Crafts Hobbies Books

WHEN A MAN GETS TO A POINT WHERE THEY DON'T WANT TO LOOK TRENDY ANYMORE,AND START TO FOCUS ON QUALITY AND STYLE, THIS IS THE REFERENCE BOOK TO READ AND OWN,TEACHES YOU HOW TO TIE A BOWTIE AND SEVERAL TIE KNOTS,ALSO COVERS WHAT SHIRT COLLAR FITS YOUR FACE,THIS IS A UNIVERSAL REFERENCE BOOK FOR FINE DRESSING......

If you could buy only one book to have as a reference on men's clothes, this would be it!! If you are choosing between this book and A.F.'s "updated" later version, get this one. The updated one has less information and also a questionable section on modern casual wear. The book's illustrations are excellently clear, and it is a great learning and reference tool.

I have Dressing the man which is almost as good. Clothes and the man was the first book I bought on mens clothing just as I was starting out on my own 14 years ago and I am glad I did..
Flusser taught me everything I know about clothes and then some. This book is well wiritten with practical advice on how a man should dress.

I've now read several highly recommended books on men's style. This book is the best out of all of them. In my opinion 'Clothes and the Man' is a little better than Flusser's more well-known 'Dressing the Man' (seen stacked in Ralph Lauren stores). 'Clothes and the Man' delves deeper into the subject laying out specific guidelines to build season-specific wardrobes. Unfortunately the book is out of print now...fairly easy to find on the net though!

This is a quick, one-day read, but a lifetime keeper for reference.

Mr. Flusser covers all the essentials in detail: suit coats; suit trousers; sport coats; blazers; dress shirts; neckties; handkerchiefs; hose (socks); shoes; hats; and jewelery.

He covers sportswear such as cable-knit pullover sweaters and cardigans very briefly.

Mr. Flusser asserts the lines, look, and feel of all fine mens wear can be traced to the timespan of the 1930s - 1950s. This was the Golden Age of Hollywood when men dressed well (Cary Grant; Fred Astaire; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.; Adolph Menjou; and England's Edward, Prince of Wales). Mr. Flusser's point is that if you want a suit that will not be out of date in five or ten years, ensure it is grounded in 1930s - 1950s style, with emphasis on the 1930s.

The only thing I disagreed with in the entire book was his reverence for the four-in-hand necktie knot in all settings. This knot is asymmetrical and does not belong in the boardroom or office. It is a knot that is to be worn casually to a club or in some other social setting. The Windsor or Half Windsor should be worn to the office.

This is somewhat a digression, but there is more to fine dressing than just the fabric against your body, or the leather upon your feet. Care must be taken to groom the hair inside your nose, so that it does not protrude outward. The hair on and in the ear must be cut. Nothing looks worse than looking at a man in fine clothes and seeing he has a thick patch of hair growing out of each ear cavity. Andy Rooney eyebrows are also verboten. Hair, beards, moustaches, eyebrows, ears, nose, teeth...all of these must be groomed/maintained properly to accentuate the look of fine clothes. Without these grooming basics in place, no suit is going to make you look good. Mr. Flusser elected not to cover grooming as essential to the "total package," yet he devoted many areas of the book to items that were not strictly related to clothing. I feel it was a mistake to neglect grooming.

Clothes and the Man is now 21 years old. It is as relevant now as when it was written. This book is a timeless masterpiece, fully deserving five stars.

This book is an excellent source of easy to understand information. The information is easy to follow but is also very specific and well written. I recommend this book to anyone buying colored stones even if it is already in jewelry.

This is an excellent book for a beginner such as I. It goes into detail on all aspects of gems, but not to such an extent that it would get boring. The color photographs are beautiful, and whet the appetite for more knowledge on the subject of gems. Highly recommended.

I have worn this one out. I need to pick up another copy. This is a MUST BUY!!!

This book is a must have for the beginner collector of gemstones. I refer to it practically everyday.

This book is a GREAT resource for gem buying. I'm hooked on the jewelry shows on TV and I think this book has given me the "edge" I need when purchasing gems.

For a small, pamphlet like publication this handbook packs a surprising amount of information about bats and bat houses. It has several very detailed plans for bat houses and accompanying materials list that simplify the purchasing process. Very happy with this purchase.

My grand daughter's are anxious to get started building! I bought this and the Stokes Guide to Bats. They love the books. Easy to use and with a little help 8 & 10 years-old understand the blueprints.

