Crafts Hobbies Books

I really liked this book as I am kind of a "do my own thing my own way" type of person. So if that is you, I think this book may appeal to you. The only thing I would change in her text is that I would add more room to the hip measurement, from 6 to 8 maybe. It just gives a lot of possibilities to work off of and I liked that. I can't buy just all the books I would like but I considered this a good purchase. It may not be that great for a person with no sewing experience at all though but you would have to judge that for yourself. Maybe just think ten times about what and why you are doing something and then cut once.

Lovely ideas, clear instructions. Spiral bound is awesome so you can leave it open as you sew. Loved this book because it helped me work out how to draft a pattern JUST RIGHT for my body. If you want to be able to make yourself a variety of skirts - this book is perfect for you!!

I read the reviews for this book before I purchased it. I was a little taken aback by the negative reviews, but with all the positive ones, I bought it. The book arrived and I was making skirts within the week. My two daughters and I wear loads of skirts. I am a professional quilter, so I know how to sew, but making clothes is different. The book is great in giving me clear directions and great tips. The first two skirts I made were not exactly ones in the book, but slight alterations based on existing skirts. In one afternoon I made two beautiful skirts. When I wore one to the quilt shop, everyone wanted to see the book. I highly recommend it. I am already on to my third skirt. Enjoy, as I do!

I was a little skeptical when I ordered this book but I just completed my first project from this book and I am thrilled. I wish I had this book many years ago. I have always been frustrated with patterns and that whole messy process of getting them ready for use etc(not to mention the price). For the first time I have been 100% satisfied with my finished garment. I loved the easy directions and the method of marking directly to the fabric. The result was gorgeous, trendy, and the process was FUN. I cannot wait to make my next skirt. This book should breath new life into the art of creating one of a kind garments!

There is something wrong when one has to do the proofreading before following a pattern. Does anybody proofread before publishing, especially when math is so crucial to pattern writing. Much to my major disappointment, when I finally pull the book out to sew a skirt with much anticipation and expectation after buying a pretty piece of fabric at a very pretty price and proceed in following the directions to make a semi-circular wrap-skirt, and having cut accordingly, I discover that the math is completely off. N.B. Do not divide the final waistline measurement by 6. This is incorrect information. Yeah, I didn't end up with the skirt I had in mind... and I don't give praises for books that give the wrong information and can cause one much grief and an emptier wallet than initially planned.

This book is fantastic. I am slightly beyond a beginner at crochet and most patterns confuse me. Not these. I quickly whipped up the mother octopus and am now working on the baby penguin. They are too cute. I highly recommend this book and am logged in to see if this author has more.

This is seriously the #1 Amigurumi book, all crocheters should have it in their library! These are the easiest, cutest patterns that I have ever worked with, and the author is awesomely sweet...she will answer any questions!

If you love to crochet quick cute animals and things this is a great book. Amigurumi is my favorite crochet right now and this book is well written and extremely easy to follow. I love this book!

I found out about Amigurumi (crochet toys) from a friend who had bought another book like this. I heard so many good things about this one. All of the toys are based on the same basic shapes, just different colors and "accessories." I am enjoying it though it seems limited. This is a great book for first time amigurumi's. I have ordered two others that are a little more diverse. Amigurumi is very fun to make and can be addicting!!

I own this book and also "Amigurumi: Super Happy Cute Crochet" by Elisabeth Doherty, and also "Kyuuto Japanese Crafts: Amugurumi", so it is difficult for me not to compare this book to those. I happen to like this book the best out of the three, but there are aspects of the other books that are superior. In the Kyuuto Book there are very helpful illustrations for each pattern of how/where to attach all of the limbs. This book does not have those illustrations, so getting the exact limb placement is difficult. In the Amugurumi book by Elisabeth Doherty, she gives a color photograph of an actual size "universal gauge swatch" which is marvelous to have. The patterns in this book do not have a particular gauge, although the author does mention that her tension is quite tight, and how many stitches she gets per inch. However, although I know that gauge is not extrememly important for patterns like this, I like having gauge for all patterns that I do, or something like the universal gauge swatch that Elisabeth Doherty provides. Another thing that I like about Elisabeth Doherty's book better than this book is that she provides the exact yarn that she uses for each pattern. This book will simply say "worsted weight yarn in orange", but if you really like the color that is used in the book it would be helpful if she stated the exact brand and color of yarn used, maybe in a resource section at the end of the book. For example, in the Lion Pattern, I really like the shades of gold and orange that the author used, but I am having a difficult time locating them. If she stated the brand and color, I could easily locate these yarns on the internet. Out of the apx. 6 projects I have made (Mommy Owl, Mommy Penguin, Puppy, Happy Eggs, tiny ami duck/bear/rabbit, and Smiling Dessert cup) one pattern is incomplete, the "Cafe Con Leche Cup" from the "Smiling Desserts"; the pattern is only written to round 7, but from what I can tell by looking at the photograph there should be about 15 rounds total. But from my experience, I have yet to find a crochet book without any errors.

