5 comments about Threadwork Unraveled.

1. I just received this book and can't put it down. It is so well written and organized and the pics are fabulous. I am so inspired by it and can't wait to put what I learn to good use. Many congrats to the author on a job well done. I wish she had a whole series, I would buy them all in a flash. As a Janome owner, I am also so excited to see a writer showcasing a machine other than Bernina. If I were Janome, I would snap Ms. Smith up as a spokesperson immediately!



2. Great book! Methodical method to learning how to choose color and type of thread and correct needle for machine quilting and how to set your machine so the thread,needle and machine working together to make the quilt intended. Takes the mystery and frustration out of machine quilting.



3. Sarah Ann Smith's THREAD WORK UNRAVELED packs in all the detailed needed about thread and machine quilting notions. From how thread's made to what threads work for different jobs and how to enhance piecing and quilting projects, THREAD WORK UNRAVELED is for any serious quilter's collection.



4. Sara provides step-by-step instructions for Threadwork including tension settings, needles, threads, combinations, etc. Half the book is on set up and she leaves absolutely nothing to guesswork. It's the "BOMB" (really great!). Highly recommend this book for all types of quilters.



5. This is an excellent book with a good range of sewing machine/thread-related topics. A beginner will greatly benefit from the instruction it offers while a more seasoned stitcher will appreciate having solid guidance in one reference.

5 comments about Digitizing Made Easy: Create Custom Embroidery Designs Like a Pro.

1. I bought the book because I was told it was the ONLY book to purchase for a beginner. The first half struck me as Mr. Deere being rather self impressed and the second half assumed you knew more than a beginner would know. I did find the DVD good but I'm still quite puzzled about how to actually begin. Perhaps I'm simply a hands on learner. Disappointing.



2. At last a book on digitizing for the digitizing inpared. This book is written for the beginner.



3. The book contains a lot of good basic information about digitizing. After reading it, I'm ready to move to my software. I undertand the principles of digitizing better, so I'll have a better idea of what my software is doing when I used it. Worth the money.



4. This is a good book, but not for beginners. It is very hard to follow without a drawing pad.



5. This book is jammed full of information about Digitizing. One would think it would be dry and uninteresting. Not true at all. It's actually very interesting reading. And teaches you things about the process that you might not even have thought about. And the fact that it includes a CD with some nice embroidery designs is certainly a nice bonus as well. Great book for anyones library thats interested in embroidery designs.....

5 comments about Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn.

1. This is a superior book for the experienced spinner who never had hands-on lessons, or any other instruction. I've been spinning for 24 years and finally understand how and why to draft a certain way, how to control the type and size yarn I want to make, and improved methods of plying. There is a science to all of this, and it's nice to have this excellent reference for getting the job done. I've always wanted to make the yarn for the garment, rather than finding a garment for the yarn I made. Now I believe I can! This book also had less wasted space on drop spindles and types of fibers. Good detailed explanation on the differences in woolen and worsted methods as well as combinations of methods. Very good information on the why and how of plying. Excellent photographs showing close-up detail of drawing methods, manipulating fibers with hands, and .... everything. Lots of excellent photos. As direct result of the two books I purchased at the same time, I bought a McMorran yarn balance to better determine my yardage. This will be my go-to book when spinning, with the other as a back-up.



2. As a beginner, I find this book to be the most concise, accurate and easy-to-follow of any I've read. The author makes you feel immediately "at home" in front of the wheel -- and guides you with ease and authority through the steps necessary to get you started. I highly recommend this book for all beginners...and would suggest it contains invaluable information for those who may have enjoyed the art for many years.



3. I found the book very helpful especially with the pictures. Maggie Casey is very knowledgable.



4. I bought this book when I knew absolutely nothing about spinning, but I owned a wheel which is a serious investment.
   
   This book was so helpful with full explanations that weren't too technical, solutions to common problems and lots of pictures. Maggie has a way of laying the foundation so there's still room for you to develop your own style.
   
   If I were stranded on a deserted island with mountains of fiber and my spinning wheel I'd want this book with me.



