5 comments about Vintage Baby Knits: More Than 40 Heirloom Patterns from the 1920s to the 1950s.

1. I'm sorry, these patterns could be easily found on many knitting websites. The pictures are cute, but I didn't need to spend the money on these
   patterns.



2. I love this book. I'd consider myself an intermediate knitter. I find the instructions easy to follow and the selection of patterns charming. Nicely laid out book. I've completed the Stella Pixie hat, which was very fun to knit. I'm working through the Bobby Kimono now. I have about three more items from this book I plan on making. I can see the Stella Pixie hat becoming a staple baby gift! Love it!



3. I received a copy of Vintage Baby Knits for Christmas, and immediately started making the Betty Lou Lace Cardigan on page 48 as a gift. I can't believe the glowing reviews for this book, and can only think that most the reviewers haven't actually tried to knit anything from it yet.
   
   I was extremely disappointed that the pattern contained MAJOR errors in the very first row. There is no way this cardigan could have been knit from this pattern, as the increases to this symmetrical garment are shown as happening only at the beginning of the row.
   
   As a very experienced knitter, I believe I know how to fix it, but even had the increases been placed correctly, the resulting quality of the pattern would have been very low. For a garment with 8 stitch markers, there should have been more of an attempt to explain where the increases should be relative to the stitch markers after completing the row.
   
   Needless to say, my confidence in the quality of this book is gone. I'm terribly disappointed by this disaster of a pattern. After checking the publisher's errata web page online, I'm even more disappointed. It doesn't show a correction for the pattern I tried, but for 3 others that I haven't even looked at yet!



4. I found this book very charming-- instructions are simple to follow. Photographs are true to finished projects. I have made three swaeters and the toddler dress so far, I will probably knit every pattern in the book (except the soakers-- other reviews have that one right). The patterns will be simple for a knitter with experience, I would not recommend this for your first foray into baby knitting. Overall great book!



5. I love this book. The designs are fresh yet classic. As a knitter with over 40 years of knitting experience, I found this book to be quite possibly my all-time favorite for babies. The patterns hold my interest - they have enough complexity that I don't get bored. They're challenging, but not to the point of causing me to break out in a knitting fever. It's a book I'll use again and again, which is more than I can say for most knitting books.

No comments about Tatting : Adventures with Beads, Shuttle and Heedle.

5 comments about Weaving Without a Loom.

1. What a fun book. Easy to understand. Good pictures to explain. Would recommend.



2. Interesting book, full of projects I'm likely to try. This one is a keeper and that comes from a weaver who has been at it for awhile



3. This book is a geat How-To-Book for beginners. Great projects that can be used; such as a shawl, hats, belts, several purses, decorative and household items. It provides really nice photographic and text instructions for paper samples, small size yarn practice samples in various weave styles and more. Very practical for the beginner and for teaching others.



4. It's a fun book. I bought it to find out whether I like weaving, without buying an expensive loom (I do.) I've only made 2 of the several projects, and they're definitely doable. What I have found is that the instructions are not quite as complete as one might wish; maybe she's relying on a person's common sense (!). Also, the weaving on a card is fun - but only after you make the card with the itty-bitty cuts - very tedious and sort of annoying. And one more thing: this is NOT weaving without a loom (except for the weaving sticks). It must be the marketing division who named the book without actually reading it. It's mostly weaving on several different homemade looms, one for each project.
   
   I don't care - it's still fun!



5. My mother was a remarkable artist and craftswoman, who taught herself how to spin and weave. I often wish I'd taken the time to sit with her and watch so that I might have learned, too, but as usual with adult children, I was too busy with my own life to do that. Since inheriting my mother's spinning wheel and table loom, however, I'm inspired to learn more. I decided to start with a survey of weaving techniques, and this book, Weaving without a Loom, by Veronica Burningham, seemed like a good place to start.
   
   I have to admit, it covers a little of everything and does so in a logical, practical style. Right from the beginning, the author has the reader working with paper weaving to familiarize with terms, procedures and end products. As many of you may recall from kindergarten and early grade school, paper weaving produced those placemats and baskets one made for Mother's Day and other similar holidays in "art" class. Beyond this, the reader also learns about "tabby" and "twill" weaving patterns and what happens with colors. In examining the book a little further, one also learns that the paper with the slots in it is a "warp," while the strips of paper (or ribbon) woven through it is a "weft." Technical terminology can't get much simpler.
   