Having said all of this though, this is a fantastic little book, and I only wish there were more projects to do! The projects are quick and easy, and very cute. My kids like to look through the book, and tell me what they want me to make, and in fact I am working on the Daddy Lion, and the Little Pear right now. Patterns included in this book are: Valentines Bears (boy and girl bears), baby lion and his daddy, puppy and his daddy, baby monkey and her daddy, baby penguin and her mommy, baby owl and her mommmy, baby hedgehog and her mommy, boy and girl elephants, baby octopus and her mommy, mr. and mrs. cactus, happy eggs, smiling desserts, tiny ami, little pear and little apple with worm.

The author sells other patterns on etsy, I tried to contact her about patterns for house pets, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, hermit crabs, etc...I think these would be really fun to crochet because they could be crocheted to look like a child's pet, but she never responded to me. Oh well! For any amigurumi crochet designers, or publishers out there, I think an amigurumi "pet" book would be a great idea!!!

All in all, very well done! I am really looking forward to another book by this author, and will be the first to pre-order it when it becomes available!

(As a side note, I acidentally clicked 4 stars, when I really meant 5, when I tried to come back in and edit this, Amazon would not let me. Sorry to the author.......I really think your book is a 5 star book!)

I just started taking sewing lessons where I purchased my Husqvarna Viking machine and they highly recommended this book for a great overview, including tips for all of the essential tools you'll need, how to choose the right sewing machine, etc. It even includes 10 patterns for projects that I'll actually want to do. A lot of other sewing books aren't for beginners, but this one is PERFECT. It's comprehensive yet concise. It's organized very well and fun to read! I love it.

Not only does this book contain some nifty, versatile patterns. It's also chock-full of detailed explanations of techniques, complete with photos. You almost feel as if Diana Rupp is standing behind you as you sew, cheering you on.

This book is great for absolute beginner in sewing.
With a sassy and funny approach, this book walks you through all you need to know to start sewing. From all the tools and their functions, how to organise your work station to how to pick your sewing machine.
Though, I must admit the projects in the book is not totally my style, but it is a good source to know what you can do as a beginner.
Though I am more into the Sew U style, but I must admit this book will give you a more formal teaching down to how to pin the pattern.
If you can, you should get both books.

This book leaves no detail out. I finally get it. It demystified the whole process. I feel confident that I can tackle a project now without any trouble. Sure, there are lots of instructions and tutorials you can find on the internet for free, but there always seemed to be a detail or two that they didn't explain or they assumed the reader knew how to do, so I was always unsure about what to do and how to do it. I've bought several sewing books in the past claiming to be for beginners, but they always assumed that the reader knew about the basics, and I didn't. If you are a beginner, and really don't know the first thing, or even if you know a few things, but not as much as you would like, this book will be the perfect book for you. I'm so glad I bought it. I can finally put all those patterns I bought to good use.

I purchased this book a few months back as I knew I wanted to learn how to sew but I had never even touched a machine. Since reading the book I've also begun taking a sewing class at my local vis arts center. If it wasn't for this book, I'd be completely lost! I've just bought my first sewing machine too. I shopped around for a long time and knew exactly what questions to ask and what I wanted to get out of it, since the book has a great section on picking a machine. She makes everything very easy to understand and fun to read. I could not recommend this book enough!! It's so educational for anyone who's trying to figure out how to get started. There's a great section on fabrics - how to use them, what to look for for different projects. I can't wait to get my machine and start sewing some of the great designs she's incorporated into the book, all with patterns!

I have recently became interested in sea glass after finding a few beautiful peices when I ordered this book. I was not dissappointed! This book is very informational and beautifully illustrated. I found a match for a peice I had found in the book, allowing me to date the peice.

I love this book and will keep in on my coffee table along with my display of my precious finds! It's a joy just to flip through and just look at the pictures.

Everything you would ever need to know about seaglass is in this book! VERY interesting!!! I love it & could read my copy over & over!

Nice book with nice pictures. Haven't had time to actually sit and read thru it.

My wife and I collect sea glass daily on the Oregon coast. This book did give us a good explaination of what types and the possible origin of glass we've found. Lots of pictures to compare the various colors of sea glass which indicates rare to common. A good reference book for sea glass collectors.