5. The pictures and written explanations make this one of the best beginner spinning books I've purchased or borrowed. The additional information on spinning art yarns is very good and a main reason for my purchase. When I got my spinning wheel I kept the book open on various pages for drafting and spinning as an immediate reference. I would recommend this book for another person like myself that didn't have a clue as how to get started!

5 comments about Learn New Stitches on Circle Looms.

1. I'm new in the looming world and so far I love it.. This book is so helpful and easy to follow. great for a newbie like myself.



2. Easy to follow directions with pictures that make it easy to follow.. I highly recomment.



3. Lots of information, easy to use. Get more use of your looms and apply to patterns.



4. Very pleased with this purchase. If you're new to the circle looms, this will give you some new ideas.



5. I'm still in the process of teaching myself loom knitting. This book has additional information, including one interesting pattern that involves weaving along with knitting a hat. I tend to be a visual learner and this book helps me to a certain extent. One suggestion I would like to make to the authors...it would be even more helpful to include a DVD that can demonstrate the different techniques. Otherwise, I'm enjoying the different ideas for future projects that this book is providing.

5 comments about The Ultimate Serger Answer Guide: Troubleshooting for Any Overlock Brand or Model (Creative Machine Arts Series).

1. I got my new Husqvarna Viking Huskylock 936 a while ago, and was totally new to using sergers. I had one Norwegian book about using a serger, but real soon found that it was way too limited (most of it was description of projects), so I went on Amazon, thinking that my best bet would be to find some English language books. I am the type that really like to understand how an item works and functions, and I want to get the most out of it. I also want my sewing projects to have a perfect, professional looking finish.
   
   I soon found out that there are quite a few books that has real good reviews, but finally decided that my choice would be Serger Secrets: High-Fashion Techniques for Creating Great-Looking Clothes. But, initially I did feel quite intimidated, thinking that it would be quite a challenge to learn how to use and understand this machine which is so different and much more complicated than an ordinary sewing machine. One of my greatest fears was that I wouldn't be able to handle challenges that arise, e.g. when things don't go as they should. After looking around, I found out that this book would be my best bet. The book covers a lot of brands of sergers, but the book was published already in 1996, so it is quite a lot older than my serger. But I soon found that it really didn't matter. I think it is wonderful how one chapter of the book covers "insider insights", brand specific serger information, for most of the serger brands (Babylock, Bernina/Bernette/Funlock, Brother/Homelock, Elna/Elnalock, Juki, Necchi/Allyn Int'l, Janome/New Home/MyLock, Pfaff/Hobbylock, Singer/Quantumlock/Ultralock, Husqvarna Viking/Huskylock and White/Speedylock/Superlock - it is quite an extensive list). The rest of the book describes problems which are general and valid no matter which serger you have. Most things are general, one serger is much like another for most things, I think. Sure new features come each year, but their general parts are mostly the same and works the same, so problem solving will be the same for the most part and even if you own a newer model of some serger (e.g. like me), you'll soon find that you find solutions to most things in the book. The features that are more new and modern is mostly covered in the instructions manual. E.g. my serger is computerized, it will tell me which tension to use etc., but despite this, the tension itself, the loopers and needles work just as on an older or more simple serger. Every time I have had a little problem, I have just gone straight to this book and found the problem in question. When you look up a challenge you're facing, the book lists several possible things which may cause it, and I have found that normally the first one on the list will make the problem disappear, like magic! I just love this book, saves me a lot of frustrations and trial and error to figure out problems! This book and Serger Secrets really has given me the confidence needed to throw myself into making things I haven't done before using techniques new to me. I am having lots of fun with all the options my fantastic high end serger has!
   
   Actually I think that all sergers should come with a copy of this book, as all these small things that may cause you problems, may turn people off from learning to master these wonderful machines that makes your project look like made by professionals. It is easy to give up when you face challenges if you consider yourself a not too tech savvy person, but having this book sure makes a huge difference! For that reason, I can't recommend this book enough! I think it is a must-have!
   
