4 comments about Transparency in Textiles.

1. Excellent photographs and explanation of the projects of the work presented in this publication. This takes, collage, layering, stitching, fusing etc., a step further. If you're not into Surface Design with mixed media you can always use this for a fabulous coffee table conversation piece.



2. If you are a beginner in textile art then this would be a great book to have in your library. It's an attractive glossy book, the instructions are very clear, and it covers a lot of techniques. However I was personally disappointed in the book for several reasons.
   
   Firstly I found that most of the information I already had in other books e.g. "Surfaces for Stitch: Plastics, Films & Fabric", "Layers of Stitch: Contemporary Machine Embroidery", "On the Surface: Thread Embellishment & Fabric Manipulation", and "Complex Cloth: A Comprehensive Guide to Surface Design", and any embroidery technique book.
   
   Secondly, it took a broader view of the term "transparency" than I would have, and many of the pieces are quite opaque.
   
   Thirdly, I thought a lot of the examples of the textile art were downright ugly, although I know this is a very personal and subjective judgment.
   
   Finally, I think a better title would have been "Transparency in Textile Art". Some techniques would be transferable to textiles for clothing, but most would not, unless you're making something in the wearable art category.
   
   The full list of techniques in the book are:
   
   running stitch on sheer fabric, sheer fabrics layered with stitch
   traditional shadow embroidery, and seed stitching, on sheer and net
   layering sheers with bondaweb
   random pleating, gathering and folding on sheers, held in place with free hand machine embroidery
   Brushing wax on fabrics, and using wax as a resist for dyeing (both fabric and glassine/translucent/plain paper)
   Mono-printing onto tissue, layering between organdie, applying wax and iron, then over-stitching
   Oiling paper and over-stitching
   Embroidering onto soluble/burnable fabric e.g. Lutrador, Solvy, then dissolving/burning away fabric
   Weaving open-weave fabrics using embroidery threads on a simple card frame
   Making silk paper
   Wool felting (thin layers of colored wool allow underlayers to show through, or leave holes to make a lacy effect)
   Stitching on sheers in lots of different threads, to achieve layers of varying translucency
   Stitching, painting and printing on acetate sheets (OHP Sheets), cellophane, PVC, old photographic film, and clear film
   Hand sewing together sheets of hard acrylic sheeting (drill holes first)
   Drawing, burning, painting, bending hard acrylic sheeting
   Heat laminating textiles between hard acrylic sheeting
   Using acrylic painting gel mediums on textiles
   Pouring polymer resins on textiles
   Casting resin shapes encapsulating textiles
   Fibre optic fabrics (A single, incredibly general, page. How I WISH this had been more covered in more detail than to say "you can readily purchase the necessary equipment to add these lights to your work". I would love to - what equipment do I need? Tell me how, please?)
   Using natural and artificial lighting to show off the transparency
   Incorporating wire-wrapped semi-precious stones
   Incorporating metal shims
   
   There's also a chapter on getting inspiration and developing designs, and another on presenting your work
   
   An important note about wax. The author suggests brushing wax onto your fabric, letting it cool, then over-stitching on the machine. If you use paraffin wax and then put the fabric in your sewing machine, the wax will flake off in small pieces, drop through your feed dogs and cause mayhem. You'd want to use a micro-crystalline wax which is more flexible.
   
   If you like the sound of these techniques, and you don't already have information on them. then you will love this book.



3. This book by batsford offers something different. It explains how you can incorporate and use the aspect of transparency into your own work, without being a step by step guide making it a very useful addition to my library. I love the new techniques working with hard plastics, the burning and bending bit in particular. And the consideration of using light and the shadows as part of the design is inspired.
   I love it and so do all my friends. Brilliant!



4. I was really excited when I first saw this title because I have been working with transparency in textiles myself. I was hoping that this book might help me along the path. I also think that Batsford is a great publisher. This book does offer some very interesting techniques; using wax, stitching to distort, resin - many techniques that result in transparency - but transparency with rigidity. It's a good book really and I am certain that for many this will be a 4 or 5 star! It just was not quite what I personally had been hoping for.

5 comments about Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: Charity Guide for Knitters (Leisure Arts #4803).

1. This is a great guide for knitters who want to give something to society...the patterns are very workable and the book covers a number of different charitable organizations with a wide variety of items you can create.



2. Excellent Service. Fast Shipping. Book Arrived in Great Condition.Just the patterns I wanted.Thank You :)



3. This resource guide from beloved author Debbie Macomber is a colorful, challenging and heartwarming resource for knitters-or wannabe's! It gives info on chairities, patterns and useful information to help those with a heart to help others. Debbie's heart is shown here too and this is a delightful book to own, utilize--and share. Five starts!



