5 comments about Beading on Fabric: Encyclopedia of Bead Stitch Techniques.

1. I have not done alot of beading. This books instructions and illustrations are very clear. I am not planning on creating art pieces like the author, but would like to start working on my own belly dance costumes. This book had the basic beading on fabric and fringe variations. Just what I needed.



2. A GREAT SOURCE FOR BEADING ON FABRIC. ONCE ONE UNDERSTANDS THE BASICS, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.



3. I thought this book was too basic, and didn't contain the stitch type information I was looking for. It almost seemed to pertain more to quilting stuff...



4. This is a wonderful book. Larkin Van Horn is such a talented beader. Her work is beautiful and skillful.



5. Beautifully illustrated, Wonderful pictures, Great ideas, and detailed instructions. A must for any beader who wants to expand their hobby.

5 comments about Subversive Cross Stitch.

1. The patterns are difficult enough to be challenging, and entertaining enough to not be boring. My sister made the "This Place Sucks" sampler for our first home, and it's prominently displayed in the hallway. Makes a great story.



2. This book is hilariously funny. Although I'm not sure anyone would display half of the patterns, it is comical to be given the opportunity.



3. I love this book. Not only does it have some great patterns, but she provides a host of links and resources in the back.



4. I received this book as a gift. I agree with the review that I could do these myself, without the book. HOWEVER, I never thought of it. This book was a great jumping off point for making my own subversive creations.
   The alphabet used can sometimes be a pain and getting used to her pattern style took a little time.
   All in all a great book.



5. Recently I've immersed myself in the domestic arts (knitting and crocheting, mostly) and wanted to try something new. I had bought cross stitch kits in the past, but never got far on them because I didn't know what I was doing. I always thought cross stitch was for Grandma, but I was glad to be proven wrong by "Subversive Cross Stitch". Witty, snarky, smart, and sarcastic, the designs in the book show that cross stitch doesn't have to consist of "bless this mess" and other such cliche motifs; one can even alter the very simple designs in the book to fit a phrase or theme of their liking. It's a great beginner's guide to cross stitch, and a great guide on how to make your projects your very own. I think all of my girlfriends will be getting a customized cross stitch for their homes this Christmas, and I may even make a few of the less daring ones for some family members.

5 comments about Fabulous Fabric Beads: Create Custom Beads and Art Jewelry.

1. After reading this book I have to say that it is one of the best craft books that I've read this year. Not only does the author teach you how to make fabulous fabric beads, but she also teaches all sort of techniques for creating and embellishing fabrics that could be used in so many other projects. She also teaches you how to make great little charms. Maybe this book should be called Beyond Fabulous Fabric Beads since this is a book that would be just as valuable to quilters, scrapbookers, altered art crafters as well as jewelry designers!



2. Fabulous Fabric Beads - Create custom Beads and Art Jewellery is a great new technique. With the advent of art quilts, quilters are discovering new ways to create wondrous art pieces and practical wearable art. This is where this book - Fabulous Fabric Bags comes in. It's a wild idea, but hey, it certainly works, and best of all with minimum of fuss and ado.
   
   Right from the opening page, you get the sense that you can do it - even with the most fantastic photographs and graphics you don't for a minute feel you're going to be fighting your way through this new craft.
   
   There's a multitude of projects to try, all with great instructions and photographs. There are 20 embellishment techniques offered, incorporating all manner of media including paint, crystals and wire.
   
   The book is also full of side tips and hints that give you the sense that the tutor is standing right over your shoulder, watching you and helping you along.
   
   I would thoroughly recommend this book to any fibre artist that wants to go in the new direction of jewellery art.Interweave Publishers provided this review copy to me free of charge.



3. I love this book! The author covers every detail, and the instructions are clear. This is one of the few jewelry-making books that I own, which gives me the confidence to start making beautiful things. If there is a sequel, I will be first in line to buy it!



4. I absolutely loved the pictures in this book! Making these beads was so much easier than I thought it would be - just as the author promised. The instructions were so clear that I was really inspired by these new jewelry making techniques. I was able to make all of my Christmas presents for my family this year - and I know they are going to love it that I made them. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes fibers, textures and colors. I think you could use these beads in quilting and fiber arts as well as jewelry projects. Everything is so unique.



