Crafts Hobbies Books

I bought this sight unseen, based on the reviews here. I was massively disappointed. There is not a single piece that I would wear! The lace patterns were boring to look at, and the clothes themselves are nowhere near my style.

I love lace and this book has helped me further my knitting skills with them.

I like lace designs. Not only do they offer an old-world feel, but they represent luxury. I went to several stores to find a good book on lace knitting, but felt uninspired by what I found until I came across this one. The designs are beautiful. Whoever was the creative art director for this book did an outstanding job. All of the photographs offer various views - close ups, back views, different angles. I am especially charmed by the "Featherlight Lingerie Dress" which is not only beautiful, but very fashion forward. The instructions are easy to read and understand and often offer drawings.

Designs in this books range from small projects to large ones, from socks to dresses. They are all very feminine and delicate, being great examples of the delicate texture of lace knitting. Anyone who loves lace knitting will surely treasure this book and refer to it for many years to come.

What makes the book really worthwhile to me is the information in the back about how to knit lace and how it works, which side of the yarn overs to put the decrease to emphasize the openness of the work, etc.

Even the patterns I didn't care for, I found good ideas in to take to use my way, like stealing a lace pattern to use on a shawl.

I received this book a few months ago and it wasn't until last week that I tried one of the patterns. It was the Lace Trim cami, shown on the back cover. This was not a simple pattern, made with #3 crochet thread and size 3 needles. It had multiple steps and took some time. Once the bodice was made and assembled, lots of finishing touches had to be knitted.
The photos and instructions for this delicate garment were very clear and thorough, easy to follow one step at a time. The cami is fully fashioned with lots of shaping, even darts! It's finally completed, and mine actually looks like the one pictured, very professional. (That doesn't always happen, sad to say).
Lace Style is now part of my permanent knitting library, and while I haven't chosen a second pattern, I look forward to trying more.

This is a 'second-stage' book suitable for those with potential for plenty of space, time and machinery. It has minimal coverage of basic workbench and hand tools practice, and simple handyman projects, although storage and space-saving ideas are well covered. The book is ideal for those aspiring to make the big jump to a larger, machinery equipped, productive work place, with better and safer work practices (and will certainly guide my future and hopeful aspirations).

When the first couple reviews for a book are all 5 stars, I tend to wonder whether the author's friends and relatives are doing their part to pump up sales. I'm writing this review in case you're like me in that regard. Fear not, I've got no connection whatsoever with anyone involved with this book.

As a new woodworking hobbyist, I found this book informative and helpful. The writing was clear and readable, the photos and graphics well-done. More importantly, for me the breadth and depth of information was just right. Example: there was a simple, informative piece on the best power tools to start off with -- and then there was another to offer a different perspective. Some goes with coverage of dust control, with several different angles presented.

This book doesn't try to be all things to all people. I doubt anyone with serious woodworking experience would find this book worth buying. On the other hand, if finances or space limit your tool choices to a circular saw and a drill, look elsewhere -- this book really is for folks setting up a shop with the tools to go with it. Its also more oriented towards power tools than hand tools.

I think the ideal reader would be someone with a garage to fill and a $5000 budget to spend. That's not me on either count, and I do wish the book had focused more on small hobbyist starter shops and less on professional, two-car garage shops with every tool.

But I still got a lot out of it, and I'd buy it again without hesitating. However, I don't own any of the other books on setting up a shop, so can't compare their relative merits.


--- Coming back to this review a month later, I think I was wrong to give it only 4 stars. This has been the one book I've turned to the most as I continue setting up my shop, and I get something useful out of it every time. Amazon doesn't seem to let you change your star rating after the fact, but now I'd give it 5 stars without hesitation.

This book has its positive points, but encouraging someone who wants to create a small workshop is not one of them. Instead it tends to make you feel bad about not having 1000+ sq. ft. of space to allocate to a wood shop. They've reprinted six articles that describe wood shops, but only one fits my definition of "small." The rest describe spaces 600, 720, 1296, and two at 2400 sq. ft. I guess if you are making a "small" commercial shop, 2400 sq. ft. is not out of the question, but if woodworking is just a hobby, 200-400 sq. ft. is a more common limitation.

It also has two (related, overlapping in content) articles on dust collection; one of the articles is useful, but another seems redundant. Seems like the editors were looking for filler articles.

I would have given this book more stars--3 or 4--if it hadn't claimed to be about "small" shops. However I wouldn't have purchased it in that case, because I already have general woodshop design books--and in fact almost all the information in this one I've seen in my other books. And it really is just a collection of articles rather than a coherent whole.

