Product Description
Contents:

PRIMITIVE METHODS 3
WEAVING 14
FIBERS 29
COTTON 29
WOOL 37
FLAX 43
SILK 53
MODERN METHODS 59
WEAVING 69
WEAVES 72
BLEACHING AND DYEING 78
PRINTING 81
FINISHING 83
COTTON GOODS 85
LINENS 86
WOOLENS AND WORSTEDS 88
SILKS 90
NAMES OF FABRICS 94
BIBLIOGRAPHY ON TEXTILES 103
HAND SEWING 107
ORNAMENTAL STITCHES 114
HEMS 123
TUCKS AND SEAMS 128
PLACKETS 135
SEWING ON BANDS 138
FASTENINGS 141
PATCHING 149
DARNING 155
MITERING EMBROIDERY, JOINING LACE 158
MACHINE SEWING 162
DRESSMAKING 167
PATTERNS 171
MAKING SEVEN-GORED SKIRT 172
MAKING SHIRT WAISTS 182
LINED WAIST 186
SLEEVES 194
COLLARS 198
SEAMLESS YOKES 200
PRESSING 201
CONSTRUCTION AND ORNAMENT IN DRESS 203
ORNAMENT OF TEXTILES 212
COLOR 214
CHILDREN'S CLOTHES 216
CARE OF CLOTHING 219
CLEANING 221
REPAIRING 225
BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SEWING AND DRESSMAKING 229
REFERENCES: HISTORY OF COSTUME; ORNAMENT AND DESIGN 234
PROGRAM FOR SUPPLEMENTAL STUDY 236
INDEX 241
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Very useful with great ideas
I have just started felting some wool pieces and making them into things. This book took me from the beginning and offered easy to understand instructions, plenty of room for experimentation, and interesting ideas for using felted wool. I like it very much and unless I pursue this a whole lot further will probably not ever need another book on the subject.

70s and 80s fashions
I got this book from the library, thank goodness. It is a good book for technigues, but most of the items are very old fashioned - not old enough for being vintage though. I actually looked at the publishing date and coudn't believe it was 2008! I am looking for the other book.But take a look at it first in the library or book store and decide for yourself. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (13)

Great book for crafts for apparel and home furnishings.
The book gives you step by step instructions on some useful embellishment ideas with beautiful and fun examples. It also includes patterns in the back, so that you dont have to create the shapes or designs yourself!

Far From Complete and Not That Helpful
I anxiously awaited this book, having ordered it sight unseen based on the rave reviews (friends perhaps?), but I keep glancing through it and finding little I like about it- except the terrific binding and layout from the publisher. The pictures are good, but they are repeated several times. I was expecting a book about every embellishment I could think of- and then some- for art quilting. However, the bulk of the book is made up of 'how to's' for such basics as sewing, embroidry stitches, crochet stitches, patchwork, and (what I really DID need to know)...Painting and Etching- but GLASS not fabric! Glass?? All the rest of the book concernes sewing...if one is going to toss in glass why not wood, paintings on canvas, metal, etc? I really could have used some techniques on painting on fabric (like with shiva art sticks or fabric paints), but they are not even mentioned. The book does mention however printing on fabric with potatos.

To be more specific about the how-to section, as an example, in the crochet section, instead of having patterns for tiny roses and leaves and stems, they had page after page of nothing but basic crochet stitches. So it is not 'how to use crochet for embellishing', it is 'how to crochet'. In the one crochet related project, a couple of small flowers were added to a headband, but so much more could have been done, if the reader is shown what they can do with it.

Also not mentioned, are using items like glitter, feathers, shells, and tiny ornaments. Very little is said about using buttons or the huge number of decorative buttons that are out there. So much more could be done with beading. Or simply using yarn, etc. I would have loved lots of pictures of examples of things, but very little in the way of examples were shown except for specific projects. Which brings me to the projects. I love artistic and creative art- especially folk art, but almost all of the projects made me wonder who on earth would want to try to reproduce that exact project or even anything similar.

I buy a huge number of books, and never ever return them- I can find something good in all of them. But this one is NOT a keeper, despite the low cost and the fact that I will have to pay for a box and shipping to return it. I think young teens who love to be artistic and have very little background in the basics could get a lot out of the book, but it does not seem geared toward the older adult.

Something for everyone, I guess!
I loved MOST of this book. Some of the embellishing ideas in the book are a little outdated or juvenile, but for the most part, it had some good ideas. The tutorials in the beginning of the book were very helpful. I hope there is a follow up book in the future!

Love the Anthropologie look but not the price?
Tight budget? Bored with your current wardrobe and home accessories? Just want to stand out from the mall crowd? Creative Embellishing by Kayte Terry was written just for you. It contains "easy techniques and over 25 great projects." The adorable headband on the cover is what really caught my eye what with headbands being all the rage now. It has a very Anthropologie feel to me.