   After this initial exposure to weaving on its most basic level, the author introduces a variety of techniques, requiring nothing more expensive than sticks, paper forms, embroidery hoops, dinner forks, and picture frames. At each stage, the reader gets closer to weaving on a formal loom and the principles of "sheds" "heddles" and beaters. The products that the beginner is able to complete are remarkable for their individuality and beauty. The tam made on a piece of cardstock, and the carrying bag made on similar material are truly lovely and should lend themselves to individual experiments, even at the beginner level. While little hands may need some help with making weaving equipment, most of the woven work should be very easy for them to manage and should produce pleasing results. Although at times the instructions are a little confusing, the color photos show clearly what the author is trying to teach, so that anyone can enjoy the craft. Learning some of the terminology and techniques at this basic level should help the more adventurous move to more complicated forms of weaving like inkle and table or floor loom work.
   
   I'd recommend this book to any school system, school or public library or children's room. The museum in the city where I live has a family room where children can work with some of the media that artists do. This would be a wonderful addition for such a room in any museum. It also minimizes the need for expensive equipment to teach the art. The author and publisher give express permission to reproduce designs for individual use and for charity purposes, so copyright is not an issue.

5 comments about Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Fuzzy Felted Friends.

1. I love this felting book..its fun and easy and great pics to do your projects....B.W.



2. The projects are sweet and varied. I love the variety which you can build off and the friendly inviting photos. Some criticisms are fair, the author could provide more information and yes, beginners might stumble here and there. A felter with a wee bit of experience should easily overcome the book's few shortcomings. (Use the 'Look Inside' feature for an overall impression of the book. Keep clicking on 'Surprise Me.') Maybe I'm as easily influenced as soft wool, but I feel the author put genuine effort into this book. I adore it; it's like holding a friendship in your hands.



3. The next two books are courtesy of the Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts book series by Chronicle Books. The series includes four books: Amigurumi, Fuzzy Felted Friends, Lacy Crochet and Woolly Embroidery. Since I don't crochet I only have the embroidery and felting books.
   
   The books were originally published in Japanese and have been translated into English. We've all run into badly translated foreign movies, instructions, and websites. These are nothing like that. They have been remarkably well done. The only thing that gives away their foreign nature is the naivete of the text.
   
   Woolly Embroidery begins with 33 pages of color photos of the motifs and projects. This is followed by a guide to wool embroidery, useful tools and materials and thread color charts. There are also clear illustrations for 30 different decorative stitches. I find that particularly useful. The patterns are adorable, some even having a touch of that 1970's crewelwork look that's so popular.
   
   Fuzzy Felted Friends is laid out in the same manner, with about half the book being full color photos of the projects. Several pages of step-by-step photos of the different techniques follow. The instructions for the projects are next and, fortunately, have both metric and standard measurements. It includes projects for wet and dry felting, for both felted animals and pouches/bags, for useful items and purely decorative cuteness.
   
   I would say these books are suited to the crafter who has had some experience.However, they do have projects that are do-able by the beginner with a little bit of patience. I do wish there was a little bit more substance to each of them but $15 for an 80 page softcover book is still fairly reasonable.



4. Although it may seem like a very small book, coming in at only 80 pages, "Fuzzy Felted Friends" is packed tightly with patterns for felted projects - 25 in total, and as the series title suggests, these items are CUTE! Projects included in this book include pincushions, tea cosies, bags, purses, mobile phone charms, card cases and toys, all of which take the form of some sort of cute animal. As I have said in some of my other reviews of craft books, although I really enjoy making cute soft toys, I just don't have the space for them in my house anymore (not that that stops me from making them), so the fact that most of the items in this book have some purpose, other than sitting there and gathering dust, makes it very appealing to me. I can make these items without feeling guilty.
   