   There is one thing I have to make clear though - This book is not the book you turn to in order to learn how to use the serger and techniques used to get the results you want though, which is why I really think it is perfect to be paired up with Serger Secrets! If you want to look more at Serger Secrets before deciding if you want to buy it, you can find it on Google Books (quite a bit of it can be read there, so you can get a real preview of how useful it is, but you still need to buy it to really enjoy it). This book however, is my troubleshooting reference, when I have a problem, this is the one to turn to! I don't even bother to try to find the problem in my instructions manual, as this book is way better, easier to use and lists many things it sure isn't easy to imagine yourself, e.g. how adding something as simple as a thread net may be 100% necessary to get the stitches to form on some fabrics/threads, while you in some other cases need to remove the nets if you have them on... Many such small things which makes a huge difference in your every day use of your serger!
   
   The book has "Look inside!", so take a look at the contents at the front of the book as well as the index at the back of the book - it has both, so it is easy to get an overview of what the book covers as well as look up a specific problem when it arise, using the alphabetical index. This book is very reasonable, the Amazon price is around $11 at the time and it is also available new/used from affiliate sellers from approx $7. You sure get a lot for your money!
   
   After initially buying the two books mentioned, I chose to add a third book which I just love too, a book specifically about sewing with knits and techniques used to get professional results: (ADD PRODUCT LINK TO SINGER SEWING WITH KNITS HERE) It is amazing how this wonderful book is available from $0.91! I bought my copy listed as used at $0.99 from an Amazon affiliate seller, but when it arrived, it was brand new. I soon found that this too, just like Serger Secrets, is filled with large amounts of wonderful, high quality pictures that makes it very easy to learn the different techniques described. These three books form a wonderful trio for me - they are all so helpful and that at a very reasonable price! I have added my reviews on all three, since they're all older books, which may make some buyers skeptic, and I really want to add my view on this, I find that it has been no problem for me, I feel no need to get newer and more up-to-date books as the ones I got, cover everything I need!



2. My wife needed a general book to trouble shoot her serger. Since this book is not brand specific, it is good for any Serger. My wife was able to trouble shoot her serger and make the necessary adjustments to get it working just like new. It covers most problems you might encounter and tells how to fix it. It is also good for general maintenance of your machine.



3. I just bought a new serger and need help in using it. This book has a multitude of color photos that helps with correct and incorrect stitch tension and other problem solving informatin as well as detailed information of which threads need adjusting as well as oiling information on several select machines. A great companion to the owners manual of my new machine.



4. This is a book that answers a lot of questions about how sergers differ, why some have better stitch patterns than others, how to get the most out of whatever brand you have---- it answers so many questions and really gives insight into what remedy may work best with your particular machine. I'm glad I ordered it; I have 2 different brand sergers and now I know what I can expect from each one and how to solve certain problems with each brand. There are tips from a lot of sewing pros and it's nice to have input from different sources and the option of trying each one to see what works for you and what doesn't. So much better than dragging out every manual you have and spending sewing time trying to cure a problem.



5. This is a good book for answers to any serging problem you might get yourself into. I am glad I ordered this book and shall keep it with my sewing books.

5 comments about Crazy Lace:an artistic approach to Creative Lace Knitting.

1. This is not your grandmother's lace book. There are no recipes here to follow. Instead you are guided by Artist Myra Wood along an inspiring ride toward improvisational knitting in lace fashion. The basic mechanics are covered and you are the designer deciding to modify existing traditional lace patterns or create new patterning. All areas of lace knitting are covered - increasing, decreasing, directional stitches, creating patterning and lace fabric and charting your own patterns, symmetry vs. random and various shapes as well as top down, inside out, ruching, edging, etc. Not just the how - but why or in this case why not. If you have never knit lace before you can pick up this book and begin to create. Filled with beautiful pictures of hand dyed yarn lace creations. If you are a veteran knitter and are looking to add more of your own design ideas into lace work this is for you. This book view laces in a new lens and would appeal to freeformers, free-ranger knitters and generally anyone who is open to a different approach of creating lace looks.



2. This is the lace book I have been waiting for. I think it is thoughtful, useful, logical, well thought out, and inspirational as well! Sections of all the topics that a newish ( two lace shawls) lace knitter needs. Myra offers the right combination of instructions, with a mix of structured suggestions, plus a touch of "go for it" that can be such a challenge for many of us knitters used to depending on patterns. I say, "Bravo, Myra!"