The book starts with tools and techniques and a comprehensive section on sewing basics. This includes a variety of things such as hand-sewing, machine sewing, making pockets, patchwork, embroidery, crochet, felting, fabric printing, and basic appliqué. There are also simple directions for using beads, buttons, and sequins.

The rest of the book is divided into Garments, Accessories, and Home Furnishings. Each project is rated by its difficulty - Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. There is a complete material list for each one that includes metric as well as standard measurements. The instructions are detailed enough that even the advanced projects are easy to understand and follow.

This book really embraces the DIY culture that is so popular at the moment. Most of the garments and accessories have a romantic feel to them while the 5 or so home furnishings are more modern. There's a youthful vibe to the book as a whole. If you're looking for that little bit extra that makes you unique, look no further. Creative Embellishing can help.

Great Ideas, Clear Instructions
I am very pleased with this book! The projects are unusual and the instructions are simple to follow. It includes a reference section of stitches and skills at the beginning that is helpful as you proceed to the projects.
I haven't actually followed an exact project, which may be what I like most of all! I found a few different ideas that I liked, but wanted something a little different. I combined/tweaked and have been able to remake two old cardigans and a skirt. These instructions give a great outline and inspiration, but you aren't bound to follow them only. I've been inspired by it many different ways, and everyone I've shared it with loves it too! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Make Your Quilted Pieces Shine!
I found myself drawn to jackets, wall-hangings and quilts at shows when they had some glitter to them.Now with this book, I can work with silk noil, tissue lame, and metallic thread adding glamour to my quilting.It opens your eyes to a whole new range of materials, many of which need special treatment.
Some of the techniques are easier than others (fused design with glitter paint edges), but all are explained in detail.You'll learn how to add sequins-by-the-yard, piping, piped-edge pearls and bead, sew-on jewels, shisha mirrors, and more.
They should have omitted the black-and-white crazy quilt border on each page which sometimes detracted from the photos showing techniques.
Mainly it explains the tricks of working with special fabrics and trim with only a small section at the end having actual projects.Useful for fabric artists, quilters and home sewers wanting to add something special to their projects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Easy to read, colourful and imaginative. A MUST buy!
This book is easy to read, fully explained throughout with colourful, intuitive diagrams and fully colour examples of beautiful items that you can create with ease.

My primary reason for recommending this book is the imaginative way the author has filled it with imaginative ideas and instructions on how to do everything yourself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Edutaining!
This book (series, really) is awesome! I am intermediate in my sewing abilities, and found it very easy to decipher and use. I am making a wedding dress from a mix of patterns found in these books. Very period-accurate, nice fashion plates, well written, clearly explained. You could not ask for more. I recommend that you make your first attempt or few from cheap/recycled material, until you are comfortable with how pieces of this time are made, as it is far more complicated than most of today's simplified and streamlined patterns. Be prepared to put in some hours on a good piece. If you are just want to educate yourself on fashion's of the Victorian era, this is a great series for you!

Yea! More pattern books!
Frances Grimble shares her meticulous vision with us once again.A great two book series full of facinating information and patterns galore.I cannot wait to clothe many a pretty lady using them.Not for the faint of heart.The patterns are period correct and I would advise an advanced skill level, or a great deal of patience.Always do a mock up.Remember these are patterns of the age.So start at the skin and work your way out to a glorious new costume.
Enjoy.

This is Volume 2
This is a great book, but you should know that it is not a second edition of Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1.It is the second volume of the anthology, and a different book with all different patterns.The title is actually Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 2: Evening, Bridal, Sports, Outerwear, Accessories, and Dressmaking 1877-1882.It's just as good as Volume 1, none of the information is the same except the intro on how to use the patterns, and the dressmaking manual is really unique.

I heard both volumes were published but it took me awhile to find the second one on Amazon because it was mislisted. So I thought I'd warn other people.

Wow! Continued
I just reviewed Volume 1, where I said the book contains a huge selection of patterns.Volume 2 focuses on patterns for evening dresses, bridal wear, sports wear, and outer wear.The chapters on accessories and trimmings contain some needlework patterns, embroidery and so on.I figure if I don't do the handwork I'll still have learned a lot about buying appropriate materials.

I bought both volumes, but they are organized so you can use them separately.Both contain the instructions for using the book and the special rulers that allow you to draft patterns to fit you. They also both have a big glossary, a bibliography, and two indexes.

Volume 2 has something really special though--a dressmaking manual. The book says it was rewritten from numerous rare original sources that are listed in the bibliography. But it's been rewritten so it doesn't read that way; you can't tell where any source begins or ends.That makes the manual a lot easier to use.And it's so long it could have been published as a book by itself.I'm glad to have it, because I've never been able to find a comprehensive sewing manual for this period.It even has corset-making instructions (the corset patterns are in Volume 1).

