5 comments about More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric.

1. As described, book was used but in good condition. Book arrived couple of days ahead of scheduled delivery. Very pleased with delivery response and book.



2. This is an awesome book to say the least. Anyone who sews needs this guide book so as to understand how to work with just about any fabric you will come across to sew on. Sandra tells you how to care for the fabric, pre-treat, what stitches work out best, what styles this fabric looks best sewn up into, what needle to use, thread, interfacing, on and on. As always, Sandra knows her stuff and makes a beautiful presentation doing it! If you are skiddish about working with a fabric, you need this to help you through the process.



3. More Fabric Savvy: A Quick Resource Guide to Selecting and Sewing Fabric I was very happy with the price and physical quality of this product. The shipping and handling was reasonable for an expedited rate. However I'm disappointed in the quality of the material presented in the book. The photos are ridiculously outdated and information was extemely limited and vague. This was an average price reference guide but I feel as though it offered below average information. In this case I definitely DID NOT get what I paid for, I got far less.



4. This book has been one that I use when selecting fabric for a project. She talks about different fabrics, how it handles, what garments will work best, lining, needles, threads etc. I typically use it when I start a project and want to try something different. It has been a unique and useful addition to my collection of sewing books. I purchased my copy used from Amazon and was pleased with the condition. Just like new.



5. I am a seamstress and have been for many years. This is one of my prized possessions in my sewing library. I have other books on fabrics but this one gets 10 stars. Not only does it list various attributes of the fabric but it tells you how to treat it, what foot is preferable, stitch length, etc. It is thorough. Also buy the first book Fabric Savvy. You won't be disappointed.

No comments about Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs XX.

5 comments about The Rag Rug Handbook.

1. I recently received this book as a gift and have found it to be just what I was looking for. It clarifies the various methods of rug making, along with tons of great diagrams and easy to read (and follow)instructions. Plenty of photographs, tons of great ideas and methods of creating a unique rug for any need. Worth the time and money. Beginner - intermediate weavers will appreciate this book!



2. I found it a little to easy for me, it is a good book for a real beginner



3. I'm a new weaver and Janet Meany puts things in simple language that is easy to understand. The author actually wrote to me personally about questions on weaving. Highly recommend this book.



4. This is an excellant book value. There are multiple projects to weave into finished rugs with clear instructions. It was recommended to me by a weaving instructor before her class and I'm so glad I have it in my library.



5. Good book for beginner -- focussing on techniques peculiar to rag rugs. all the set up & process illustrations are hand drawn rather than photgraphs -- mostly in black and white. The photographs of projects are mostly in black and white, a few color. Not very exciting visually, BUT excellent, easy to understand and follow directions for process and pattern reading. Projects seem to go from beginner to elaborate. I am glad I bought it.

5 comments about Hook, Loop 'n' Lock: Create Fun and Easy Locker Hooked Projects.

1. I had never heard of locker hooking until a friend discovered it and showed it to me. I found this book to be very informative as to how to do this craft and now it is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening, or even an afternoon, for that matter. The book features some really great projects, some simple and some more involved. I really like it and am now an enthusiastic locker hocker! Thank you, Amazon.com.!



2. This book has easy to understand instructions with accompanying illustrations to help the beginner get started. Patterns range from easy to more difficult and span a wide range of projects (rugs, lamps, purses, coasters). I love it!



3. I am so glad to grab a copy of this book. The step by step instructions are easy to follow and understand. I have done a set of 4 coaster which I conducted a giveaway draw in my blog. I am doing a bigger project, a rug for myself.



4. I haven't used the book yet, but have spent alot of time looking through it. I tried a number of local craft stores and was unable to find it so was very happy to find it on Amazon and for a great price. The supplies may be a little hard to find. I finally figured out that except the hook being special the rest of the supplies are pretty common items. Your imagination is your only limit. Have fun and practice before trying to do anything complicated.



5. I was really pleased with this: wonderful, clear photos outlining every step of the process; great instructions; a good variety of colorful, fun projects.

5 comments about 50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws.

1. I have this book, and while the afghans are lovely the instructions leave much to be desired. I have finished two afghans from the book and am working on a third. After that I will give the book to Goodwill. The frustration of the instructions is not worth the results when there are so many good pattern books out there.



2. Many beautiful pictures, but some of the afghans are just colorful renditions of old patterns. If you dont have many books yet this might be a good one for you, but it was a little dissapointing. Many of the "effects" were created by embroidering on top of the afghan rather than actually crocheting.



3. This book has fantastic photos, but pattern instructions, wools and needles are all inappropriate for Australian readers.



4. I was very disappointed with this book. I will not use any of these patterns. If you look carefully, you will see that two of the afghans are the same pattern, with different colors.



5. I bought this book mainly for the instuctions for the afghan on the cover, but there are some very nice surprizes inside as well. Can't wait to finish current projects so I can get started on this one.

2 comments about Finnish American Rag Rugs: Art, Tradition, and Ethnic Continuity.