5. Easy to follow instructions. Colors and textile combinations are inspiring and provide lots of ideas. I've bought several as gifts for my creative and not-so creative friends and they all love it! Elegant and super easy projects so you can complete most anything shown in a weekend. Buy it if you want to learn something new that can be integrated into a wide range of artistic endeavors from textiles, weaving, mixed media, quilting, beading, jewelry making, home decor and much more. I especially love the use of new types of products like WireLace and resin! Kristal's book is a 10+.

1 comments about A Cuff Above (Leisure Arts #4784).

1. This book has a great combination of socks to knit in it. All the instruction are clear and easy to understand and the baby socks are soooo cute.

5 comments about Fleece Dog: A Little Bit of Magic Created with Raw Wool and a Special Needle.

1. This is the best book of this kind I have ever found lots of information well illistrated easy to understand instructions



2. Wonderful full of colour pictures to help you get the colours right can't wait to put the illustrations to good use and become proficient as I am a newbie to needle felting the illustrations make it look easy ...recommend if you are a dog lover



3. This is a fun little book with great instructions, and wonderful ideas for making fleece/felted dogs. Making felt animals is all the rage (have you seen how much people want for the finished product??) and this book will have you doing it before you know it. It takes very little product to produce one of these darling dogs, and they are the perfect "accessory" for those of us who set up dioramas with our dolls, and need "pets"!



4. Needed a book to show me how to make this cute little one. I am glad I got this book as a reference guide.



5. I bought this book thinking it would be full of techniques for making fleece dogs. that part covers a couple of pages. the rest is devoted to a gallery of the author's dogs. there is nothing wrong with 'gallery' books, i find them an inspiration in many of my crafts. but that's not what i paid for. i actually sent this book back, i was feeling so deceived.

5 comments about A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas.

1. I love this book! I both embroider and cross stitch, and for me this book is like a dream come true. This book is both a cross stitch and embroidery book that is divided into sections based on a single color (green, pink, red, blue, white/taupe). Each section starts off with beautiful photos of project ideas, and is followed by motifs used in those projects as well as others. Each project is worked in a single color thread on a simple background, which makes for a very modern and fun effect. I would say that the ratio of cross stitch to embroidery motifs is fairly even. The motifs are very diverse, some are vintage looking, some are very modern and fun.
   
   Some caveats about this book: the how-to section is very sparse, so if you are new to stitching I would suggest a more comprehensive book from which to learn; there are not any directions for any of the "projects" .. the photos are meant to serve as ideas for projects, rather than full directions. Lastly, the book is not spiral bound, which is something that I really feel all craft books should be.
   
   I gotta say though...I own A LOT of craft books, and this is by far one of my favorites. It reminds me of the beautiful books that you can import from Japan with the high quality paper, and gorgeous photos...that is what this book is like. There really are very few designs in here that I don't like... I really like the majority of them...and there are A LOT.
   
   Really an excellant book!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)



2. This book had so many wonderful stitchery patterns from embroidery to cross stitch. Each sections is full of so much inspiration for projects of your own. I would say this book is more for the advanced stitcher and sewist as the instructions are just kept to the basics and quickly covered - which I really appreciate as I want more pages dedicated to the meat of the book. The photos are beautifully done giving you lots of ideas on how you can incorporate your embroidery into projects. The projects shown are not given with instructions to make, but more as a jumping off point for you to add to existing items or to sew up yourself. If you like a craft book that is inspiration and a great piece of eye candy (as well as useful) then this is the book for you.



3. First off - I think this is a great resource for the experienced crafter. I enjoyed it a lot and will use some of the motifs. However there are numerous pictures of household items - pillowcases, aprons, etc. - shown with cross stitched motifs. No discussion is present on how to do counted work on an uncounted fabric. No mention of stitching over linen and removing the threads, nor of using waste canvas. I think this would not be too helpful for the novice stitcher.



4. I love this book. I bought 2 more of them for gifts after I received mine. It is well worth the cost and is full of motifs and wonderful ideas. A must have for your Cross stitch library.



5. This is a very nice book. I love the cross stitch patterns and embroidery motifs. The only thing I was unhappy about, is that most of the patterns need to be enlarged in order to use them.

5 comments about A Is for Apron: 25 Fresh & Flirty Designs.