Both volumes are very well edited and produced. This is not a cheap printing job.

Anyone who does Old West reenactment or Victorian teas would love these books! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (17)

Shop's go to book
I have always loved historical fashion and after the first time using this and Janet Arnold's other books while working in a costume shop I had to get my own copies of them. The patterns are wonderfully drafted and scaling them up is a breeze. Yes, there are alterations that had to be made to some of them size-wise, but nothing worth sweating about. My books have seen lots of use though I still haven't managed to make anything for myself. The details that are provided with sketches and the patterns are wonderful for anyone looking to reproduce any of the garments. That being said, they aren't the best representation of the time period nor of the different classes, but it is still an amazing series of books.

Historical clothes patterns
Great item. Good research went into it. It came very quickly. Look forward to using it.

Arnold does it again
This book is amazing - so detailed and interesting!It is truely wonderful and an inspiration to those who sew, pattern, and create or research garments! Janet Arnold is unique!

Every costumer must have one
This and all the Arnold books are the go-to books for the costumer. The detailed examination and pattern drafting really tell you what you need to know about period construction and design. Check The Great Pattern Review at www.GBACG.org and you'll see other reviews of Janet Arnold books as well as pictures of garments that have been made from the patterns. I have made several myself and plan to make more. The directions are clear and concise and the drafting is superb. She has passed on now, but her legacy will remain in these wonderfully helpful books. See also Lucy Barton. She was a professor at U Tx long ago, but there is a small pattern book that goes with her text book, if you can find either!

My wife loves it
My wife produces numerous victorian era dresses, as part of her participation in American Civil War reenacting. She has found this book indispensible in helping her make dresses of the time. It is a great source of knowledge for how these outfits were constructed. ... Read more

Product Description
Recycle, Re-create, Re-enjoy

You don't even need a sewing machine to upcycle old sweaters into new wearables, blankets, pillows, and dolls that are fresh, playful, and utterly captivating.

It's easy as felting the wool, cutting the pieces for your new project, and stitching everything together using simple hand-sewing skills.

Noted designer Crispina ffrench shares her techniques and passion as she introduces you to the beautiful possiblities in old sweaters.

"Crispina's blankets and throws and rugs are piled on and over each other on my beds, chairs, couches, and floors. She's a great artist who understands texture and how it adds individuality and comfort to a home, not to mention a car, or an old refurbished orange trunk seat!!" - Carly Simon

"Crispina makes the most beautiful soulful blankets, pillows, and sweaters, out of people's old sweaters. In this amazing and magical book she shares her secrets so that you can do it too." - Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerry's
... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Not very nice projects for my taste
There is a lot of information about how to choose and prepare sweaters for the projects. I like that part. The projects themselves are not very artistic. I think, the best project is the pillow on the cover, because you can't see the hand stitches. Now I love whimsical or stylish handwork, but this is not it.

love this book!
I purchased this book to try to gain a little inspiration, and I found it tenfold!The illustrations are very clear and lovingly drawn, her instructions are very easy to follow, even for a newbie to sewing.I take this book to craft shows with me, and it always illicits a great response from folks.Everyone wants to pick it up and read it!
The projects range from simple to more complex, and Crispina gives great directions on how to make each item personal and original.If you love to sew and recycle,or even just like to think about it, this book is definitely for you!

Good but not great
A friend had this book and I thought: " Neat concept- get it..."I ordered it and found it a neat read, fun concepts... independent and quirky. As I read through it from the beginning, though, I had the feeling that it was not very complete in its instructions, or that they were not clear. That is generally ok if there are clear illustrations, but , again, I hadcome to the conclusion that the drawings were more artistic than instructive.... long yarns that "decorate the stitching images and are often repeated to fill space and don't further illustrate. I would have preferred photographs carefully made using plain fabrics and contrasting yarns , or better thought out diagrams.

All that being said, It is a neat concept and the critters and projects will be fun to make.Impending grandchild makes all things workable, and in the case of a craft, too much instruction can remove some of the challenge and fun!

An inspiration for secycycling
this book gives great ideas for recycling those sweaters into usful items, saving money and saving space in our landfills by omission. tryit and discover your own creativity.

An outstanding survey recommended for any needlework library
THE SWEATER SHOP SHOP: ONE-OF-A-KIND CREATIONS FROM RECYCLED SWEATERS offers home crafters a fine set of sweaters, pillows, holiday gifts and home accessories using recycled wool knitwear. Gleanings from thrift stores, yard sales, and accidentally shrunken sweaters make for a collection of new ideas and retrofits using Crispina's techniques in this outstanding survey recommended for any needlework library.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A place to start
It's tiny, and it's printed on one side of the page only, and it doesn't cost ANYTHING, so if you want a large-brimmed Victorian style hat, or perhaps a crownless sweetheart hat, or you think you might like to make a hat any hat and have no clue where to start, this is a good place to jump in.