This is an absolutely beautiful book. For the coffee table or for the serious sea glass hunter. It is informative yet it is not just a book for adults..............it was a gift for my daughter's 11th birthday as she has showed a great interest in this "hobby". The book was delivered in no time!

I am very happy with the speed of delivery, price and condition of the book.Thanks!!!

Great book. It is a must for any sewer of garments. Great tips and good directions.

I bought this sewing guide looking for the advanced time-saving construction techniques used in the garment industry. Sadly, I didn't find them in this book, despite the glowing reviews. It is a good textbook and reference manual on basic sewing. The information is clearly presented with excellent and plentiful illustrations. However, the skills depicted are ones I mastered quite a while ago. I will keep this book in place of others in my library, but this was an expensive experiment. I would not recommend this book to anyone over an intermediate skill level.

This book is GREAT! I use it for my sewing class in college, and it comes in very handy! It's a good reference to fall on even for the expert of sewers! It's a must have for sewers of all levels!

While many of the techniques are covered in some of the other sewing textbooks you might have read one techique in particular stands out to me as I have never seen this elsewhere is how to sew a all in one facing professionally. Normally the intructions tell you to leave the shoulder seams open and then "hand sew" them. Not this one it shows you how to do the factory way. If you don't own any other sewing books then this is the one to get

If you are new to Lego Mindstorms then you are also probably new to Lego Technics. This book not only covers how to program robots but also how to build them with Lego Technics parts and makes use of many well laid out and easy to follow diagrams. This book should be included with every lego Mindstorms set.

This "Unofficial" book is very good. David does a great job of showing exactly how to build each project with informative snapshots from the program Lego Digital Designer. The programming was missing a little of information on what to fill in the for each module, but his comments provided enough information to fill in the modules. I did have a question for David and he responded with the answer I was looking for.

This is a great beginner/intermediate level book for both kids and adults. The building section is excellent at explaining HOW to use the technic pieces. The programming section is a very good primer for those new to the NXT-G programming environment and language. It sets you up well for the building & programming projects found later in the book. As a middle school teacher running a robotics club, I set some of my more advanced 6th graders to work on whatever project they wanted to from the book. They jumped into taking on the guard-bot and the golf-bot which are the more advanced projects. With little guidance from me, they were very successful and had a blast. That shows how well written and designed the book is!

The Unofficial Lego Mindstorms NXT Inventors Guide

Author: David J. Perdue
website: http://www.davidjpredue.com ; http://www.nxtguidedavidjpredue.com
Strengths: Very nice schematics, parts listings and visuals to highlight or the parts for the machines. Easily readable. Good for novice robot builders but also advanced users will find it helpful as well.

Weaknesses: The book has black/white text.

Novice/Intermediate/Advanced

Rating: 5/5

reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)


Introduction

I have been working with robot kits for many years. I started with the Fischertecknik robot turtle which I built and was able to use with the logo interface with my Apple IIE. Later on I heard about Lego Mindstorms and bought a set to use. It was tough going and after much delay because of the programming and the light issues with the brick, I was able to get legos finally working. Since then, I have worked with several kits and working with PC and Macintosh interfacing. But I was still looking for more a more helpful guides to build more interesting robots. I think I found one in The Unofficial Lego Mindstorms NXT Inventors Guide.

This author David J. Perdue knows his stuff and Lego Mindstorms. He has been creating MINDSTORMS since 2001 and just won the NXT Camera Bot Building Challenge competition and is the author of Competitive MINDSTORMS (Apress, 2004). He has received three Special Mention awards for his creations on the official online MINDSTORMS and is a full time student, pursuing a degree in Management information Systems in Texas. So I opened the book to see what else I could find out and how I could use the book for my LegoMindstorms in the future.

In the beginning, it was difficult to use Mindstorms. For me the kit did not work at all. Working with Macintosh was not an option. There were minimal additional information for working with the robots beyond the parts, software and initial schematics. I had to use a PC. This version works with PC (needs Windows XP or higher and will or already have shipped Vista version) or Macintosh OSX (version 103.9 and higher). It was not until later that I learned from a Legos salesman that the light in the room could be an issue. Its little things like this that kept me and possible others, from doing more with robotics.

I was hoping that the book started with novice programmers and robot creators. This books has "novice " beginning information so this book can be used with those who are new to Lego Mindstorms or are upgrading to the NXT version. It is good to know that this advanced robotic author, is "down to earth" with his writing and when "speaking" the language of robots. I have not upgraded to the NXT version yet and so and wanted to see whether it is would be worth upgrading myself but if so how and what ways could the robots be used with this new version.