   The projects in this book are a mixture of needle felted and water felted items made from raw wool (no felted knitting or crochet patterns are included). The book is divided into three sections, the first section gives colour photographs of each of the projects, the second gives brief instructions on the general techniques required to make these projects (only about 10 pages in total), accompanied by black and white photographs, while the third section gives more detailed instructions for making the individual items (with black and white line illustrations). The pictures in this book are gorgeous, and for me, this book was worth buying just to admire them. However, the instructions are somewhat lacking. As a felting beginner, I would have liked more guidance on making these projects. Nevertheless, I would think that more experienced felters would enjoy this book immensely.



5. I was excited to purchase this book, since I recently invested in the supplies necessary for needle felting. The cover of the book suggested that the projects inside would appeal to me. The book was ultimately disappointing, because other than the dogs on the cover and a few other projects most of the content requires wet felting rather than needle felting. Although some of the projects such as the bird coin purse look great, I don't have the materials necessary for wet felting.
   
   This book would not be good for beginners because the instructions are vague, and consist mostly of patterns and dimensions. Little guidance is given on how to construct and attach basic shapes.
   
   If you enjoy both needle and wet felting this would be a good choice for you. If you are only interested in needle felting then do not buy this book - choose one that is devoted solely to needle felting.

4 comments about Fabulous Fabric Flowers.

1. This book is loaded with pictures and instructions for making fabric flowers. Very pleased with it.



2. I can make this review before buying it because of this:
   
   I saw the 'search inside', see the techniques are like those in my japanese fabric flower books. the pattern is similar. like the leaf, the shape of that little flower...really-really similar to those in japanese craft books...and that little flower is very unique that it's japanese style of little flower...i know it...it's shown in more than 1 books...the way she attached the leaf...shape of leaf...really-really similar...
   
   4 stars is for the ENGLISH textbook...finally...the colors chosen (in search inside) are lovely, very-very western style, so homy, so sweet...i like it though...but i think for color, i prefer those in japanese books, very-very refreshing...
   
   i think the search inside has give quite info for amazoners who are interested in this book. Really, i'm very-very familiar with the techniques. with those two pages, i know they are simple techniques like i did with japanese books...i made fabric flowers sometimes from fabric leftover...so, i just knew it...and with shown flowers inside and on table of contents, you will get beautiful flowers...i don't think you'll regret it...
   also, you can make it with your children. it's a good way to introduce sewing and crafting to your children...
   
   can't give 5 stars (even i haven't really seen it) because the idea is not that new for me...i don't know which one comes first, but i quite believe in japanese craft. They always have different syle and bring something new to crafter...Besides those small flowers...ah, that's very-very japanese style...but for YOU who never knew about this before, YOU CAN give it 5 STARS!...I will, too, if this book is the first i know.
   
   anyway, i'm still wondering whether there are patterns available in this book. hopefully, buyers can add this information. Patterns are important because at first making, sometimes, we can't make the right scale...
   
   i also want to buy it for my reference (it's English! mine are japanese)but not now, not my priority...
   after i got those sewing and knitting books...Fabulous Fabric Flowers...here i come!!!!!



3. This is a beautiful book. The color pictures are very good and the patterns in the back of the book are good also. I've made several different kinds of flowers and they come out really nice. I haven't tried all of them yet but I look forward to trying them all. Very good buy for the money.



4. There are so many wonderful ideas and for someone with a learning dissability, the directions seem clear cut and easy to follow, so I can't wait to get started!

5 comments about Wonderful 1-fabric Quilts.

1. Very pleased with book when I recieved it. Nicely packaged and protected for shipping. I highly recommend this seller.



2. Book does not present any really new technique, and goes on and on doing so. It would have been nice to see images of the fabric prior to cutting, not just the finished product.



3. Great book. Instructions are easy to follow. Service was great. Received book promptly, packaged nicely. Thank you.



4. This quilt is a lot of fun to do, but does take some thinking. I think it would be more fun with a group (which is what we did). When purchasing your fabric, get a lot (6-8 yards) in case of mistakes and make sure the print has high contrast. Pale fabrics are pretty, but don't have the "wow" effect that really makes this quilt. Smaller stripes are also better - mine was 14 1/2" block (repeat) and it made kaleidoscope blocks rather than the two patterns. It's cute, but not what I expected. Fun and you definitely want to do a second (or more).



5. This book is going to be a lot of fun.
   Looking forward to the challenge of a new way to use fabrics.
   Great presentation.