3. If you are the compulsive-obsessive "must do it perfectly and in order with detailed directions" type of knitter... you will HATE this book. If you already knit lace and LOVE your charted books and patterns, I'd suggest you pass on this one... it probably won't meet your standards. If you are looking for predesigned lace patterns and expect to be told stitch by stitch how to recreate something the author has designed... you'll be disappointed.
   
   However... if you have wanted to learn to knit lace and found yourself completely overwhelmed and paralyzed by the charts in books and patterns, I strongly encourage you to consider this book. If you'd rather have FUN knitting lace than sweating over every stitch... and frogging more than you knit, I strongly encourage you to consider this book. If you are a rebel at heart and really don't like being told what to do and how to do it, I strongly encourage you to consider this book. If you'd like to understand how lace WORKS... why it does what it does when it does it, I strongly encourage you to consider this book. If you'd like to sit down with nothing other than your needles and yarn and knit lace "without a net," I strongly encourage you to consider this book. If you'd like to learn "Lace Logic" so you can chart and graph your OWN lace patterns, you yourself personally, I strongly encourage you to consider this book.
   
   Most other lace books teach you to read lace by sight... literally. You have to learn what all the symbols mean to even begin to knit lace with most of them. You have to memorize the "words" by rote memory without really understanding why that group of "letters" make those "sounds."
   
   "Crazy Lace" teaches you to read lace by "phonics." You learn what "sounds" each letter (stitch) makes and what "sounds" (textures) they create when you combine them in specific ways, (combination of stitches in a given sequence). Better than that, "Crazy Lace" teaches you to "read" your knitting, and this translates into every aspect of your knitting skills. You learn to visually recognize why something looks the way it does... and how to make it look differently if that wasn't what you wanted it to do.
   
   This book is a WORKbook. This book is a foundational COURSE in knitting lace. Do not let its size fool you. It is not designed to "pick out a pattern," get a prescribed set of tools and materials, and follow a pattern. There is not a lot of text, but every sentence is precious and full of purpose. Let them marinate and savor them. Begin reading it, slowly and deliberately, on page one... with some fingering weight yarn and size 6 (4 mm) or 7 (4.5 mm) needles of your choice close at hand to test out things as you go along... and really DIGEST this information. Make the Sampler Scarf. Try your hand with some freeform Crazy Lace. Cast on some stitches and play with the various shapes in the latter part of the book. Play with the edge embellishments. Study the few charts included to get you started with charted lace knitting.
   
   This book's primary purpose is to teach you to trust yourself to create your own lace; but you'll want to follow other's people's paths sometimes, so you are introduced to charting "language" along the way too.
   
   When you get to the end of the book you will know how to knit lace "without a net" with freeform abandon. You will know how to read a basic beginning charted lace pattern... if you choose to. You will understand the logic of lace such that you can design your own lace patterns and chart them for others to follow. You can do some of each, all in the same project.
   
   In other words, this book will set you free to create lacework in any way you please, and please no one but yourself. At the same time, it provides you with a solid foundation to branch out into more traditional lace knitting and patterns with confidence. You can be as free or as obsessive as you choose to be. You'll feel a whole lot less intimidated by those charts and graphs. You'll be able to look at a lace project and "read it"... and be able to figure out how you might recreate something similar, without a pattern, if you'd like to do that.
   
   Will you learn everything you need to know about lace knitting from this book? No. Will you have a firm, broad, foundation upon which to add new lace knitting skills. Oh yeah, baby! You will.
   
   If all you do is glance through this book and look at the drop-dead gorgeous photos, you may not be particularly impressed. You may even be initially disappointed. If that is your initial response, you've not given it a fair chance and you are short-changing yourself on a marvelous experience in knitting that will benefit all your future knitting projects.
   
   I hope you won't do that. Approached from the direction the book is designed to be used, it is worth far more than the price you will pay for it. Unless you USE the book and the information therein, you cannot possibly appreciate the gift Myra Wood has given the knitting world.
   