In particular, I find How to Design and Build Your Ideal Woodshop (Popular Woodworking) to be much more appropriate. It talks about how to design a small workshop in much greater detail. I also have an earlier edition of Setting Up Shop, Completely Revised and Updated: A Practical Guide to Designing and Building Your Dream Shop, which is quite good.

At first when I started reading the book I thought I was in store for a long treatise on how to build a professional workshop. If you are in the market for that information, I am sure this book will get you started. Where I found the book most useful was in seeing how each person used the space available. In one instance, the shop design was a professional spread with a specific location for each step of the woodworking process. In another instance, the shop design was for a professional who had limited space. Both extremes helped me visualize how my home workshop (my garage) might be better used. I gained a lot from reading the book. Reading it is not a necessity, however. You may gain the same information the authors did by making the same mistakes as they did or you can learn vicariously from them and the examples.

Now, one thing I recommend for most hobbyists; while reading the book, do not get discouraged or dismissive. Read the book for ideas about how to make your workspace more usable and more efficient. If you do, you will not be disappointed.

Reading this book has prepared me well with ideas to consider in setting up my first real workshop when I move to a new house in the coming year. Good graphics and photos too!

This is a excellent book for adding beads to just about ANYTHING! All the directions for these patterns are in the book - plus all the examples of the stitches. The entire alphabet, lots of flowers, a wedding section and even Christmas! Also, it has an extensive section on how to add beads to clothes. I love this book!
Karen from:
Made With Love By Karen in Oregon

THE BOOK IS GOOD AND VERY PROFESIONAL! MR. KING WAS SO VERY KIND TO ANSWER ME HIMSELF ON MY QUESTION ABOUT THE BOOK!!

BUT THIS IS A BOOK THAT DOES NOT HEAVE A GALLERY OF MASTER PICES!!! EVRY BOOK DOES USUALY HAS A GALLERY!! PITTY?!

LOUISA

I was impressed with the level of class and style this was able to inspire as well as being clearly written.

I looked forward to the publication of this book, because I had seen and been impressed by the author's clothing. However, it turned out to be a disappointment in many ways. There are some very good instructions, especially on using sequins, but most of the book is given over to a number of designs which I guess are for use on clothing. I found most of them completely uninspiring and I wish more space had been given to techniques.

I was really disappointed in this book. I have heard to much about the author but never seen any of his work. This almost seemed it was meant for high end evening gowns. Also for me there was maybe one or two patterns out of the 150 I would have maybe made. I sent this back.

highly recommended. beautiful photos - clear instructions - gorgeous designs. As a vintage ribbon work lover, this book has it all.

when you want to make a gift special this book will have your flowers very creative and lets you pick those special colors with out a lot of mess. great book

Excellent. Very easy instructions and easy projects. I was immediately able to make beautiful flowers out of ribbon. Highly recommended.

This book is all you need to know - materials, techniques, inspiration for projects. If you'd like to learn ribbonwork, this is the only book you need.

This is the 3rd book I've bought on making ribbon flowers and it is certainly the one to make it easier for you. Her flower directons make your ribbon flowers look like the ones you buy.

I have had this book a couple of weeks and have gone through it several times reviewing projects that I want to do. I realize that many reviewers consider this a beginner book but I am enough of a newbie to appreciate it. I had purchased Petra Kaiser's earlier book,Fuse It, liked it well enough to want to read this one. I enjoyed the projects in the second book a lot. I will certainly be making several of them. I had not worked with fiber board before and looking forward to experimenting with it.I was reather disappointed one of her cover projects were not really detailed at all in the book. There was a small picture with a three or four lines under the pic about it. That happened to be one that I was interested in but I am certain I can work it out myself but would have liked to have a bit more about the projects.

All in all I liked the book and as I said, will make several of the projects. I will also push myself into playing with creating my own molds with fiber board. For me, a successful addition to my library of books on this subject.

It was a disappointing book. I'm just getting started in fusing and slumping. I was wanting more instruction and more ideas than this book gives. I wouldn't not recommend it.

This is a great book for the glass fusing novice. It provides step by step directions for several projects as well as a solid overview of the process involved in art of warm glass.

I find this book very informative for the new glass artist. Easy to read and understand. It provides easy to follow directions for some nice pieces. I feel that making a beauiful piece sucessfully gives a person the motivation to spread their wings and try new and different things! This book is a good place to start.

This is a good intro class to glass fusing. It walks you thru projects and explains the various stages of glass fusing in the kiln. The graphs explain the kiln firing-"ramping", "Flash Cooling", when to "Hold Temp" in an easy to understand way. This is the perfect first book to start fusing glass. 200 color photographs. Idiot proof.