5 comments about Follow-the-Line Quilting Designs, Vol. 2: Full-Size Patterns for Blocks and Borders.

1. Just what is needed for those who need help with what to quilt and do not want to stiple again. Includes borders, blocks and corners for more than a dozen patterns. Something for every quilt type.



2. A treasure of designs for designing your own quilt outlines.
   Takes the work out of planning your machine quilting design.



3. Mary M. Covey's FOLLOW-THE-LINE QUILTING DESIGNS V. 3: FULL-SIZE PATTERNS FOR BLOCKS AND BORDERS is not so much a book as a box of patterns for tracing, transferring and stitching, presented in full size for easy use. Twenty new pattern groups including designs for blocks, borders and setting triangles and can be used on a regular home sewing machine or by hand alike - as well as on a long-arm quilting machine for professionals. An outstanding, flexible guide.



4. I recently bought a long-arm so of course I "needed" more patterns. I bought her first and second book/box of patterns, and friends bought me this 3rd set. The border patterns work well as pantographs on the long-arm and there are matching "block" and "triangle" motifs for each design. Each one has a nice variety of patterns - curvey, geometric, for kids, floral, etc... This 3rd set is definetly more challenging than the previous sets.



5. Between the instructional booklet and all the patterns for quilting a quilt, you will have all the information you need to complete your quilt in FOLLOW-THE-LINE QUILTING DESIGNS. The booklet that comes with the patterns explains how the quilt designs are laid out and defines the markings found on each pattern.
   
   As any quilter knows, sizing patterns are not the easiest thing to do but Ms. Covey has provided areas where you can lengthen or shorten a pattern with ease. If that is not the option you want to take, you can use her suggested Quilter's Assistant Proportional Scale and then make photocopies to the size you want.
   
   Marking - which way to go. There are pens, pencils, tape, chalk or even a no-mark method. Read over the options and choose the one that works for the quilt you are doing. Don't forget the 3 B's of finishing ---- backing, batting and basting. The pages devoted to these will make this an easy job. And finally, will you quilt by hand, machine or long-arm? The suggestions given here will make this part of finishing the quilt easier too.
   
   The patterns come in a plasticized package. There are 19 designs from a farm to baby to geometric designs to name a few. You should be able to find one to fit the theme of your quilt. They come in corners, blocks and borders so every place you need a pattern, you will have one that is made for that area and since the designs are all in continuous-line motifs, you will not have to stop until you are finished! Happy Quilting.

3 comments about Sensational Sashiko: Japanese Applique And Quilting by Machine (That Patchwork Place).

1. Wow! Wow! Wow! That is my first impression of this DVD about Japanese Sashiko. This is a quilting technique that I had heard about but knew nothing about. Ms. Pederson takes you through the process of creating a Sashiko quilt block in an easy to follow step by step method. The DVD is wonderfully filmed and gets in CLOSE so you can actually SEE what the author is talking about.
   
   Ms. Pederson talks about the history of Sashiko and shows other books on the subject that can be used to create the quilt blocks. She tells us that it is usually done by hand but shows us the technique needed to create it by machine.
   
   The DVD shows the chapters so you can review any one step you need to without going through the whole thing again. It also talks about Quilt as you Go method of creating a quilt which is an added benefit in my opinion.
   
   She also shows her technique for doing invisible machine appliqué. I have done machine appliqué but can't wait to try the technique shown in the DVD. There are special features which include a Trunk Show, EQ^ Lesson, EQ^ Virtual Trunk Show and Outtakes. The outtakes had me laughing hysterically. It was a side of Ms. Pederson that didn't show in the DVD as she was more relaxed in the outtakes. I felt she was a bit too formal in the actual DVD but this could have been her first time filming and being filmed is not an easy thing.
   
   My only disappointment was that I did not have her book while I watched the DVD. It would have been very nice to highlight those things that I wanted to go back over again or a special part that I wanted to remember such as the sashing sizes. But I can listen again to the DVD so I will be able to get the information I want.
   
   If you like learning "in person" or are better at visual demonstrations, then DVD presentations like "Sensational Sashiko" are just the think to find in your Stocking on Christmas morning.