   NOTE: I didn't buy this book from Amazon. I got an autographed copy from the author. I took a class from her at the TKGA Conference May 2009 in Portland, OR. I paid a lot more for the class than the cost of this book. Her book wasn't released until Nov 2009. I cannot tell you much more valuable this book is, for me, because there simply was not time for her to cover ALL the material that is in the book in class. I can work through every thing she taught me in the class, at my own pace... and still have SO much left to learn from the book! Personally, this book is a HUGE bargain and I simply cannot recommend it to you highly enough if you are really motivated to learn to knit lace... or if you'd like to expand your lace knitting skills by learning to generate your own lace creations led only by the "logic of lace" and the flow of the fiber.



4. This book is not a book of rote patterns, it teaches you how to design your own lace and not traditional lace.
   
   Beautiful thought provoking photos, very inspiring



5. This is a LOVELY book, well put together with many great tips on knitting lace.
   
   Can it be everything to everybody? No, no book can.
   
   Can it help you [re]discover the joy in your knitted lace? YES, YES IT CAN!
   
   I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and as someone who started my knitting life HATING knitting lace, and now love above almost anything, THIS is the kind of book that would have put me on the right path a bit sooner.
   
   Check it out - it may help you get over the lace-hump by rethinking how you put those "holes" in your work!

5 comments about Judith Baker Montano's Embroidery & Crazy Quilt Stitch Tool: 180+ Stitches & Combinations - Tips for Needles, Thread, Ribbon, Fabric - Left- & Right-Handed Illustrations.

1. If you have a hard time translating stitches to left hand use, this books for you. If you are right handed or left and have no trouble switching the right hand directions to left, there many, many FAR better books than this. This book is for my left handed 9 yr old niece that hasn't learned to manage the usual right hand instructions yet.



2. being lefthanded the pictures and directions are very clear. The only lefthanded stitch quide i'v ever found. would recomend to both right and left handers..



3. Great tool for crazy quilters. I use it exclusively now that I have it. Every stitcher needs to have this in their library.



4. This book offers good, detailed, easy to follow instructions for the stitches. I was disappointed that the book was so small in size. I may have missed the measurements in the book info, but it is only about 6" X 6". I thought it was going to be a bit larger. Also the spiral binding is on the top and when you flip the pages open and look at the pages, the printing on the top page will be upside down to you and the bottom page will be right side up. So, as you are reading the instructions for a stitch, as you progress to the next page you have to flip the book around to read the instructions.



5. i love this book it tell you all you want to know...so helpfull and the pic. are great..

5 comments about 200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, or Weave.

1. The book is packed with beautiful color illustrations showing step-by-step how to perform a particular feat. The only thing that has a down-fall with this product is the binding. The pages take a little effort to turn correctly.



2. I bought this book originally when I was looking for kumihimo books. Although it really isn't a kumihino book, I have found it to be a great resource. It's filled with examples of braids that can be created using a variety of techniques - weaving, macrame (knotting), twisting, and looping to name a few - and the photos are terrific.
   
   In addition to a fairly extensive section that provides an overview of the techniques covered and includes a lot of step-by-step photos, there are pages and pages of glorious color photos of a large number of cords created using the various techniques discussed. Another plus - a section on including beads in the cord and a section on finishing techniques.
   
   I highly recommend this book - it has endless uses are a reference.



3. Fantastic clear instructions for all of the basic ways to do the braids, twists, knots, loops and weaves. Then you can create the 200 examples, in total, that the author shows you. The information includes how the techniques look using different materials. The book is a very good reference for making all sorts of cords for interior decorating, jewelry, sewing and all forms of handiwork. All instructions and work are shown in color. Also the book is spiral bound in order to stay flat for easy use.



4. This book really is a great tool for learning to make knots and braids. There are illustrated pictures and detailed instructions. Even if someone has never worked with this type of craft they can use this book.



5. This book is colorful, easy to read and understand, comprehensive. I found nothing wrong with this book. Covers the basics well but has enough info for experienced braid makers to keep as a reference.

5 comments about The Knitting Experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch (The Knitting Experience).