Given my propensity to spend $$$$ on the how-to and then not follow through, I went for this book, and it meets my needs exactly. I have the fashion fabric I want to use; BHA tells me what else I need to put it together and make a hat that looks respectable. Wouldn't have thought to put darts in the brim on my own.

If and when I do make this hat, and if I decide the effort was worth it and I want more, I may well step up to the complete millenary book noted above in a different review. Until then, I'm not out much $ at all and I have massively adjusted my own "figure it out somehow" ideas about what goes into a big pretty hat.

The Little Hatmaking Book
It's definitely a "little" book but it has some interesting information. I will get my money's worth.

very basic hatmaking only for turn of century
Less information than the bodice and corset workbooks, for those who are familiar with the author. This book focuses on turn-of-the-century women's hat shapes: wide brim and shaped sweetheart brim. Author listsfabric/notion requirements and provides numerous b/w illustrations to walkyou through basic hat-building technique. Geared to very basic hats, whichyou can put together with a home sewing machine and glue. Maybe even toobasic - info hardly fills one side of each page. Trim instructions covergathered tulle ruffles and bows, fabric roses, big bows, and ostrichplumes. I would like to see expanded trim info, principally more complexribbon decorations, other feather types, maybe even stuffed birds andveiling. Since hats of this time period were such a huge fashion statement,I don't feel the book adequately covers the construction possibilities. Butif you need to build a basic hat and don't want to take a class or buy awood block, this is your best option. Would be perfect for the school dramadepartment that needs to produce dozens of hats for a period production. Ifyou're entering a costume masquerade or have ambitions toward seriousmillinery, you really should look for Albrizio's Classic MillineryTechniques instead.

Great "Little" Book
There's lots of info in this little book! From patterns and how-to-dos to designing ideas. A must for costume and doll clothing designers! ... Read more

Product Description
An interactive coloring book for fashionistas of all ages, My Wonderful World of Fashion is packed with beautiful and sophisticated illustrations specially created by the leading fashion-illustrator Nina Chakrabarti.

The book encourages creativity, with illustrations to color in and designs to finish off, as well as simple ideas for making and doing (how to make a sari, turn a napkin into a headscarf, dye a T-shirt, and so on). Covering clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, and other accessories, the illustrations span both vintage fashions drawing on beautiful and interesting objects from past ages and contemporary designs from the illustrator's own imagination.

'Did you know...?' features that give brief historical notes encourage children to be inspired by history and by other cultures. A wonderful celebration of fashion, the book will appeal to fashion addicts from 8 years plus. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (52)

Wonderful Fun
I purchased this for my 25 year old daughter who is starting a Clothing line. It is a great book!!!!

Best for Teenagers
I took one look and realized this is best for group other than me - teenagers.I love books on fashion, but I prefer pictures of outfits from which I can draw inspiration to style my clothes.This is something different, but a great idea. Like another reviewer said it is part coloring book, part book of suggestions.It can really inspire a new generation of designers or just be a book for fun. I think any child interested in fashion will really appreciate it.

WONDERFULLY CREATIVE
I love this book as much as I initially thought I would. It leaves so much room for your own personalization and creativity. It's perfect for that bubbling fashionista, or a totally experienced glamour girl.

Buy it, everyone!
This book is amazing, I really love it and I can spend hours on it. I'm very happy that I bought this one!

Fun, creativity, and color!
Okay, so this isn't exactly my area, but here's what my wife had to say:

"Awesome book--so much fun! It's a world of buttons, shoes, stockings, nails, necklaces, masks, gloves, and more, and it's all waiting for your artistic touch. Color, doodle, and design for hours of fun. I like to color the most, and there are lots of opportunities to color in Nina Chakrabarti's cool designs, but you can design your own stuff, too, perhaps using Chakrabarti's for inspiration (if, like me, you don't exactly feel like you're the most creative fashionista on the planet)."
... Read more

Product Description
ARTICLES BY AND ON: A Way of Life, Recycling Antiquities and Artifacts; Uncommon Threads Wabanaki Textiles, Clothing and Costume; Penland School of Crafts An Appalachian Crown Jewel; Lisa Gralnick - The Gold Standard; Koos Van Den Akker -Sewing Up a Storm; Ascher Scarves - Fine Art Meets Fashion; International Folk Art Market Santa Fe 2010; Jewelry Arts - Candice Wakumoto; Ethnographic Arts - The Bishop Museum's Hawai'ian Hall; Marketplace Rings & Things; Design Study Glass Bead Pendant Hangers. ... Read more

Product Description
Needles.
Thread.
Drama!

Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica, is not a seamstress. She is a thread artist. And in Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing, she'll show how to harness the power of her fearless kamikaze sewing style–just dive in and give it 100 percent. Here you'll not only find out the nuts and bolts of sewing, but learn to have confidence to blaze your own sewing trail with confidence and flair. (And sprinkle of glitter!) The Crafty Chica is here to bring out the thread artist in you.

Whether you can hardly sew on a button or are already threading bobbins like a champ, Kathy's got a project just for you. From place mat totes to embellished skirts, Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing proves that you're in charge of your sewing machine, not the other way around. With these 30 fun fabu-low-sew projects to carry, wear, and use around the home, you can leave the ordinary behind and channel your own Crafty Chica within. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Reluctant to say it, but... not impressed.
I love Crafty Chica.I love her style, her blog, etc etc.So, it pangs me to write a less than stellar review of her book. But, I'm going to be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this book.

The first 41 pages of the book is giving you the basics on your sewing machine, why to sew, how to thread a bobbin, how to use a seam ripper.I found this section lacking if you are a beginner, but too much wasted space if you have experience in sewing.I wonder who this section was written for since it doesn't seem like it would benefit the beginner nor the advanced sewer.

So, then we are left with the whole point of the book: the projects.I love Crafty Chica's style.These projects don't disappoint when it comes to combining flashy color and patterns.The part that disappointed me, however, were the instructions.

Only a couple of the projects have diagrams of how they were constructed.The majority of projects are explained, in decent details.But, most people find it easier to understand something when it's shown to you and not told to you.I was disappointed with the instructions.I am an experience sewer, but I had to puzzle over what was meant with instructions such as, "cut up 12 inches".Um, from where??Just a small black and white diagram for each project would have helped tremendously.

If you have difficulty figuring out how to do something by someone telling you how and you prefer to be shown how, this book might frustrate you.If you can figure out how to make something just by looking at the finished product, then you'll probably be fine with this book.

If you want to have a book of inspiration from a gifted artist, then this book is for you as well.

Not as amazing as everyone is saying...
I was really excited to get this book but was very disappointed in the lack of good creative projects. Yes the projects in the book that she is giving you are creative, but is showing you how to recreate what tacky crafts she came up with. I was hoping for base project ideas that I could add my own flair too. This book kind of seemed to take out your end of the creativity. I didn't want a tutorial on how to sew and definitions of each piece of a sewing machine. I've been sewing since I was a young girl, I figured she would give a few basic steps for those beginners but not about 1/2 of the book.

If you are a beginner and never touched a sewing machine and have no creativity of your own, this is the book for you.

This just was not at all what I had high hopes for.

*Fabuloso*, but left me wanting more
While I await my book to arrive, I checked out a copy from the library.I've not made anything yet, but plan to dive in soon.I absolutely LOVE the author's attitude, joie de vive, and approach towards sewing and style.She freely admits to not being a seamstress, which is cool by me.As long as someone has something valuable to offer the world, great ideas, and they know what they're doing and are good at it, I don't care if they have a "pedigree".The only thing that I see as a drawback, and why I gave it only 4 stars, is that I was hoping to see more projects.The rest of the book is super in its information, tips, and instructions.It was quite colorful, and like at least one other reviewer mentioned, heavy on the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos.No problem, in my humble opinion, as the reader isn't bound nor limited by the author's examples -- just simply motivated to go out and create masterpieces of their own.Overall, this has got to be the most inspirational and fun craft book I've ever seen.Muchisimas gracias, Senora Cano-Murillo! :-)

Any crafts or needlework library will find it a user-friendly, artful guide
Kathy Cano-Murillo's CRAFTY CHICA'S GUIDE TO ARTFUL SEWING: FABU-LOW-SEW PROJECTS FOR THE EVERYDAY CRAFTER covers crafts for both sewers and those new to sewing. From purses made of T-shirts and place mats to original clothing styles and designs for photo albums, pillows and more, CRAFTY CHICA'S GUIDE TO ARTFUL SEWING is a winning collection of projects that require no prior knowledge to prove successful. Any crafts or needlework library will find it a user-friendly, artful guide.

Great book!
The latest Crafty Chica book was a pleasure to read. She is full of colorful and inspiring ideas. Her words are thoughtful and the images gorgeous. Highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Kanzashi tsumami is the Japanese art of folding delicate squares of silk into three-dimensional flower petals. In the United States, the online craft culture has sprouted a renewed interest in making Kanzashi with American crafters devising simplified ways to create these gorgeous fabric flowers and incorporating more user-friendly materials like cotton and synthetic fabrics along with the traditional silks.