Maybe I'm too sold on what's marketed as variety.

I agree with what other reviewers have said, that these are good bathouses and the instructions are easy to follow. I just wish there were a little more variety in terms of design.

The book, by the way, over and above the houses does have some reference information on bats including where to put the houses. That was helpful.

If you're into bats, and would like to make your own houses, this is the book I would recommend.

Lots of good information in here. This book went into detail that I'd never even thought about. Definitely worth a buy if you want a good house that will attract bats.

I was a bit annoyed to open the package from Amazon and see this glorified pamphlet inside. "There goes ten bucks!" I thought. Don't let the size fool you, though. When I opened the booklet and started flipping through, I saw that it really is an excellent guide. It is far superior to anything else I have seen on the subject. I have seen bat houses for sale in my area that do not come close to meeting the well researched guidelines described in this book. Worth buying, definitely. I just wanted to combat the mosquitos in my neighborhood -- now I will likely join the Bat Conservancy and build houses for any friends who ask.

My sister-in-law doesn't knit. She does do much craft but knitting and crochet are not things she has mastered. I bought this book for her thinking that even if it was just knitting the background stories and nonsense would make up for it and maybe inspire her to learn. I am so glad I did. This book would probably be Emo-lite - the crafts are not confronting and place a humourous twist on standard images. And it is not just for knitters.
- 8 knitting projects (including long socks, cushions, hats)
- 7 crochet projects (including scarves, gloves, bags)
- 3 sewing projects (Halloween-style Easter eggs, palm-sized owls, a skirt)
- 6 miscellaneous projects (including duct-tape bodice, beaded bag and cross-stitch graffiti)
Included is the standard "how-to knit" and "how-to make chain-mail" pages.
But you don't buy it for the projects. You get it for the humour, the anti-parenting, the lies and tales told to de-mystify.
What a hoot!

Truely for the slightly sinister, the book will make you chuckle. Gorgeous pictures of Gothic Waifs, plenty of web references to help you search for more like-content online but I leave a 5th star off because although it puts a twist on traditional crafting materials (knitting pirate hats and stuffed rats) other than the one corset duct-tape project which a lovely corset fanatic had already posted a to-do about online five years ago.

You're not going to find anything new as far as material is concerned (yarn, beads and cloth) or any new ways to manipulate them. It's still just macrame, crochet and sewing but presented in a way more appealing than the 1980's Vogue patterns or your grandma's Heart quick projects.

The title of the book caught my eye... I *LOVE*LOVE*LOVE* this book! I am frusterated that 95% of the knitting/crochet books are compiled of cutesy baby booties, doilies, afghans etc. It seems that in today's world, handcrafted items (other than beer) are not appreciated; unless one knows the time it takes to craft such items. This book does have 1 token baby sweater (skulls & crossbones), but I will be crafting the rest of the patterns. I have already finished the Chain Maille earrings and can't wait to make the 2 headded rat for my cat. This book is truly for the "closet Martha Stewarts" that like "dark & edgier" crafting patterns. I've brought the book to work, and 1 gal is excited to be making the duct tape corset and the wheel of the year skirt. Next year, everybody is getting a be-headded bunny egg for Easter!

I bought this book a few weeks ago. I really love knitting books that are different and edgy. I must say too I like trendier looking clothes. I got it mainly for the crochet and knitting patterns. There is some good info in the book and even a few recipes and random quips. I like the fact it gives you a bio on the designers. I haven't made anything yet but I am fairly new to knitting, although, I would feel pretty comfy with most of the projects. I also think that even though I wouldn't wear the most of the things in the book (real short skirts or low cut tanks), I feel like they provide good guidelines to tinker with your own projects and just get the feel of doing things differently. My favorite being the mohair sweater which I will make for sure. There are many numerous good reasons to buy this book and the creators seem really informed on their craft and witty to boot.
On a more personal level I was a bit uncomfy with the fact it has a small pagan event calendar in it. But, that was my only reasoning for not giving it 4 stars, and that may not be an issue for most folks interested in these types of patterns.
That being said, I feel it was a worthwhile purchase.

I have tons of craft books and this one probably has the wittiest style of any. In fact, I think the sidebar commentary is the book's greatest feature for me.

The authors also did a good job of introducing the reader to a variety of crafts; I think it would be a good resource for beginning crafters (of a certain sensibility) who are looking to try out some new skills.

