I think it would ease my confusion if the book were organized in the order other than the names of artists/designers/architects. As for the ornaments in architecture, it seems to be short of rigor to read it as a continuation on the line of discussion. However, being introduced to artists/designers I did not know about was something I needed, and the captions in the back of the book are quite good. I would recommend it if you were interested in it as a reference catalogue for these reasons.

5 comments about Dress in Detail From Around the World.

1. I returned this book to Amazon because it did not meet my needs. Each garment portrayed in this book is portrayed in the same way. There are 2 graphics for each garment portrayed. One is a detailed drawing of each complete garment and the other is a detailed or close-up photograph of a small portion of the garment. My problem is that there were no complete photographs of any of the garments. I was surprised the authors chose not to photograph any of the garments portrayed in their entirety. Not one! A drawing doesn't come close to a photograph. And a close-up photograph of only a portion of the garment is not enough as well. You need a complete photograph of the entire garment in order for the reader to get the proper feel for a garment.



2. This is indeed a beautiful book, but it is also maddening! A full length color photo of each garment should have been included to demonstrate how the detail relates to the whole and the black and white line drawings don't do it.



3. This book features pictures of details from extant ethnic costumes from more than fifty countries. Next to each picture is a flat (line drawing) of the whole garment, which allows you to see construction and some stitching details, as well as the overall shape. Descriptions alongside each flat include mention of the gender, class, time period, and ethnicity of a person who might wear the garment, as well as a context in which they might do so.
   
   The organization is a little odd, since it relates to the particular detail featured (e.g. "Necklines", or "Pleats and Gathers") but the index allows a search by place, which is very helpful. It also includes a map, glossary, and suggestions for further readings. Students interested in cultural dress will enjoy this brief introduction, though for more in-depth studies of a region, they should look into other resources.



4. This is one of the most gorgeous and inspirational dress/costume books I've ever seen. The photos are clear, detailed, and focus on all the right things. If you're looking for design ideas or just eye candy, this fits the bill. It's a pity amazon.com doesn't remove the one-star review. His complaint has nothing to do with the book itself--just poor HTML linking on amazon's part. This book deserves to have a solid five-star rating. (6/9/06--I'm happy to see the one-star review was removed)



5. Dress in Detail from around the world is one of the most inspirational books I have purchased. It expands your paradigm for designing your own patterns using the line drawings of these costumes. The embellishments, closures and use of multiple fabric combos is endless. The designs are simple and yet elegant depending on your choice in fabric. I feel they are adaptable to many figure types. I loved the focus of detail on necklines and cuffs as well as closures!

1 comments about Yves Saint Laurent (Memoirs).

1. For those who are fashion addict, but not only for the trends, this book is a "must have". In a group of very representative photos you will find a good summary of his work. One jewel, Mister Bergé, former Yves Saint Laurent Couture President and close friend of him introduce the book with the conviction of somebody who was with him since the begining. I love it.