Kanzashi in Bloom takes the American interpretation of Kanzashi a step further, presenting modern, more easily executed flower designs as elements in a variety of fun, fashionable, hip craft projects. Kanzashi in Bloom offers advice on materials, three petal-folding styles, and techniques for assembling a Kanzashi flower. You’ll also find instructions for 20 projects to wear and give as gifts, including:

• Tiny blossom earrings
• Flowers-in-your-hair clips
• The happiest belt buckle ever
• Elegant floral gift topper ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Better than I anticipated!!
I happened on this art by accident and searched out a book to learn it.The instructions are crystal clear, I would venture to say a child over 12 could make these lovely creations.It also gives ideas for different uses for the flowers, many different types, 20 I believe, flowers as well as ideas of mixing the styles and fabric color for different looks. MANY, MANY different looks. Decorate purses, hair clips, pins, just fire up your imagination and with a minimum of items to purchase, you're good to go. These work for everyday wear or something as elaborate as a wedding depending on what you choose or your soon to be married girlfriend talks you into.I cannot imagine a better book for learning and getting off to a running start on some stunning creations. They are absolutely beautiful and instructs you in the three basic types of petals.There may be more but I'm happy with these *so far*.I have only made one to try but having done that.I can understand how the others are done.I could not recommend this book any highly if you love fabric flowers. If you're not sure, take a look inside and see some of the gorgeous flowers.BRAVO, this is a fabulous book.Being able to see inside the book sold me.I wish more were available for a peek inside, you really know what you're getting. This could truly be addictive.

kanzashi
I was reallllly looking forward to this book, but was so disappointed by it. I was expecting it to show us how to make kanzashi flowers like the Japanese do. These have the basic folds I guess, but the outcome is more country style. Use of buttons in the center, looks to folksy and not elegant as the Japanese make them. Also, when making a stringer of flowers, she uses ribbon, not the thin string that the Japanese do. It looks so poorly done. I am definately not impressed at all with this book.

Fabric flowers
This is a great book.Easy to read directions along with clear self-explanatory step by step pictures.These flowers are so fun and easy to make that you will not believe you could create something like this when you have finished.I taught my 12 year old granddaughter in one sitting and she did a beautiful job.And the book has lots of ideas on how to use the flowers that you create so it encourages you to make more and more.It is addictive.But then if you know anything about Diane Gilleland, you know she does not do anything half way.She is always clear and concise and always gives lots of ideas on how to use whatever she is teaching you to do.Her podcasts are also first class.

Instructional and detailed instructions.
Quite simply - The instructions are detailed, great photographs with instructions, and innovative ideas on how and where to use the finished Kanzashi flowers.I was not disappointed at all.

Too Complicated and consuming to be SIMPLE
The book is beautifully photographed, designed and basically covers color variations of that shown on the cover. I think it is an excellent representation of a ancient pastime. (This deserves 5 stars for the presentation and quality) The directions were clear, and the process to make one of the blooms seemed to require a great deal of dexterity (small, nimble fingers) and time. The term Simple in the title is a misnomer, as in the craft world usually means quick and/or pleasant to do. I didn't even attempt to make one of these blooms because of the anxiety and headache I developed from all the steps prevented me from doing so. Crafts are supposed to be therapeutic and this book may be for someone who has nothing to do but make heirloom-type baubles for something. It was not for me. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

book back reads
Use Judy's exciting new techniques to create a linen and lace Victorian jacket, a Silk Tie Tabard, or one of the eight other show stopping wear-ables. Choose one project or try them all. More than 35 Patchwork and Embellishment Techniques. Experiment with manipulations such as Pleated Spaceships, Lucy Locket's Pockets, and Hawaiian Applique to achieve your own sensational effects. The possibilities are endless! Two full size Pullout Patterns. Use commercial patterns or favorite patterns from Judy's previous Jazz books. Pullout patterns for an adult's tabard and a child's jacket - both in multiple sizes - are included. You'll also get directions for making small hand-bags and child's overnight tote.

dissapointing
I was dissapointed in this book, because it was the first of Judy's Jazz books I purchased and there weren't patterns for all the jackets shown. You have to buy two of her other books, because the patterns for most of the models are in there.
Beware! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
The three books in Julie Parker's Fabric Reference Series explain the different fabrics made from silk, cotton and wool, using plain English instead of technical jargon. A detailed description of each fabric is illustrated with a real cloth example, right there on the same page, which clarifies in the simplest way what a silk shantung, cotton seersucker or boiled wool actually looks and feels like.

All About Silk is the first volume in the series. A brief introduction covers the history of silk, the main sources of silk and the silk textile industry, followed by descriptions and samples of 32 silk fabrics, in alphabetical order: batiste de soie, broadcloth, brocade, charmeuse, chiffon, China silk, cloque, crepe, crepe de Chine, douppioni, four-ply silk, gabardine, georgette, habutai, jacquard, knit, matelasse, matka, noil, organza, peau de soie, pongee, printed silk, sandwashed silk, shantung, suiting, surah, taffeta, Thai silk, tussah silk, tweed, velvet.