I'm not sure if I want to make a crocheted bull whip or two-headed fetal rat thing, but I'm sure somebody out there does.

I USED THIS BOOK FOR YEARS, MAKING ALMOST EVERY PATTERN IN THE BOOK AND LOANED IT TO "SOMEONE". I FELT I WAS IN WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT IT SO I PURCHASED ANOTHER. THE PATTERNS ARE SO VERSATILE AND THE TECHNIQUE CONTINUES TO BE MY FAVORITE TO TEACH AT THE LOCAL QUILT SHOP. EVERY STACK-N-WHACK I ENTERED IN A COMPETITION HAS BEEN AN AWARD WINNER. BETHANY IS A GENIUS TO HAVE CREATED THIS DRAMATIC TECHNIQUE AND TO ALLOW US TO REALLY APPRECIATE OUR LOVELY FABRICS.

I purchased this book to go with the companion book. I received it the day before I got the companion book from a friend who went to town and purchased it and brought it back.!! Speedy delivery.
Thanks

I decided to tackle a stack-n-whack for my second quilt and loved this book! The beginning couple of pages did a great job of explaining the basic process. I found that cutting out the pieces was the hardest part and once that was done, the blocks went together so quickly. I can't wait to make the same quilt again in different fabrics and compare the two results! The illusions in this book are also so amazing that it makes my quilts seem so much more professional because the design appears so complicated to a novice quilter!

I decided to tackle a stack-n-whack for my second quilt and loved this book! The beginning couple of pages did a great job of explaining the basic process. I found that cutting out the pieces was the hardest part and once that was done, the blocks went together so quickly. I can't wait to make the same quilt again in different fabrics and compare the two results! The illusions in this book are also so amazing that it makes my quilts seem so much more professional because the design appears so complicated to a novice quilter!

If you are just getting into Stack and Whack, get Karen's first book. If you really love it and want more ideas, this book will inspire you. It's such fun to see what Karen makes using today's large scale prints - she deserves a quilter's hall of fame award for inspiring many to play with prints! The mirror-image variations in this book are interesting, but I've had a hard time finding fabrics that are appropriate for them (the color saturation on the back needs to be almost as rich as the front for these to be effective since you are using both sides).

Great ideas, says it all. Some very imaginative and easy to follow ideas for the beginner free motion quilter.

This book is far more inspiring and interesting than Fritz's other book "Mindful Meandering", which retails for a few dollars less. But for the extra money, Creative Classics will give you a far better quality publication and a lot more patterns (250 vs 132).

Creative Classics also provides more explanations for keeping your continuous-line quilting disciplined but still fun and spontaneous. I am the type of quilter who looks at patterns for inspiration but I also need a few good verbal descriptions to make it all work for my hands AND my brain. I just wish more verbal effort had been put into this assemblage, even if it were simply her own commentary on how her techniques evolve and expand. This would have been more entertaining, and also might have given the new machine quilter more ideas and confidence.

This is a black and white publication, but the cover is in color, and shows how variegated thread can make a simple design more extraordinary. More color examples should have been used throughout the book to make this a better resource.

There are five sections to this book, each utilizing a different fundamental structure: clam shells, waves, serpentine (great for borders or long runs), fans (used for filling spaces), and feathers. This organization gives Creative Classics the meat and substance that I found to be missing from Fritz's other similar publication (Mindful Meandering, reviewed separately), and for this reason I would recommend buying this book over the other if you had to choose.

I'd give her designs 5 stars.

But a quick reading of the copyright statement (on, IIRC, most of her books) leads one to wonder if they can be used at all.

Personal use. Donation to a nonprofit for a sale. Oh, yes, and if you are quilting it for someone else, they need to buy a copy of the book--or you can't use more than 10 designs. Presumably you already have one.

And it must have a "conspicuous label" saying:

Designs copyright 2007 by Laura Lee Fritz from the book
Creative Classics C & T Publishing Inc.

Now, I was offended the time I went to Paducah and saw a handful of Margaret Rolfe's animals on a quilt with no apparent attribution. People who write books deserve to be thanked. I sent photos of something I made to one author, got back a nice letter saying that they hoped people would play with their designs the way I had.