4. It's an excellelnt charity knitting book. I inherited 20 totes of yarn when my mother-in-law died and needed information for it's use. Debbie Macomber's book lists organizations, their addresses and the type of knitted items needed, as well as some information about each organization. Instructions in the book are easy to follow and I will be able to knit truly useful items to donate.



5. This is a nice book, but I guess I was hoping for a little more information. Much of it was stuff I was already aware of - and I'd hoped to find out about more sources for charity knitting projects. Still , I'm glad I purchased it!

5 comments about Artful Applique: The Easy Way (That Patchwork Place).

1. "Having been a die-hard patchwork fan for many years," begins Jane in the introduction, "I thought there was very little reason for appliqué quilts to exist -- until Nancy Pearson's "Techny Chimes" stopped me dead in my tracks." I'm right there with you on that one, Jane. I have a picture of Techny Chimes in my inspiration scrapbook.
   
   "Beautiful hand appliqué is as individual as a fingerprint," Jane continues. This is a valuable sentiment, encouraging individuality and de-emphasizing the need for exact copying and perfection, which IMO takes away from the pleasure of the work.
   
   In the book Jane presents many unusual (to me) and innovative techniques for creating motifs -- partial stitching, modified cutwork, and unit construction. (Just goes to show how different brains work differently.) These methods enable tiny, rich details that still have turned edges.
   
   The appliqué information also shows how to achieve precision where precision is important, and individual, artful results where precision is less important.
   
   Leaves don't have to be green, did you know that? I know that, but I mostly forget it when I reach for my fabrics. You'll see some stunning results in the book's gallery of quilts where the quilters have reached past the green box.
   
   The gallery includes many beautiful quilts made by Jane and her students. The author then includes 16 appliqué blocks, each one with complete skill-building instructions. It's easy to see why this one is still in print after many years, it's a classic.
   
   Kay Mackenzie
   Author, Easy Applique Blocks: 50 Designs in 5 Sizes (That Patchwork Place)



2. I was very pleased with the service and product received from this vendor. It was fast. I was buying this for a member of my quilt bee and she was also very pleased.



3. Another excellent book by Jane Townswick. I am looking forward to expressing my artistic side in beautiful artwork. This book is very helpful with tools needed and forms of application. I am very impressed.



4. This is a must buy book for those interested in applique. I have many applique books and count this among the very best.



5. Over 130 pages of great instruction and realistic photos that show that anyone who takes the time can do applique. Not only are the designs that you can Xerox for patterns crisp, but the instruction is easy to read and follow. And the photos are exact size, so you see what you will get when you are done.

   I liked the book because it also says that we can choose our own material, which suits our own desires, where some books say you have to have this or that type of material made by this ir that maker, and you end up running all over the place and come home discouraged and throw your hands up and say *&%#@+ and vow never to try and do applique again.

   This is the book that can help you become less discouraged and a success at a wonderful art form.

5 comments about Stars by Magic: New Super-Easy Technique! Diamond-Free(r) Stars from Squares & Rectangles! Perfect Points and No Y-Seams!.

1. Like a lot of reviewers...I love the star blocks, but unless it was an Ohio or Friendship star, was VERY intimidated by them.
   
   I LOVE the fact that she has measurements for 10 different size blocks for each of the stars. My favorite is Block 2. The book has very well lain out, easy to follow directions and diagrams. Be sure to align up the seams and you'll have perfect stars!
   
   Keep the leftover scraps to make a scrappy doll quilt, baby quilt, even a lap quilt!
   I've recommended this book to all of my quilter friends...it's well used by all of us!



2. STARS by MAGIC is the definitive work on piecing quilts without using set-in seams! It's the second copy I've ordered because I lost my first copy and couldn't do without it. Nancy Johnson Srebro does the math for you for different sizes of quilt squares. If you are a quilter,you need this book! I love it.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1571202412/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_img



3. I purchased this book several years ago and have finally taken the HOUR to sit at the sewing machine and sew. What a pleasant, successful experience!! Follow Ms. Johnson's directions, particularly the pressing directions. I tried a 12" practice square - and am very happy with the results. I also recommend Ms. Johnson's Rotary Magic book, particularly for the cutting advice and pinning approach. These two books are among the most valuable in my rather extensive book collection. Thank you for such dedicated work.