2. GREAT PICTURES AND IDEAS FOR NEW PROJECTS.
   COLORFUL PICTURES AND NEW PATTERNS FOR ASIAN PROJECTS



3. Sharon Pederson's Sensational Sashiko: Japanese Applique And Quilting By Machine uses 12 sample projects to explore two traditions - sashiko and Japanese family crests. Here are not just patterns and ideas but the author's own new techniques for making perfectly spaced stitches suitable for quick sashiko-style quilts. Applique and quilting blend with machine stitches for quick and polished results, while projects address problems such as binding and how to solve them with reversible binding, and couching heavyweight threads.

4 comments about The New Macrame: Contemporary Knotted Jewelry and Accessories.

1. The photos are the finest I have seen in many of the macreme books. The instructions are left open, permitting you to add your own personal touch, which at times can be difficult if you are used to concrete step-by-step instructions. I would however suggest that if you are a beginner you should start with a more basic book such as Hemp Masters. The New Macreme is a book for intermidiate and advanced, due to its very open ended intructions and the materials used. But all in all it is great book to further yourself, and try new ideas and help expand on old ones.



2. When a book is called "The New Macrame," a reader has a right to expect either entirely different knotting techniques or totally different projects. What is new about this book is that it contains many more color pictures than previous macrame books. It also has several updated looks in jewelry--for example, there is a "Y" necklace style, a ring and earrings made of wire instead of hemp, and an aroma therapy bottle necklace.
   However, if I squinted a little, that aromatherapy bottle cover could have been a plant hanger of the 1960s. And the "Y" necklace still has it's roots in the 1960s hairy hemp and big ol' E beads. And that's my main objection to the book. It's not really new.
   The square knot, half knot, lark's head, and half hitch aren't new. Using wire is new, but one ring and one set of earrings doesn't qualify the book as "new." Showing the old knots with new materials--Conso, Stringth, or colored art wire would have given the reader a useful comparison. But that isn't in the book.
   The descriptions are shown, both with a line drawing and a photograph, and for the person with experience, that's enough. But for someone new to macrame, each knot diagram could have had one more stage, half way through, shown. This book makes the mistake many user's manuals make--the writers don't pay attention to the needs of the audience. If it's a book for beginners, more steps are needed. If it's a book for advanced knot-tiers, give us advanced projects.
   The titles of the projects are also off-putting. Who wants to make a "Yuppie Puppy Leash and Collar"? And why would you call an earring pattern "Take Two Earrings and Call Me in The Morning"? or a belt a "Fringe Benefit Belt"?
   Beginning macrame students would do far better looking for help in "The 'knotty' Macrame and Beading Book" by Wendy Connor and advanced students will be happier with "Braiding and Knotting Techniques and Projects" by Constantine A. Belash.



3. I liked all the color photographs for ideas, but I agree with the other reader that when I went to try a project, I had a hard time understanding the knotting directions...could have used more pictures/instructions in the "how to knot" section. If you already know the basic knots, this might be a good "idea" book.



4. I found this book to be severly lacking in good instructions and illustrations. I began the Rainbow Card Caddy project but I could not make my project look like the one in the book based on the instructions given. The book has illustrations of the knots but they are not enough to complete the project as written.

3 comments about Ready, Set, Knit Cables: Learn to Cable with 20 Designs and 10 Projects (Ready Set...).

1. I have FINALLY figured out how to do cable knits, and read a knitting chart with the help of this book. My first project (not in this book) is using cables to make a cute little sweater for my poodle. Great simple, easy to read instruction for the clueless beginner. There are some very cute projects as well, a pillow, a messenger bag, and adorable lap top case.



2. I have always admired cable work in finished items, but have been fearful of it because the instructions seemed to difficult and/or complicated.
   The author takes you into the process slowly, encouraging you to ease into each procedure one step at a time, viewing cable work as a series of simple steps. This serves to demystify the process and is a lot less intimidating for me. I'm not the smartest cookie in the batch when it comes to learning something new from written instructions. I learn better visually (I am left-handed to boot!) If I can understand and perform the art of cable work through use of this wonderful book, I betcha anyone can!



3. There is a few pages worth of this is how you read a cable chart and this is what you do with a cable needle. For me it was kind of like in retrospect I really could of figured that out on my own. And the patterns are so so. Nothing that inspired me. I probably won't keep it as I can reference the information in a lot of other books.