I was looking for a book to learn a little more about sewing and something to inspire me. I came across this book and thought it looked pretty cool. My girlfriend thinks it's funny that I sew and she doesn't but when she sees the stuff I have been making from this book, she's been straight up impressed. I have been sewing Tshirts on my Juki overlock machine with the pattern from this book. I've made them for me and my GF. She's totally into them. The warp dress isn't her style but I made it anywase for the practice and experience. It was really easy and came out great. It was also the first time making a button hole for me. It's crazy the little things that you end up learning with such a simple project. I've also learned to sew with leather and i've been making leather wallets and clutches that have been selling on etsy. I recommend this book for anyone wanting to be inspired and up their sewing and serging skills.

I took a beginner sewing class at Sew Fast Sew Easy and my instructor was Kenley Collins from this season's Project Runway. I didn't know it at the time that she was a contestant so to my utter shock and awe! I saw her on the Season premiere of the show. It was really cool to see her on TV. She was a great instructor. I totally trust this company in everything they stand behind and teach. I ordered their new book Sew On and once again am really impressed with their products. The book is easy to follow and has great information on sergers and overlock machines. The patterns are easy to follow and the final garments fit great. It doesn't surprise me that Kenley Collins would teach with such a great company.

I was really impressed with the Sew Fast Sew Easy book so when I received an email from Amazon about this new book I was excited to see what it had to offer. It goes over basics to sewing, which is good for beginners, then it moves onto serging and overlocking tips, which is great for anyone wanting to sew more knits and have a professional look to their finishings. Beginners and more advanced sewers can appreciate thit. The patterns that are included are excellent. The dress pattern is my favorite from the book. It's so simple and so cute on. It's a wrap dress so it's easy to fit. Thanks Amazon for the heads up on this book!

I recieved my sew on book a couple weeks ago and have being sewing like a maniac! These projects are simple to follow but don't be fooled, the ottoman project is challenging. My daughter wants to learn to sew and I've been so impressed with this book that I ordered the Sew Fast Sew Easy book for her. This book is a good beginner book but has more developed projects that a true beginner could find a little difficult. The patterns that come with this book are great. Finding a basic TShirt pattern is rather difficult. The wrap dress can fit any size and shape. The illustrations are helpfull and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. I definitely recommend this book to any level of sewer but if your a true beginner, be ambitious. This book will move you through sewing fast.

I bought this book on a whim. I was browsing amazon, bored of the normal sewing books and this "Sew On" book caught my eye. I have a serger that I use only for finishing edges. I never really used it to construct garments until I recieved this book. The patterns are well thought out and easy to use. The TShirt is so simple, especially when using an overlock machine. My kids love them, I now no longer waste money on clothes for my boys to destroy, I make them. I'm not fond of the color scheme of the book, it seems a little dark but the illustraions are easy to follow and understand. The cover of the book I love! Other sewing books are so boring! This is a little more edgy which caught my eye in the first place. The instructions are clear to follow. There are good tips in the book, such as, how to encase elastic for a waistband, working with leather and faux furs (which can be really messy) and serger / overlock machine info. I mainly use this book for the simple patterns that are includeed. I've been sewing for years, so I use this book more as a reference guide. It's great for beginner and moderate sewers. Not all the projects are supper easy, the box cushion is a little more difficult. 4 stars because it's a fabulous book and the patetrns are terrific!

Instructions are clear and easy to follow. By far the best book I have seen on the subject.

I just received this book today and read it cover to cover. It has everything. It's well organized, lists items you need to create a project, has step-by-step directions and tips. The pictures show you the process and gave me many ideas to copy. This is a beautifully presented book. You can't go wrong with Francoise Read's book.

The Basics Equipment: stamps and inkpads, plus combined results Tools: the essentials, plus punches, thermal embossing tools, glues, wire tools and more exciting possibilities.

Materials: the embossing powders- glues, colouring mediums etc that take stamping beyond the basics.

Papers: what's out there and how to use it.

Simple Stamping Workshop back-to-basics guide to perfecting the foundations - inking brush markers accurate positioning masking clear stamps simple embossing

Presentation Workshop Basic design: layouts composition presentation Colour schemes: including swatches and finished examples

Applying colour: applying inks, chalks, sponging and more Finishing touches: glitter, ribbon, charms, eyelets etc

Creative Workshop 19 step-by-step, technique-led illustrated projects (mostly cards), plus a gallery of samples each for further creativity Acetate Bleaching Brayering Chalks Collage Cut Away Decoupage and 3D Decoupage Direct to Paper Embellishing Masking Metal Foil Multi Embossing Pearl Effects Resist Embossing Shadow Stamping Shrink Plastic Style Stones Vellum Velvet Paper Suppliers

- Acknowledgments
- Index

One of the most wonderful books for Stampers.
Very clear and great to have.