1. UG this book is just awful the aprons are all so cute I wanted to get started on them right away. I quickly scanned the patterns and then printed them out and pieced them. Then i took my lovely 9 dollar a yard amy bulter and free spirit fabric trying to make the summertime blues apron. Even though i have over 20 years sewing expierence all the kings horses and all the kings men could not make this pattern go together again. I have never had such a time with any pattern, i even often design my own patterns...so i thought i might be able to fix this one. Nope my husband the math major was also at a lose on how to fix it so i picked out my stitches.... thinking i would turn my now mess of scraps into a half apron i tried that next...kaleidoscope.....also didn't turn out correctly either nothing lined up, following the directions you will have the wrong sides showing... I ended up losing the pleated waist band and making a very basic apron with what scraps remained from my 56 dollars in supplies!
   I could have made that half apron that i ended up making without the book using just my cutting board and cutting wheel and a design in my head.
   Don't waste the money on this book, unless you just check it out for the cute fabric combos that is about all it is good for, i can so see something who is just beginning to sew crying over the incrediable waste of fabric and thinking they can't do anything right. I do not understand why all these patterns/directions were not tested by someone before printing.



2. For anyone that's taken a sewing book to the printer for enlarging, and been refused based on copyright laws...point out the following notice on the copyright page:
   
   "The written instructions, photographs, designs, patterns, and projects in this volume are intended for the personal use of the reader and may be reproduced for that purpose only. Any other use, especially commercial use, is forbidden under law without written permission of the copyright holder."
   
   Since mine is a library copy, I was pleased to notice the term 'reader' and not 'owner'...
   COPY AWAY, it's legal and you have the blessing of the publisher and author!!!



3. I loved the artistry the author put into these aprons; however, I just made the Provence Smock and the directions were so bad - I gave up and did it myself (and I'm a beginner). Also, cutting the pieces of fabric, once the patterns are enlarged are also a big problem. There is no cutting directions. So, I cut based on the instructions and had to recut a few times on the straps to get the lining correct. Plus, now one of the straps is backward (but no big deal) because of the lack of directions. Finally, I didn't make a muslin and am a RTW 12 blouse (8 RTW hip) and it's really too small by about an inch or two. It's wearable but not that comfortable (Darn it!) . I could recut the straps. Crazy. It does look like the picture.
   
   Wonderful designs but poor poor instructions! I don't know if I'll make the Lorelei - if I do I am going to figure out the cuts myself before cutting into the fabric. I'd rather have patterns that actually work.



4. I agree with what many other reviewers have pointed out - the designs in the book are cute and inspiring, but the patterns are poorly drafted and the instructions are sketchy at best. I've been sewing for nearly 30 years so thankfully I could improvise on the construction, though I really enjoy the process of following a pattern and instructions. I found these instructions so frustrating as they consistently just did not make sense, and the pieces did not fit together as they should (i.e., the center skirt panel of the apron is 2" longer than the side panels, when they should match up. giving the author the benefit of the doubt and assuming the error had to be my own, I went back to the original pattern and saw that the pieces were in fact drafted incorrectly in the book) This is all very frustrating when you put so much time and money into a project. Thankfully I was able to improvise my own construction and I could finish the apron, but the size was very large, it's really too big for me to wear. I wish the author had put some sort of size indication on the pattern as well, so I might have known this at the outset and avoided making a style that was bound not to fit me. Overall, an extremely disappointing and frustrating book to use.



5. This is a great book because of the focus. It's an apron book and gives great background, vintage imagery and patterns for anyone who wants to make an apron.

3 comments about The Crochet Closet: 15 Designs to Enhance Your Wardrobe (Leisure Arts #4800).

1. Very nice selection of garments in this book. I enjoy seeing a new designer on the horizon. Her garments are not cutting edge trendy, but very fuctional and can be dressed up. I love to get a book with garments that I can refer to when I have a substitute yarn in my stash. I'm glad I got this book since I'm always on the lookout for good garment crochet books.



2. I love this booklet! I found at least 6 clothing items I will actually make! They are modern without being too trendy and I am just starting on the first one, actually the cover jacket. There is a basic diagram with each pattern, which for me allows me to lengthen the sweaters as I am taller than most. Also list info on the yarn with easy ability to vary the yarn used, ie don't have to buy only one type and can probably find some yarn in your stash to use for at least a couple of the projects. The only think that would make this booklet better would be adding stitch diagrams and personally I could do without the 2 vests, to me the style of them doesn't go with the other designs as much and really isn't my style. However, I am very pleased with the number of wearable crochet items in this, I think so far it has the most of any crochet book I have purchased. So I would highly recommend. I am hoping they will come out with more books like these, great job leisure arts!