The black and white screenshots are integrated within the instruction. The visuals are large enough to read and decipher what you need to know. The lack of color does not really hurt. I really liked the screenshots and illustrations listings of the parts for assembly. However it would have been nice if they were in color (the parts are a multitude or colors. Tables do however include numbers, piece names and the place color however. When you need more information about the parts, they are all there listed and illustrated/ photographed.

Throughout the book, there are helpful ideas in the way of bold notes that are "peppered" throughout the tutorials. In addition, there are pointers that go along with the "balloons " which have text inside of them about related to the robot parts. Circles and arrows highlight the illustrated areas in the screenshots that the author is clearly targeting for his instructions. This makes the understanding of the parts even more explicit.

The introduction introduces Lego Mindstorms, NXT, building , programming and starting and working with robotic projects. Here is an outline of the chapters and what is in store for you.

Part I in entitled "Introduction to LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT". In the Chapter 1, LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT starts off with building robots, the programming of robots, activating robots and what can you do with robots and NXT. Chapter 2 is includes solid but easy to understand information about starting with the NXT robotic set.

Part II illustrates the building with 4 chapters. There is electronic pieces, understanding the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT pieces, the need and building sturdy structures, and working with and building with gears

Programming section is in Part III . Chapter 7 introduction has a nice introduction to the NXT-G system. Later 3 chapters involve advanced NXT-G programming a. There is also more in the form of unofficial programming languages for the NXT.

Part IV involves 6 robot projects and that is where your in-depth robotic education really begins. You are taught the author's Mindstorms method, and working with 6 nice in-depth but easy to understand projects.

Appendices are good resources. Appendix A has LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT piece library. The Appendix B NXT-G has nice quick reference guide section that includes information for advanced programming to perform more intricate tasks. The author details a lot of the complexity, not only with words but also visually illustrates how to and in what ways to to complete the array of blocks, sensors and programming information. While it is not easy to learn, this section takes you "once step at a time". Appendix C informs with other internet resources.

Conclusions

I recommend this book highly for its in-depth tutorials, the visual schematics and the quality of the reading that makes the information well understood. No one said building robots was easy but with this book, you will learn and go further than you thought you could achieve. What I like about this book and the way the author has crafted this book is that he actually invited you to build robots in a none intimidating way. The in-depth information, the visual assemblies and tables, and the easy to read information along with the tutorials will allow you not only start but develop your skills in robot building. You will learn to be creative but at the same learning the logic of the machines and how to build robotics. I know there are many books that teach Lego Mindstorms out there but I am glad I chose this one first.

I'm a coach of a FIRST LEGO League team and I bought this book to help my son "get to the next level." I am making this book mandatory for every team member next season! It is informative, yet easy to read. It covers all the bases from good robot design to programming explanations. I can't recommend it enough!

I love the graphics and the paper that this book is printed on. Be aware that most of the cutting is pretty challenging, even for my first graders. If your child doesn't have great fine motor skills, be prepared to help them with the cutting. That being said, it is great for developing those skills that teachers don't have a lot of time to teach these days- like cutting and gluing.

My mom always said, give your kids a pair of scissors and they'll be happy for hours. She was right, but even more so with this book. When my oldest was in pre-K, the teachers encouraged us to have her cut, color, and draw at home to develop fine motor control and hand strength, as pre-writing skills. This book gives your kids something fun to cut, and by the end, they're cutting much more complex configurations, without pain. Highly recommended!

The only thing not to like about this book is why, at almost $7, could they not have perforated the pages?! I've bought coloring books at the dollar store with perforated pages. I'd take off a star for this, but the book itself rates 6 stars in my book...

My 3 yr old daughter is almost done with this book now, and we'll be getting more Kumon books - and that great Chicken Socks cutting book, too.

I teach three year olds. I bought this book to help them with their cutting skills and I really like it. I only have to say "Who wants to do a page out of the cutting book ?" and I have a full table and some waiting in line. They really like it.

I really am quiet pleased with this book, I know how hard cutting can be and to help my daughter. My daughter loves this book and the others we have and actually wants to do the work book or to go and do "homework" as she calls it.

The book starts out with very basic cuts and then as the pages progress the cut work gets more challenging. The artwork is cute and I can say that this book has helped my daughter cut with confidence and her cutting has gotten much better. She's only been in pre-kindergarten for 2 weeks and my daughter's teacher says it shows that we've been practicing cutting.

The other Kumon books we have and like are: Lower Case Letters and folding which is also another really neat task for your child to get good at and also has some really cool photos and pictures.
My only complaint is that I wish the pages where perforated for easily removal.