All About Silk is packed with information about the different weaves, yarns and finishes used to make silk fabrics. Terms such as cultivated silk, wild silk, raw silk and spun silk are clearly explained. The author uses simple drawings, an easy-to-read, consistent format and clear uncomplicated language.

Other books in the series include All About Cotton, with 40 cotton samples, and All About Wool, with 35 wool samples. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Very informative and entertaining!
I cannot say enough good things about this book (or for that matter the entire series!).
The author has an entertaining, easy to read writing style. She presents a great deal of information, and rather than feeling overwhelmed, the reader is able to learn a great deal.
The very best thing about this book is the fabric samples. If you have ever wondered about what a specific type of silk feels like, then you will have your answer. You just cannot get this information from a written description. This book is indespensible for fashionistas, designers, sewers and anyone else interested in clothing or fabric.

As good as the book on wool
When identifying fabric, texture is more important than appearance.Even though I don't sew, I do purchase vintage items for my prop company and I have to label the outfit in the description.If you want to learn about fabric, this is the way to go.

Indispensible resource for silk junkies!
This book was love-at-first-sight.It doesn't blab unnecessarily about the fabric, just lets you touch and see it for yourself.While being very visual and tactile, it also devotes a page with all the relevant information about each particular kind of silk (and who would have thought there would be so many?!): how to care for it, how difficult it is to sew, the ideal projects for each fabric, its characteristics, its approximate price per yard, hints/tips for working with the fabric, etc.I wish there was a reference book like this for everything!It has really inspired me and given me the confidence and knowledge that I need to both shop for silk and start some projects.

Yes, you need this book
This is the perfect book if your local fabric store doesn't carry any (or enough) silk to learn on your own.Words just can't replace running the fabric through your fingers to see if it will work for your project, and this book lets you do that and more.The information collected here is worth twice the asking price.Now you can order what you need off the internet sites and have a better idea what to expect.

Excellent book
I got this book through the Crafter's Choice bookclub, but I had to come here to recommend it.It is ideal literally for anyone.Someone who wants to know more about the fabrics they wear, or as a book for someone like myself who knows a good deal about fabrics to refer to, which I often do.I'm a student at Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, so I've taken textile classes before and know my fair share.I even have a swatchbook with many fabrics but this books is just exceptional.I will definitely buy the wool and cotton versions of this book eventually.Silk is my favorite fabric to sew in so it was a priority.The book has a really great layout also, making it not too much reading and easy to find the information you are looking for.You can find in the book what to expect from each fabric when you're sewing it, how to take care of it, all its variations, suggestions on fitting, really anything important that you'd need to know about a fabric.... and then more, making you knowledgable on the subject. ... Read more

Product Description
This unique book has become established as the standard work on the subject since it was first published in 1990.It contains a full range of blocks and patterns to cope with all aspects of lingerie, beachwear and leisurewear.Not only the methods of cutting are explained but also the reasoning behind them so that the information can be applied and adapted to other situations.

The new edition includes tips for achieving the best results when taking measurements, optimum fit patterns for close fitting garments, and outstanding patterns for larger cup sizes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Many typographical errors and the measurements are all in metrics!
I was very disappointed to receive this book and find out that all of the measurements are in centimeters.Of course I could translate them to inches, but who has time for that?The publishers should have considered that. Also I have never had a book with more typographical errors like "crutch" instead of "crotch" consistently throughout the book.I find it funny that the author thanks her associate for proofreading the book.I don't think she deserved the praise for a job well done!I returned it.It focussed more on robes, lingerie instead of swimwear / beachwear as I was expecting.

upgrading
perfect to complete you cutting skills. a specific book on a matter which is usually superficially examined in pattern making classes.
ok!

Inspired, but dissapointed
I'll give it 3 stars, because I got a lot of ideas in this book which actually inspired me.The fact that the patterns doesn't work for me hasn't stopped me from learning a lot from it.

I have followed two pattern design courses and am designing my own clothes which fit pretty well.I bought this book because I also wanted to be able to design a bra, which wasn't included in my courses.Unfortunately the bra block givin in this book doesn't consider the underbust measurement - only the bust measurement itself.The cupsize of a bra is determined by subtracting the underbust measurement from the bust measurement and the support of a bra comes from the snug underbust fit.For that reason I couldn't get the bra pattern to fit me (cup turned out too small, while band too big around body) and I am busy to figure it out myself by adjusting the lower dart to fit my underbust measurement while making a bigger curve towards the bustpoint.

Still the back cover of the book claims that all the patterns has been tested and therefore works.I suppose it could work for someone with a much smaller cupsize (the bust line not much bigger than the underbust).