The Rubber Stamper's Bible

Very good book. I wish I knew about it when I started stamping two years ago. If you are just starting to stamp, it explains the differnt inks, cardstocks, tools, techniques, etc. which would have been such an asset instead of my learning bits and pieces at a time. I would have at least knew what people were talking about.

In Points of View, Valerie outdoes her first book, Beyond the Horizon. She includes many more techniques and hints, along with gorgeous pictures of her work and that of others. It's a book to get lost in. Easy to translate the written word into real life works and be pleased with the results!

If you love making quilted landscapes or are interested in learning how to make them, this is a great book. You learn easy as well as a little more advanced ways to make them. You learn how to look at fabric and see possiblilites in it that you had never seen before. Follow the patterns and techniques to make your own piece of art and then check out the gallery in the back of the book. Amazing! I had made landscapes before getting this book, but I have learned so much more from it.
Kay S.

As a quilt teacher this is a must have tool. This book is one of the best landscape book out there, it so simple to use that a first timer can use it with their eyes closed. If you ever wanted to give it a try this is the way to go it has it all from the very simple to wow!!!!

This is an excellent book for a beginner to practice landscape quilting.
The simple techniques that you can try will encourage you to then design and make your own landscape quilt.

Points of View is a wonderful book, rich in detail and information, and gorgeous photos of Valerie Hearder's quilts. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to do landscape quilting. Valerie's "viewfinder" idea for finding your correct section of fabric is great, the instructions are clear and easy to follow to make your version of each type of quilt.

Again, I purchased this from Amazon. I've done a couple of the cards. However if you don't have patience forget it. This book requires a steady hand and patience. Takes time to work through all the different types of pop-ups. Some I'm still trying to figure out. However her designs are beautiful and I would say go for it. It definitely makes cardmaking fun.

Interesting to look at, but not the least do able for moderately talented card makers. This is for the gifted pop up artist.

This 3-D Pop-Up book is very good with easy to use instructions and illustrations. Would recommend it to friends.

I have a decent- sized library of papercraft books, but this outshines then all. It has the required beautiful pictures, but the beautiful pictures are of beautiful items, and the instructions are easy to follow. I am racommending this book, at with the highest praise, for all my papercrafting friends!

I purchased this book for my sister. She loves to make her own cards and used one of the patterns to make some breath taking Christmas cards this year. We sent them to people we love that live a great distance from us and we do not regularly stay in touch with. The love that went into making the cards was evident and we received calls from all of the recipients. I have never made any cards and the ones my sister made were so beautiful I decided to try. I made the pop up bird, and it is exquisite. This book is a wonderful tool to make beautiful gifts that will last in the memories of loved ones forever.

If you are going to make your own wedding bouquets, corsages, etc,. this is a truly useful book. Most books hint at possible usefulness, but when you look at them, they really aren't. This has step by step instructions and they are clear. I think most other do it yourself wedding flower books are written by professional florists whose true purpose is to discourage people from making their own wedding flowers, not to help them. Another good book is: "Creating Beautiful Wedding Flowers: Gorgeous Ideas and 20 Step-by-step Projects for Your Big Day (Paperback) by Nancy Ursell and Antonia Swinson"

This is a very good book if you were shocked by the price estimates at the florist. The instructions in the book were very simple to follow. I would agree that the designs are very traditional but after you get the technique down you can change things up. With this book I was able to have over 400 roses at my wedding for under $400. There was no way I could afford even the corsages for each special person in my large family without this book, flowers from the grower, and doing the arrangements myself.

This book provides good basic information and instructions on the how-tos of wedding floral arranging. Offers info on fresh flower and silk flower arrangements. Generally the instructions are quite good- however the author did not provide enough information on attaching the boutineers and corsages.

I am VERY pleased with this book. Each arrangement shows a complete "recipe" for making it along with step by step instructions AND pictures. I will save hundreds of dollars on my wedding flowers thanks in part to this book.

I am a florist and I am always looking for new and exciting ideas. I was looking forward to some "Creative Wedding Florals" and I got a book that is a throwback to the 70's. The Material is very outdated and shows nothing new. I was very disappointed. If you are looking for "Creative
", this is not the book for you.