I know this already has great reviews, but I just had to write what an amazing job this book has done for my 5 year old son. I just gave him one page a day to cut, and I can't believe the improvement in his cutting. Even better, I never corrected him, just said what a great job he was doing (this is what the book says to do). I was skeptical that this approach would work, but it has!! Best money I ever spent on a workbook.

"I am just learning how to make and sew my own patterns. I feel this book does a really great job at explaining and demonstrating through text and illustrations what is to be done. The only thing that I would like to see in this book would be how the actual construction of the patterns into garments is done. For example where do you start to sew on the pattern, what kind of stitch to use where, etc. Other than that the book will be an excellent reference for measuring, and pattern making.

I love this book. I haven't actually made a pattern out of it yet, but just reading it gave me such an insight into pattern making and modifying. I'm waiting to have a bit of time and the right paper to start. You can even make a double of yourself with the measurements you take, an inexpensive way of trying garments instead of the expensive options. I recommend this book to anyone that sews and wants to go beyond the tracing, cutting patterns and following instructions to sew. MN, Ireland.

This is a terrific book! I've just started working my way through it and I'm impressed. I've used other methods before, but this one seems workable.

You know how sometimes you just loved a certain class because the teacher made it so easy and fun to learn?
Well...this book is just like it!

I read some reviews saying that the book was written a long time ago, but the basics are all there! The writer seems to really enjoy teaching and doesn't overpower you with detail, yet explains all the important points in a very unique perspective. If you have never sewn anything in your life (besides pillow cases:)), then this book is for you! I would highly recommend it to every beginning tailor or seamstress.

I bought this book after reading many of the reviews right here on Amazon. I have several other books on patternmaking, sloper-making, and fitting, and they all have some merit, but this is by far the best book.

There seems to be some confusion in the negative reviews of this book regarding what this book is about. This is not a book that shows you pictures of clothes (like a fashion magazine) and then tells you how to make them. It teaches the reader the principles of design in a very thorough manner in order to allow the reader to create their own designs.

It gives the reader precise, detailed instructions on how to create slopers for bodices, sleeves, pants, and skirts. It gives detailed fitting instructions for difficult to fit bodies - sloping or uneven shoulders, rounded backs, post-mastectomy, tummies and/or thighs, asymmetrical bodies, etc. It is the most thorough book I've seen. It allows the reader to make a master garment that fits the client perfectly. That is the first and most important step in pattern creation. If the clothes don't fit properly they can never look good on the client no matter what the style or fabric. The master garment can also provide the reader with the information they need to fit commercial patterns to the client.

It then goes on to explain design techniques - how to move darts, change darts to seams and vice versa, how to add fullness, how to change necklines, add pleats, etc., - so that the reader can create any type of garment they desire. There are many examples to show how to create many types of looks. If the reader has visions of garments they'd like to create, this book will make it happen.

The combination of the master garment and the design techniques allow the reader to create garments they desire with incredible fit, no matter the body type.

The section on pants fitting is especially good, and is probably the only pants-making-fitting guide you will ever need.

There is even a section - believe it or not - on making a dress form from cardboard. I haven't tried it yet. I may for one of my clients, but considering that good dress forms cost a minimum of $3-400, and can cost a lot more - it might be worth the effort.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Even if the reader only goes through the process of creating the master garments to aid in the fitting of commercial patterns, it is well worth it because this kind of understanding can take their overall garment-making to a much higher level.

This book exceeded my expectations. It has a really broad range of patterns and I love the way they are grouped by yarn weight. If you're holding a skein of yarn, wondering what you can knit with it, just go to that weight's section and find something suitable.

Notable find inside: a really cute baby dress knit from one skein of sock yarn.

Love the book! A lots of fun and interesting designs. Beautiful lacy patterns and convinient layout. Have a few on my list to knit next :)

I refer to this book often to get ideas on how i can use up my stash.

I love this book! It is one of the few knitting books I own, I am super picky about what I add to my collection. I have made several of the patterns in the book and am planning to make more. The only downside to this book is that there are a lot of errors in it. Make sure you go to the publisher's website before making any of the patterns so you can have the corrected instructions.

I have both One Skein Wonders books, love both of them for small, elegant projects (this one is a bit more sophisticated) that make wonderful gifts and give us maniac crafters something to do when more challenging knitting or crochet projects seem a little too much for the moment. It's also a terrific way to test a new yarn for its drape and feel -- oh yes -- and a great way to splurge on a single ball of luxury yarn when a sweater's worth just isn't in the budget. A great favorite of mine...