Also, according to the author's instructions to the bodice block, all women's bust points are at the same height. (half of the nape of neck to waist measurement plus 4 cm's toward the waist).That simply isn't true, so I'm using my own bodice block where you have to measure your (individual) height of your bust point and mark it on the pattern accordingly.

I was very excited when the book arrived in the mail and started working immediately.Unfortunately I was quite dissapointed soon afterwards.

Very good!!! But for experienced sewer (approx. translation)
This is an approximate translation of the above review:

I would not recommend this book for a beginner. On the other hand, this book is perfect to clarify certain problems that one can face when cutting and fitting a pattern to measure. By the way, the other books of this series are exellent! I would say, this is a bible for the cut of patterns of lingerie and bathing suits.

Trrrrrès bien!!!!!!Mais pour créateurs expérimentés
Je ne recommanderais pas ce livre a un débutant.
Par contre,ce livre est parfait pour clarifier certain problèmes que l'on peut rencontrer lors de la coupe et du moulage d'un patron sur mesure.
Par ailleur,les autres livres de cette série sont exellents!
Je dirais,une bible pour la coupe de patrons de lingerie et maillots de bain. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Edutaining!
This book (series, really) is awesome! I am intermediate in my sewing abilities, and found it very easy to decipher and use. I am making a wedding dress from a mix of patterns found in these books. Very period-accurate, nice fashion plates, well written, clearly explained. You could not ask for more. I recommend that you make your first attempt or few from cheap/recycled material, until you are comfortable with how pieces of this time are made, as it is far more complicated than most of today's simplified and streamlined patterns. Be prepared to put in some hours on a good piece. If you are just want to educate yourself on fashion's of the Victorian era, this is a great series for you!

Great for inspiration and making accurate patterns
I am very pleased with this book and I think it gives a load of information for a very reasonable price.

The book (together with vol.2) is overfilled with all kinds of garments you can imagine and for each sort of garment there are always many styles.

It is not directly a drafting book, it does not tell you how to draft your own bodice etc. by using your measurements, but the method of using the patterns and the enlarging rulers is very close to that and, as I think, it might produce a very good substitution for a custom-drafted dress with saving a lot of your time and being very simple to do. It is something between custom drafting and pre-sized patterns, because you create the garments by using your bust and back length measurement, which are the two most important measurements for making a garment suited to your proportions and it will probably need only little easy modifications like adding/substracting from waist and hip width and maybe some changes for the front length. But all possible and most frequent modifications are very well explained in the book.

It is all written in such a way that even with no or little knowledge of drafting, you'll be able to produce a probably very well fitted garments.

For a drafting professional, it's a good help when doing things like skirts, especially draped overskirts and all garments creating a shape or silhouette that is hard to figure out. Even if you won't use the patterns for enlarging and draft the things yourself, you can very well keep to the shape of the patterns as you can see, unlike in so many pattern books, NUMBERS.

I think this book has the best ratio of the price and the information given of all costume book I've come through. It's a pity that there are no such books for earlier periods:-(

Excellent book!!!
This is a great book for seamstresses with some experience(I think it would be too hard for beginners.It would be good if you have some comprehenesion on sizing(drafting patterns yourself for example)but that isn't even necessary.I think it would be easier though:)

Frances Grimble gives clear instructions for changing patterns to size and even to different body shapes(large bust, short back etc.
You do need to take some time for this, but well, you'll have an authentic pattern in your hands, how great is that?;)And there are so many in this book! I was having a very hard time finding real historical patterns in The Netherlands(so far found one french journal from 1902)and I feel like a kid in a candystore now.:)I <3 this book already.

You can make a complete outfit, from undergarments to overgarments.

If you have some sewing experience and you love this period it is really a great book!



Amazon's service is excellent too. It didn't take very long for the item to arrive(from US to the Netherlands)(with one step faster shipping, expidited?)it was even a lot faster then the estimated arrival time.

Fashions of the Gilded Age, Volume 1: Undergarments, Bodices, Skirts, Overskirts, Polonaises, and Day Dresses 1877-1882
This book is wonderful. I believe I own every book Frances Grimble has written and anxiously await more. The variety of patterns is amazing and allows the experienced sewer to create their own designs from various components, like sleeves and collars. This sure beats trying to decipher the patterns in an original 1890's issue of Harpers!

as good as all the other Frances Grimble books
This book contains patterns for the following:
corsets, hoopskirts and bustles (some)
underclothing and negligee wear (quite a few)
day and evening skirts (only about four)
day bodices (quite a few)
evening bodices (some)
overskirts (some)
polonaises (some)
day dresses (quite a few)

some = around ten
quite a few = over 20

I would recommend this book for anyone who likes victorian costuming. It not only works as a pattern book, but as a source book, having lots of pictures you can use for reference. Even if you just look through it, it really can help you understand the styles of that era. ... Read more

Product Description