4. I am a lover of star blocks and this book is great for making stars without having to deal with points. The instructions are easy to follow and the author gives you all the information you need to complete the blocks easily and timely. I would say the only drawback to the information in this book is that due to the technics used you will end up using more fabric than if you did the blocks in the tradional way. But again the technics used are much easier than tradional ways.



5. As I was reading "Stars by Magic", I wondered just how many more star ideas could be presented in this book than was given in "Block Magic". As I continued through the book, I found out that there are literally dozens of ways to put these squares and rectangles together to make wonderful new patterns.
   
   But I am ahead of myself. In the very beginning of the book, Nancy provides two "No-Fail" tips sections; one on sewing on the diagonal and one on pressing. Learn what she says and it will give your blocks a more professional look. Then, there is the "how-to" on reading the charts which tells you how to figure out the sizes of the squares and rectangles you need to make the blocks.
   
   30 block ideas later - no make that 90 blocks later as each block shows three different color-ways - I was eager to get out my fabric and try a few. The blocks range in size from 4" to 18". Putting a few 18" blocks together and you have a quilt in a hurry. By now, you realize there are cut-offs from making the blocks. WAIT! Don't throw them out (and what quilter would anyway!?), put them together and you get "bonus blocks and borders". The final pages of this book provide ten quilt maps. Oh my, which one do I start with first? If I have such a difficult choice to make, think what my students will have!
   
   Since my students now realize that making star patterns are not that difficult, they are eager to try other ideas such as taking one-fourth of a block to make borders and by just turning that same quarter block, they get whole new look. But don't just use them for borders, use the quarters together to make a whole quilt! With this book, I will be teaching "Stars by Magic" for several more classes!

5 comments about The Ehrman Needlepoint Book.

1. The Ehrman Needlepoint Book is an excellent addition to my library of needlepoint projects to complete. It is very inspirational and includes ideas on displaying needlepoint projects as well. There are projects that will appeal to many different styles of decor. The book introduced me to the website as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who admires needlepoint.



2. This is another one of those "I got ahead of my abilities" books. That does not mean I will not take the time to work at one of the ideas though.



3. Photography, staging and charts are beautifully done. This is a book to treasure and it will inspire you if you love needlepoint.



4. "The Ehrman Needlepoiont Book" is a delight. It has the most beautiful and original designs by leading designers. I couldn't have ben more pleased and am anticipating using one of the projests for a gift for my daughter.



5. Ordered this book around December 20 2008 but have not yet received it. I will edit this review if the book arrives.

5 comments about Tatted Snowflakes (Dover Needlework Series).

1. Very good pictures with clear directions. You'll want to make snowflakes all year round.



2. The size and difficulty of the snowflakes vary, some are even in 3d. In general, it's a collection of 6 point medalions, and a couple of 5 point stars. Some are very unique in design, a significant number use 2 shuttles if it matters to you. I thought this book was definitely worth the purchase. The snowflakes make a lovely tree, especially when combined with a few of the glass Christmas ball projects from "elegant tatting patterns."



3. Here we have a collection of snowflakes which uses a fairly varied range of techniques including tatted beadwork. The book includes basic instructions for tatting and the patterns are written in longhand with no diagrams.
   
   You will find most of the patterns can be done by someone who has learned the basics and some will be suitable for the beginner. Most of the snowflakes will require some stiffening but there are some pretty 3 dimensional ones which will be particularly good as ornaments. They can be used for window decorations, cards, Christmas decorations and lots of other things as well.
   
   The book represents good value for money especially if you enjoy making tatted snowflakes.



4. The individual photographs are close enough to count the stitches without using the written patterns. The designs range from beginning to advanced skills. Instructions about the process of tatting are clear and easy to follow. It can be difficult to learn to tat from a book, but not impossible. There are two 2-dimensional snowflakes and a few with beads and ribbons, perfect for holiday decorations.



5. I bought this book last fall and used it constantly throughout the holiday season, and I plan to use it to make more snowflakes during the remaining winter months. The patterns are varying, although I would like to have seen a few more and some that were more like actual snowflakes. You can tat these patterns in almost any size thread and add beads, glitter, sparkly thread to make them more lifelike, and they make great ornaments for the Christmas tree or decorations for windows or gifts. They're also nice to tat during the hot summer months when you think you're going to suffocate from the heat and humidity ; )

5 comments about Braiding Rugs: A Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-03.

1. I was very pleased with this short but informative booklet. The instructions are clear and simple and the illustrations are just as helpful. It is definitely the book to have if you are just starting out with rug braiding.