1. "Conservativism and dynamism are two powerful forces pulling at the traditions of [Finnish] rag rug weaving...Over time, Finnish American rag rugs have changed in size, content, appearance, and function from those made by the immigrant generation." Lockwood, a Michigan folklife museum curator and author of books on Michigan folklife, covers the origins, evolution, and present of this distinctive folk art tradition practiced mostly on Michigan's upper peninsula. The style of much of the book is like oral history as the content is based on interviews with rag rug weavers with nearby photographs of them holding a rug of theirs. Most of the weavers are women, though there are enough men so this is not unusual. Lockwood also goes into techniques and equipment for the rug-making, especially the all-important loom, with respective photographs.
   
   The Finnish rugs have changed "in size, content, appearance, and function from those made by the immigrant generation" of the earlier 1800s. The larger rugs often made up of narrower rugs sewn together covering entire room floors have given way to scatter rugs. Rugs from the modern era also make use of modern fabrics such as polyesters, brightly-colored cottons, and subtly-colored pastels. Even plastic bread wrappers have been used by some weavers in the innovation constantly going on within the bounds of the tradition. Today, some rag rugs are made specifically as products for folk art collectors and mementos for visitors to Michigan.
   
   Lockwood's book is comprehensive and learned. With its balance between academic-like historical and ethnic material and material for popular interest in a colorful tradition and its craft, it appeals to varied types of readers.



2. Among their contributions to American popular culture, Finnish immigrants are especially noted for weaving ordinary rages into extraordinary rugs. "Finnish American Rag Rugs: Art, Tradition, and Ethnic Continuity" by Yvonne R. Lockwood (Curator of Folklife Emeritus, Michigan State University Museum) is a profusely illustrated, 256-page compendium of impeccable and original scholarship providing an informed and informative history of Finnish settlement in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with a special focus on their tradition of rag weaving, a homespun craft that over the centuries in their homeland had reinforced their ethnic identity, attitudes, beliefs, and values. A simply fascinating read which will prove to be of immense interest to cultural anthropologists and needlecraft enthusiasts alike, "Finnish American Rag Rugs: Art, Tradition, and Ethnic Continuity" is highly recommended for both academic and community library collections.

3 comments about Basic Rug Hooking: Everything You Need to Begin Hooking Rugs Paperback.

1. This is a great book with easy to follow instructions and lots of rug hooking information for every level of hooker.



2. This book answers so many questions, that others leave out. Simple little things that make your experience a good one.
   I do wish I had gotten this one first, but the others are good for my library and reference.
   For a craft not done much anymore, or not as well known, I would buy this anytime and advise you to purchase also.
   
   Peace
   dsss



3. If you want to learn to hook rugs the tradtional way with a some what modified crochet hook then this is the book for you. I have been a hooker for about 10 years and this gave me some of the information missing in other books. Great for beginners or even some seasoned hookers.

No comments about Geometric Hooked Rugs: Color and Design (Framework).

5 comments about The Braided Rug Book: Creating Your Own American Folk Art.

1. Easy to understand instructions for the beginner & lots of picture illustrations make this a great craft book to own. Would love to have suppliers listed for Australia



2. Although this book is very attractive, I was disappointed, as I often am with "how to" books, in that the authors are so expert and know their subject so well they cannot or do not put themselves in the position of the neophyte. If you already know how to create a braided rug but need more expert guidance, this is a good book for you. Otherwise, it is too difficult.
   
   The Braided Rug Book: Creating Your Own American Folk Art



3. My grandmother taught me the basics of how to braid rugs when I was young. When she passed on, I received her materials, and some of her very beautiful braided rugs. I would like to start braiding again but thought it would be helpful, after all these years, to learn more. This book has been very helpful with easy to understand instructions and pictures.



4. This is a great book for first-timers. Clear instruction on the basics and beyond and the encouragement to be your own artist. Lots of helpful tips about materials, time consumption, braiding techniques, colorations and care of your rugs.



5. This book really helped me correct some of my trouble spots I had with my braiding. And has some really neat ideas for future projects. Easy to understand and follow.

5 comments about Floorquilts!: Fabric Decoupaged Floorcloths--No-Sew Fun.

1. this is a great book to have in your craft library. although there are many steps to making a floor quilt, the directions are clear and the photos are helpful. in the back there are suggestions and directions for bookmarks and luggage tags using the same process as the rugs. i'm glad i bought it!



2. I used this book in a class. It was recommended by our instructor.
   This book was very helpful. It Provided the information to make the project.
   I would recommend this book to all as a resource if you are making a
   floor cloth out of fabric.



3. Years ago, my grandmother made floor coverings during the great depression out of scrap items. This wonderful book is a modern day version of her creations. I highly recommend it for a fun craft. I don't sew per se but found this great fun. I am a fabric doll artist and had lots of fabric scraps laying around that made a great floor quilt. I followed the instructions in the book, which were quite clear, and made a free form design that has become one of my favorite projects. If you are a traditional quilter I believe you will have a lot of fun creating the floor quilts.



4. I should wait to write this review til I try this but the book itself is one of the best craft books I own (and my libary of craft books is in the several hundreds of books). VERY clear instructions. A wonderful number and variety of patterns which will inspire you to think of others and not just copy the ones in the book. I cannot wait to try this.



5. I Love this book! I saw this book in the library and once looking thru it I knew I had to own it!! I have started my first and already have ideas for others. Instructions are easy, products needed are easy to find. Some I have gotten at the local dollar store, some I had and others I can get on Amazon or Ebay...easy peasy! Or she has the places you can buy in the back of the book....she makes it soooo easy to have fun with the Floor Quilts.