2 comments about African Elegance.

1. The price tag of AFRICAN ELEGANCE represents a bargain for an oversized feature loaded with full-page color photos throughout: any university art library and quite a few community library general lending collections will find it an outstanding addition to any African cultures section. Author Etagale Blauer's years of travel in Africa lends to his feature and interpretation of the masks and ritual objects which are a part of African cultural beliefs and values. Displays link cultural traditions to materials, adaptations, and choices in artistic rendering. Highly recommended: a top value and a top pick.



2. This is a beautiful book, full of gorgeous color photos. It highlights the unique and extrordinary costumes of the peoples of africa. A delight!

5 comments about Costuming from the Hip.

1. This is a really good book for all dancers to read. Understanding costume basics is important even if you are not making your own. I keep this in the classroom for students to look through. I put each page in a page protector and inserted them all in a notebook. The girls love using it as a reference and I recommend they get their own copies and start building their bellydance libraries.



2. a very good scource/reference book[let],more of it would have been good,as was bit thin on pages, but still an exellent ideas book with drawings & explanations easy to understand, i liked it.



3. I'm a beginning bellydancer but an experienced seamstress.My specialty is in proms/bridesmaid/formal wear.Love that this book is spiral bound for laying flat. Lots of good quick ideas, with variations & samples to enhance & create more ornate costumes. Some of the projects will be easier with some sewing experience(some of the instructions might be a little unclear at first reading) but most can be created with minimal sewing skills. It is a good starting point.I consider this book a definite plus in my sewing library for branching out into costuming.The ideas presented go beyond just bellydance and can be used in other areas of dance and/or costuming. I have several of Devine's books on my wish list.



4. The first in a series of these types of books, which are aimed at the amateur sewer as well as the professional designer. Just because it is a belly dancing costuming manual should not limit those interested in sewing and making costumes in general. This is a comprehensive guide to allow you to create your own designs, and not slaveishly following someone elses pattern and creation, and is a must in anyones personal library who are interested in fashion/costuming and theatre. This book also touches on the tradional costumes of the Middle and Far East throughout the ages, as well as theatrical costuming tips and design for every body type. Plus it includes patterns and design ideas, as well as dozens of graphics to illustrate the author's information.



5. i buy this book for my girlfriend...its not a book, its a stapled pile of paper at the price of a hardcover book

2 comments about Dress at the Court of King Henry VIII.

1. I just recently got this book, and am just loving it. Much Like Elizabeth I's Wardrobe Un'locked, it drips with all the information I love to read. As a Costumer, it gives deeper insight into creating accurate costumes. When I first fell in Love with the Tudor Era, I didnt realize just how little REAL information there was to the construction, fabrics, the real names of pieces of clothing and such. This really lays out the details of who, what and where. I will be able to use this resource for many years to come.



2. This book has a lot of information covering the age of Henry VIII, the Tudor King of England in the early part of the 16th century. There is information regarding the fashion styles of his wives, sisters, and children. I would suggest this book for those who are into researching this time period for costuming, and who can form their own conclusions on the research provided. I would not suggest this book for those looking for a how-to on costume creation.
   
   I looked forward to this book for over a year, and ... was a little frustrated when I was able to read some of the sections. There is a lot of info waiting for the reader, from the written inventories that survive that is given in the appendix. There are a number of images of interest, most of which I have seen in other books I've collected, but here they are available in one book, some of which are in color (most are in b&w).
   
   One of my frustrations dealt with three images that provide a front, side and back view of a man's extant short gown; the kind of gown Henry is commonly seen wearing. But there is only a one sentence mention (that I've found so far) of these photos of this surviving garment, and that one sentence says very little. If these are of a surviving garment, and the garment is still available to look at, then it would have been a lot more help to people to actually provide info on the inside view, or how the pleats are attached, or something more than the one little sentence and three photos. I do appreciate those three photos, tho. I've not seen them anywhere else, and I can't even find them online at the museum they are in (but that server connection keeps dying, so I can't explore for long).
   