2. I ordered this publication because I was interested in making my own area floor rug using my own materials and colors, etc. This publication tells you how to braid your material, and then how to join into a shape to make a rug. It was a surprise to me that you can actually use the rug as your are making the rug....an idea that never occurred to me, but one that makes sense, especially when it gets very large. I enjoyed the book. Glad I purchased. Denise in Montana



3. I am very happy with the information in this book. I had done a little rug braiding on my own but just couldn't get it quite right. This book gave me the fine tuning I needed.



4. Braiding Rug: A Storey Country Wisdom is full of expertise and just basic needed knowledge for rug braiding.
   
   The book was in excellent condition and came sooner than the estimated time.



5. Short, simple, to the point and informative. I can't imagine you need much more information. Not full of fluff like most craft books.

4 comments about 400 Floral Motifs for Designers, Needleworkers and Craftspeople (Dover Pictorial Archive Series).

1. the 400 designs for needleworkers got me in I had to have one so I ordered two one for myself and the other for a friend
   I am delighted at the prompt delivery of you product and the cost . thankyou for your speedy service
   Eveliene



2. Fantastic book for craftspeople everywhere, the diagrams are clear and well drawn. A must to add to any crafty library.



3. I've been searching for some inspiration for an embroidered peasant blouse I've got in the works. Since I'm going to put in considerable time on the project, I'd really like to make it one-of-a-kind. That's why I was so thrilled to find 400 Floral Motifs for Designers, Needleworkers and Craftspeople. It's a lavish collection of 400 borders, centers, general allover patterns and more using an incredible array of flowers, birds and butterflies.
   
   Among the items to use are cornflowers, tulips, apple blossoms, violet and many, many more. There are also suggestions for combinations and the types of projects to use them for. I can't wait to try some of these out to add feminine touches to jeans and shirts.
   
   This is just a beautiful little book to enhance any design project you are working on.



4. Was happy to receive this purchase only 2 weeks from the date it was purchased.
   Very clear designs, well classified by possible usage, borders, centres, wreaths, corners, centres, powderings, allover pattersn, brids and butterflies, tablecloth centres and cushion squares, sprays.
   Good source of inspiration for artists to be.

2 comments about Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel.

1. Maybe it's my age -- why use tea towels as anything but tea towels? Okay, maybe Aunt Edith had dozens and left them all to you. In that case, the ideas are clever, the book is pretty, but not all instructions are clear.



2. great book, has lots of simple projects on all sewing levels. make great gifts with clever ideas and easy to follow patterns and instructions. everything from purse, slippers kids dolls to picnic blankets. a must for any sewing library.

5 comments about Softies Kit: Instructions and Tools for Creating 15 Plush Pals.

1. This little kit is a good value and the projects are adorable. I didn't really find anything new or exciting here.



2. I bought the family a sewing machine for Christmas, and am looking for books to help interest the kids in sewing. Do the projects in this book require a sewing machine?



3. When i bought the Softies Kit i thought that i would start a new hobbie of making softies. Much to my distaste the book did not easily describe how to make softies, and as an inexperienced beginner i struggled to understand how to begin, and didnt understand the instructions.
   
   The back of the book includes where you can buy materials to make softies.
   These resources are not that great frankly.



4. What a waste of money, I would totally return this if I could. There are some very cute patterns (all on the cover and back).Some of the patterns are so horribly ugly (read junk) that they look like they were created by a small child at summer camp. And all the patterns are on cards which makes it really easy to misplace.Most of all I want to stree these stuffies are REALLY REALLY tiny about 6 inches tall.
   From the cost of this you may think you are getting a "kit" you are not. You will get 2 small HORRIBLE pieces of super cheap felt which are totally see-through, 2 skiens of cross stitching floss, a pom pom lost in the first 5 seconds, a cheap needle and some batting in a plastic bag...some cards and a piece of paper with tiny patterns printed on them, the finished items (which you will need to buy a lot more stuff to complete)are so tiny they are hard to sew. Save your money and buy something else!



5. The front of the box contains a photo of 4 cute stuffed animals and it reads: "Instructions and tools for Creating 15 Plush Pals." This is not true. There are no materials included for creating any of the plush pals shown in the photo. There is a pattern and a needle and that's it.
   
   Turn the box over and on the back it lists "Other projects:" including the Party Cake. It turns out there is only enough material and thread to create the Party Cake. One cake; no cute animals as shown on the front.
   
   Also on the back it reads: "...this kit contains *everything needed* to begin making your own furry friends..." . This is patently not true.
   
   I recently saw this product sitting in its rightful place in the bargain/clearance bin at Joann's. Do not support products like Softies with misleading marketing.