1. Just had to have it! The Eistien Coat is in here. How great is that!



2. I ordered this book for a jacket pattern and was pleasantly surprised at the rest of the content of the book. As a beginning knitter, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the language of knitting. Sally Melville's book is a great resource to me every day that I knit. The illustrations and instructions are clear and the patterns have lots of diagrams to help. One of the best features (besides the basic instructions - which I need) is the layout of each pattern - she details the skill level, the fit, scale, yarn details and equipment in a quick reference format that has proved extremely clear and easy to use. I've used other beginning knitter books and this one is by far my favorite. I will eventually give away my other beginning-to-knit books, but this one I will keep.



3. This is a great book for the beginning or experienced knitter. The illustrations are easy to read and follow to get you started. There is so much info packed into this book that knitters will always learn something new. The projects are basic but stylish and the patterns and directions are written to explain in detail for the beginner. You won't be sorry! There are two other books by this author in this series; Knit and Color, also good.



4. This is the perfect book for the beginner and intermediate knitter. The directions for stitches, corrections and patterns are clear and easy to follow. The book contains many easy patterns that are adorable and adaptable to sizes and yarns. A must buy for beginner knitters.



5. This is the best knitting book you can buy! For the beginner knitter to the knitter who only knows the basics stitches. Sally Melville has the best techniques to help not only teach you how to knit, but has step by step instructions with pictures. She has a very simple and direct way of explaining each and every stitch. The knitting patterns look so complex, but with Sally to guide you, you can make anything. I owned this book years ago and loaned it to someone and never got it back. I've tried other knitting books by other authors, but nobody can hold a candle to Sally Melville. This book is a must have. GREAT BOOK!

5 comments about Seed Bead Stitching: Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques.

1. I really love this Book for kickstarting my beading creativity again, the book has a great introduction and is user friendly to both novice and experienced beaders. The book features all the basic beadweaving stitches like Peyote, brick, right angle, spiral, etc. with instruction that are clear and diagrams that are user friendly. Each stitch also has a section for advanced beaders. Beth Stone is even nice enough to add warnings on what is not in her book, she does not discuss quantity of beads to use in each project although she does specify the type of seed bead to use, there is no clear direction on color so you can mix and be as creative as you want to be, and she does not specify the length. This three warnings may frustrate the novice beader a bit, but it's all done to get your creativity going. I just love that about this book, it's focus is to get you to learn the stitches and then use them as you would like, it may be scary for those who like a specific pattern with all the information written out, but trust me the freedom to experiment and bead outside the bead box is so much more fun.



2. I was excited to see a book that would help me visualize someone else's experimentation with basic stitches. However, after it arrived I realized most of the pieces shown were done with "bead soup", a mixture of different types, shapes, sizes, and colors of seed beads. While a few examples made this way would have been interesting I found myself overwhelmed by the vast array of different beads per piece and unable to easily follow the thread path, making the projects look very similar after a while. So many different beads in one piece makes it busy and visually tiring as there's nowhere to rest your eyes and no pattern to move your vision naturally through the piece, just a jumble of colors, shapes and sizes. I didn't send it back, but then again if I'd been able to page through it beforehand I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.
   
   Patricia, beading and designing for 6 yrs.



3. This is a great book to have on hand for quick and easy reference for just the right bead chain to complete a piece of jewelry or even just to make a feature item on its own.It has many basic chains and also many other unusual but simple styles, with easy to follow instructions.Often we have an idea for a project and just want a refresher on the chain factor so it is great to have a book at our fingertips with all the right info for inspiration.



4. Received this book a few weeks ago, and came down with a sinus infection right after. Was out of work for a week and I sat in the recliner and made almost everything in the book. Very good instructions, easily adapted, with some new stitches that I hadn't used before. Getting rave reviews from the gifts I made. Stone has a winner here and I am looking forward to the new one coming out.



5. I've only been beading for a year but have fallen in love in seed beads, delica's in particular. My library is full of beading books and magazines but nothing has come close to how useful this book has been for me. I've been able to step away and create several unique designs of my own using what I've learned in this book! Because she shows you several variations of the same stitch, it's helped me finally become comfortable with the various ways to create a beautiful beaded piece. I'm having a great time creating bracelets and necklaces with various stones and pearls now and while I'm sure I would have eventually worked it out, her book was my breakthrough!
   
   Well illustrated, big pictures, clear directions. Nice Job Beth! (I'm preordering your sequel today!)