   Another area I had issues with covered fur collars and capes, and the author cited another author's article on this. I've had the pleasure of meeting Prof. Tawny Sherrill ("Fleas, Fur, and Fashion: Zibellini as Luxury Accessories of the Renaissance"). Ms Sherrill in her scholarly article proved the term of "flea furs" as being a Victorian term, not a word that's really appropriate to the use or wearing of furs (especially zibellini - the point of Sherrill's article), but Ms. Howard not only cites Sherrill's article, but continues to use the "flea fur" term, perpetuating this costuming myth to her readers.
   
   Another area; Ms Hayward goes into commentary of later women's dress... and suggests a new masculine style of bodice, possibly a doublet with what is modernly called a "Medici collar", although she admits that none of the records has any entries for women's doublets. I've done Tudor costume and research for awhile. To me the two images she offers appear to be the standard gown with a high necked partlet of black that is a different material than the gown. The third portrait appears to be a long loose gown. The only thing all three have in common is the style of their collars. If there is possible support for a doublet style, she should have provided some more info to prove this, especially since she does cover partlets as a garment item, so she is aware of them.
   
   These items have cast a shadow of doubt over the rest of Ms. Howard's conclusions in her book.
   
   On the good side so far (as I am still reading this book... it is pretty extensive). There are aspects that I've not seen elsewhere, like the original transcriptions for the Wardrobe accounts from different time periods of Henry's reign. There are a few images I've not seen elsewhere, either, including the extant garment images I've mentioned. I really like the inventory listing in the back. This is nice, and similar to the inventory listing in QEWU. I can't wait to get into reading this further.
   
   Maria's conclusions at a few points are a bit... stretched, as I've already mentioned. But the amount of info included, including a break down of different garments by name vs the years they are worn, and a color chart and fabric chart that is similar. The new images, some other quotes and comments found from other original sources, and more, are things that are not found in other books I've read.
   
   The book author states this book was done in the style of Janet Arnold's "Queen Elizabeth Wardrobe Unlock'd". There are a lot of good and well researched information from various written texts, surviving textiles, and the inventory transcripts... but there are aspects that have left me a bit frustrated considering the updated research that is available today.

1 comments about Ethnic Dress : A Comprehensive Guide to the Folk Costume of the World.

1. Got questions about what people wear outside of your neck of the woods? Need to know what a burga is? Then celebrate the dress of persons who do not subscribe to westernized apparel. Clothing in most parts of the world is not just about being a shield from the elements but a way to express spiritual, ritual and social beliefs. The book is concise with text and color photographs of contemporary dress from the continents of North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, The Middle East, Central Asia & The Caucasus, Southeast Asia, India, The Far East and Oceania. The price for this book is a great value!

4 comments about Heavenly Handmade Bags: Over 25 Designs to Stitch, Knit, Embroider, and Embellish.

1. This is the first how make a handbag book that I purchased. I based the buy on sight unseen and on the good reviews on Amazon. Well, the reviews at the lowerer end are much more accurate. I call this book boring and mostly useless. The designs are not contemporary and the bags all look homemade. Sorry, but for the price of this book, I suggest buying a better resource book that has some substance to it. Anyonw know such a handbag book? I am looking for the best one.



2. I recently saw a lady carrying the most amazing tote bag I've ever seen in my life. I have an eye for crafts, and I immediately suspected that this bag was a one-of-a-kind purchased in a boutique for crazy money, was made by the wearer who must be the most talented artist in the world, or she had hit it very lucky at the garage sale of a millionaire with fabulous taste and money to burn.
   
   Since I couldn't help but stop and ask her, I found out that none of my assumptions were actually true. The lady had purchased this very book, followed directions and added on some interesting twists and turns of her own, using some upholstery fabric suggesting museum-quality (to my eye) and lined it with satin.
   
   That lady's tote bag was utterly drop-dead amazing. I tracked down this book on Amazon and will soon begin the museum-quality tote bag of my own dreams.
   
   Heavenly Handmade Bags: Over 25 Designs to Stitch, Knit, Embroider & Embellish by Sue Hawkins is the key to become that woman with the purse that everyone admires!



3. too over the top crafty cutesy for my taste. If you like that kind of look - you'll enjoy it, otherwise - try something plainer



4. A great book to fire the imagination. Lots of ideas and colorful illustrations. A very good guide for getting started.

5 comments about Draping for Fashion Design.