But Fritz's designs are so free-form I'd be nervous about using them for anything, I would kind of automatically draw them out free-hand for myself, but it kind of sounds like anything that even suggests her stuff is covered. I may do a couple of her elephants from another book on a small wall-hanging for the Elephant Sanctuary, but since "conspicuous" isn't defined, (Giant letters taking up all of the back of a 18 inch piece? leaving no room for thanking Margaret Rolfe for her elephant??) or does it have to be on the front?

And does 10 designs mean ten facing right elephants on one quilt, or ten lines of fans with a sun inside, or what. I've always figured it was ten different designs, but....

I feel about this like I'm that poor farmer in Canada who "grew" Monsanto's Round-up ready corn because the pollen had been blown across to his property. I think he's eventually won, but it took years and years.

Are the intellectual property people really likely to "get" one if something you did a few years back ends up in your garage sale? Probably not. But still. It is inhibiting. Especially the idea that if you do any quilted embellishment on a fan designs you could spend years and dollars fighting it.

This is an excellent guide to making japanese screens.if you are a beginer or a pro i think youll find this the ideal choice to start off with.

The book arrived speedily and in great condition. What more can I ask?

the book was easy to understand. easy to read. a great book , if you want to build a shoji screen this is the book for you. tells you about other uses and other stronger materials to use

Shoji are really beautiful. There is something wonderful about the light passing through the semi-translucent rice paper, creating an atmosphere that is romantic and relaxing. Having lived in Japanese houses for several years, it was something that I wanted to recreate when I returned to the US.

"Shoji: How to design, build, and install Japanese Screens" was exactly the book I was looking for. Jay van Arsdale has written a simply, comprehensive guide on how to add shoji to an existing house, from very simple screens to much more complicated structures. Its a modern approach to making shoji, rather than bothering with traditional Japanese methods, and is very practical and doable.

The book assumes that you have woodworking skills and tools, and isn't so much a "Beginner's Guide." He gives a list of tools that you will need, mainly a set of chisels, hammers, saws, polishing stones and planes. He does recommend that you invest in Japanese tools, as they are made differently from Western tools and will create a different look in the wood that will be more authentic and aesthetically pleasing. There are a few specialty chisels, specifically the yarinomi and the sokosarae, that will make your shoji-making much more efficient.

The different styles of shoji in the book range from simple shoji, to glass-panel shoji, closet and cabinet screens and lanterns. For the truly ambitious there are instructions for ceiling fixtures and skylights as well as valances and hanging screens. Most of those projects are far removed from my abilities, but a more advanced woodworker will find some inspiring projects.

The photos are all in black-and-white, but there are some beautiful homes on display showing you what you can do with shoji screens. Certainly not everyone has the time and money for that kind of home transfiguration, but it is nice to dream.

Can not say enough about this book, it gives you a good start if you know a little about wood, but does not stop there.

If you get this book you'll enjoy that it does not insult your interest by just showing pictures of work only a master could do. It gives the information needed to do your first design plus what you'll need once you understand the methods.

Thanks Jay, you have given me a great new experience.

all the projects are quite easy to make exept maybe one
grate book to buy.worths the money

If you have a bit of sewing under your belt and are familiar with basic sewing vocabulary, this book is easy to follow. The photos are excellent and make helpful guides.

Instructions are provided for making:
Reversible Seat Covers
Kitchen and Dining Chairs
Parsons Chairs
Ottomans
Fitted Slipcovers for Upholstered Furniture
Cushions and Pillows
Wing Chairs
Futon and Daybed Covers
Director's Chairs
Garden Chair
Outdoor Chaise

Each chapter has a section on what you'll need (supplies), what you'll need to know, fitting the pattern, cutting directions, and sewing instructions.

If you're at all comfortable with a sewing machine, you'll have your tired furniture covered and looking like new in no time.

This book is filled with explicit instructions on many facinating projects. It is clear, concise and easy to understand. Excellent resource for children and teachers.

I have just entered the field of preschool and was disappointed in the books for activities until I found Carlson. Her book isn't full of kiddie graphics as if the kids were reading, her instructions are clear and careful. This book is fun because it gives so many ideas of using things around the house. I liked this book so much that I bought 50 to give to preschool teachers coming to a workshop. If you like to do things with your young children and someone doesn't give you Carlson's books, buy them.

Laurie, I just finished this book and I really appreciated it. My daughter is soon to be three and I have been wanting to learn more about environmentally friendly ways to teach her about life and our world. This is a super resource for me. Thank you so much!!