3. I love crochet, but find myself always knitting--where are the designers who know how to use crochet to make more than granny squares and afghans? The Crochet Closet compiles a collection of wearable crochet in lovely stitch patterns. Finally someone has given us a useful crochet book with beautiful sweaters.

3 comments about Connecting Art to Stitch.

1. I found this good quality hard cover book full of good information, lots & lots of pictures & heaps of colour. I found it very inspiring. It was well set out, easy to read yet packed to the rafters with information with regards to colour, drawing, mixed media & designs. Just what i was looking for.



2. An excellent book to jump start your creative juices as are all of her books.



3. Sandra's latest book is a visual feast, like her previous books. This one in a way goes back one step, to focus mainly on how textile artists can use various fine art techniques to improve their composition, texture and colour skills. Stitch is the final stage in a fairly lengthy process.
   
   Sandra shows her own sketchbooks as source materials in all her books, and this one gives even more instruction on how to develop sketchbooks and allow your creativity to evolve through them. There are no easy shortcuts to doing the work, and in this case, it is playing with pencils, charcoal, crayons, and paints.
   
   This book demands that you do something, whether focused or playful. Most of the illustrations are art related rather than stitch related, so it is more of a manual of inspiration and less of a picture candy book.

3 comments about Japanese Braiding: The Art of Kumihimo.

1. This book is a very good example of the various methods of working with kumihimo, the Japanese form of braiding. The procedures are well explained with excellent photos to accompany the explanations.



2. Excellent book. Good, basic instructions, easy to follow. The best part is the spiral bound and small size. Makes it easier to deal with while using a marudi.



3. Unless you absolutely NEED a spiral bound copy of the book, don't bother. It's an almost exact copy (some images are moved about for space on the pages and the numbers don't EXACTLY correspond ie-pg. 30 is not the same in both books) of the "Beginner's guide to Braiding, The Craft of Kumihimo" Beginner's Guide to Braiding: The craft of Kumihimo published in 1997 in Britain and later in the US.
   
   The reviews listed below the book now, were NOT there when this book became available for preorder (I placed my preorder in January 2009). Had they been, I could have surmised that this book was a reprint of a 1997 edition based on the ages of the reviews.. I really dislike the fact that the book has been retitled, giving no indication of its previous title, nor any reference to the other ISBN.
   
   When I placed my preorder on this book, Ms. Carey had NO information about this incarnation of this edition, no mention that this was a reprinted/rebound copy of an earlier book, on her website. I -love- her books, they're outstanding, but how many copies of one book do I REALLY require on my shelf or on my workbench? In addition, Amazon did not have any further information indicating it was a reprint either.
   
   Ms. Carey has done this with another book as well "200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop or Weave" (published in the US in 2007, Interweave Press 200 Braids to Twist, Knot, Loop, or Weave) and "The Braider's Bible" (published in Britain in 2007, Search Press Ltd.The Braider's Bible).
   
   Not at all fun to realize that the book you purchased, believing it was a UK-Only edition, is actually a copy of what you already had on the shelf. And because it came from the UK, I cannot easily return it (I'd end up spending enough to purchase the book between the original shipping and return shipping).
   
   While I understand that Amazon may not know that these are the exact same books, I do expect the publisher and ESPECIALLY the author, to note that they are exact copies of each book, just rebound with a DIFFERENT TITLE, ISBN and different cover.
   
   The book is beautiful, and if you find that you need a spiral copy of "Beginner's guide to Braiding, The Craft of Kumihimo" 1997, great! At least go into this and spend your money on something knowing what it was originally packaged as. It gets a 1-star for lack of disclosure and reference to a prior edition.
   
   PLEASE NOTE: I rated the spiral bound edition of Japanese Braiding: The Art of Kumihimo, but because they've now linked BOTH titles, it shows up as a bad review of the Beginner's Guide to Braiding: The craft of Kumihimo, which was absolutely NOT my intent. My review ONLY concerns the spiral-bound, newly retitled and newly re-released copy of Japanese Braiding: The Art of Kumihimo.