1. This book is ok if you want to learn how to drape. I have been patternmaking for a very long time and find this book to come up short. The pictures are not the best. Well there not pictures. They are hand drawn sketches that are not very well done or clear to the steps in the directions. There are much better draping books at a better cost. This one is not worth the price!



2. I bought this book several years ago and couldn't use it then. I didn't have a basic understanding of some terms that were used; I was very lost. So, I put it on my bookshelf and started sewing using commercial patterns, and it helped. Last week I took the book off the shelf and understood what I was reading. I made my first basic bodice-front, in two days. I did it just by following the directions. I would suggest that anybody who wants to use this book, would first have basic understanding of clothing construction and it's terms. Even though it took a while, I would still suggest this book to any novice or design student who ambitious enough to learn the craft of draping.



3. with this book I could start immediately with this technique, fully new to me.
   I was happy with every cent I paid it!!!
   
   a basic handbook with clear instructions, there is no way to fail it.
   excellent for a starter



4. A great book for anyone with sewing, patternmaking, and clothing design experience. Not a novice book, however. You need to understand clothing design and patternmaking terminology to use this book. Well written, well illustrated.



5. This book is awesome!!! I'm 26, have sewn from patterns (and modified patterns) since I was 10. But with this book, I've found a more satisfying and immediate approach. I read reviews of several draping books, and this seemed the most straightforward. Since it was created specifically for an class, it if full of instructions and specifics. Most of the excercises show a bulleted list of steps, broken down simply, that you just have to jump in and do. If you try to read for comprehension, you'll never get it. Very hands on, and very to the point........
   
   .......I mean, there's no BS from a grandma who taught herself to drape boxy quilted blazers, and then gives tips on where and how to bedazzle said blazers. Which is the approach that about 99% of sewing books take. I mean to say that it is timeless, ageless, and just what you need to feel confident in making whatever you imagine.
   
   Order this book! Buy a form and some supplies and show us what you've got!!!

2 comments about The Soul Stylists: Sixty Years of Modernism.

1. This book is pretty modest. It sits at just over 200 pages, but because its more of an oral history, there's a lot of white space and that cuts down on the "true" size of the book. You'll be surprised at how quickly the pages go by.
   
   It is a great book though. Hewitt's writing is suplimented with bits of interviews from original players of the day (names like Ann Sulivan, Ian Hebditch, Cox, etc.) all of whom share their personal input into the clothes, the music...everything. The interview segments are the absolute best part and without them this book would just be a long essay from Paolo.
   
   I wish it were longer. I wish there were more lifted from the interviews. I wish there were pictures. I have "Mod: A Very British..." and its not as if I'm lacking photos of the era, but I just think a few personal ones from the people in the book would have really beenfitted this book.
   
   I'd pay as much as forty dollars to have this book in my collection. As it is, I only paid $9. Good deal, good book.



2. This modest-looking little paperback is an amazing collection of primary sources for anyone studying the fashions or culture of these groups. Well organized and well edited, and a fascinating read.

2 comments about Sew Baby Doll Clothes: Instructions and Full-size Patterns for 30+ Projects for 12" to 22" Dolls.

1. Joan Hinds has now done for 15" baby dolls what she did for 18" dolls. This book has many possibilities for baby doll wardrobes. Patterns are full sized and sewing directions are clear. I'm enjoying using this book.



2. Like all of her books for 18" dolls, this book contains many great patterns along with easy to understand, well written directions. Great pictures let you see the finished as reference in addition to the directions.

No comments about The Medieval Horse and its Equipment, c.1150-1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London).

3 comments about Making Leather Purses & Totes.

1. This book has really great projects even for those of us who haven't done a lot of leather crafting before. There are some really unique looks that I know would look great with my wardrobe.



2. This book is beautifully done, but suffers from the problems I've seen in other books on leather bags. The actual leather bag patterns are too small to be practical for use. Many of the bags as shown appeal only to young girls playing dress up. This is not to say that they couldn't be made tasteful, if still undersized. A few of the projects, surprisingly, are only accented by leather and are otherwise store bought bags. There are some good ideas in this book, but not enought to justify the price for the already accomplished leatherworker. I don't recommend it, and would have returned it if the shipping both ways would not have exceeded the cost of the book.



3. Can't wait to try some of the project. This book give
   leather craft a new look.