Fashion Books

I decided I was going to make aprons for my female family and friends for Christmas and ordered this book hoping it would give me lots of different ideas. It is actually more of a history lesson on aprons but did have lots of pictures and patterns and instructions. There does not seem to be a glut of books on Aprons so this was a good choice. If you are the least bit creative you can go with some of their general ideas and expand on them. Makes a nice coffee table book too.

Love this book!
I am always recommending it to others who love Aprons and apron stories.
It even has a user friendly pattern in the back of the book.
A must have as well as a great gift to send to friends who are apronistas!

I love this book - it brings back great memories. Very interesting information, photos, patterns, a great book to add to one's library.

I had to make an apron in Home Ec class many (many) years ago. I didn't enjoy it at all. I didn't care for the fabric, didn't really get the hang of using a sewing machine, just felt it was a waste of time. Nobody in my family wore an apron, anyway, somehow they miraclously stayed clean during food prep.
Flash forward a few decades. I like to cook and bake and I did not inherit the miracle of not getting messy while I cooked. Most aprons you can buy in a store are servicable - but not exactly flashy or pretty. One of my supervisors whipped up aprons as Christmas presents one year. I was amazed because I knew she was a very busy woman. Slowly, I began to gather fabric to make aprons. And when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. That's how I feel about this book. I recommend it highly.

Saw this in my book club at twice the money. I really identify with these, the good old days. Days when aprons were a part of getting dressed each day. I still am an apron person. Love those pockets.

I love this book i remember seeing it when i was like in the 7th grade an she had that picture of her in the book with no make up on an even pointed out flaws an zoomed in on it an then showed what make up does to her to cover it up for a model to do that with the rumours you hear bout how cut throat they are an how they like to pretend there perfect i started an all new respect for Ms.Tyra Banks, this book goes everywhere from Make-Up tips to relationships an sex its a good book for those girls who arent sure how to cope with break ups to how to apply eyeshadow correctly an do evening an day looks i would suggest this to ALL women of ALL ages especially to those who have teenagers an young adults like myself who are still trying to figure out who they are an also know there not alone as far as doing crazy things when it comes to guys. Tyra also gives personal stories of her experiences of broken hearts an even her stories on sex, (Also she has A lot of pictures of her modeling pics an of her family an just home photos.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's more than just looking good. Yes, there is a ton of information on skin care, makeup, body care, etc, but Ms. Banks also includes self-esteem, sex, generosity, self-respect, smoking, alcohol, and more.

I expected a more frivolous book from a supermodel, but this is real quality. Tyra seems like someone you would know. She has such a friendly, sweet attitude reflected in her writing and is so humble.

This book is filled with pictures, lots of color, and is fun to read. Great book!

I fell in love with this book since its release and highly recommend it. Sure, it contains tons of photos of Tyra, but this is the very nature of her work, people... HELLOOOOO. And it's obvious this book was going to focus on her by its title, it isn't called 'YOUR Beauty, Inside Out', now is it? Anyways, looking at her never gets boring because the pics are all varying in style and purpose. If you're a fan of Tyra or appreciate sexy-yet-wholesome beauty & personality then you'll cherish this book. It's one-parts autobiography, one-parts pictorial, and 1-parts self-improvement advice, the works mixed together! I get a strong feeling that this was the intention of Banks & Blake and I think it makes for a unique and fun reading experience.

As a model myself, I found Tyra's book to be informative and fun at the same time. I suggest it to all women, especially young girls just getting into the "make-up scene".

This book covers everything from pre-teen awkwardness to dating responsibly. Tyra has done an excellent job not only talking the talk but walking the walk! This book should be released and for all to enjoy.

I am a very beginning knitter. I do know how to knit and purl. This book has you make a sampler to start off with. She walks you through step by step. It is so easy and I am amazed at what I was able to do. I am getting ready to make the sweater, but with the sampler, I have already proved I can do the stitches.

This is a wonderful book! I'm just now working on the sampler and I can see that I am learning a lot of new techniques. There are lots of great ideas and techniques for making and creating your own sweaters! A worthwhile purchase!

Jan

This is a really great book. If you take the time to knit the sampler, you will learn so many useful techniques. I learned a lot from this book. This is a good book for beginners or for anyone who hates to sew seams. The only complaint I have is that all of the sweaters in this book have raglan sleeves. But other than that I would recommend this book.

This book is for knitters who want to take the next step and design their own sweaters. It is not a book to glance through in order to glean ideas - it is a book to STUDY. There are some patterns/designs included, but whether or not you like the author's designs is irrelevant - the whole point is to understand how to make your OWN designs from any yarn. I spin my own yarn. I don't want to use anyone else's patterns! This book, along with KNITTING IN THE OLD WAY, and KNITTING FROM THE TOP DOWN, is a teacher, a class, and a reference book all in one. It is not for the faint-hearted! It is for the knitter who says, "I CAN DO IT MYSELF."

I am a learn-by-doing-and-watching person. I do not generally learn well from books, although I have purchased several, including Barbara Walker's Knit from the Top and several Zimmermann books. Nevertheless, if you are serious about improving your knitting and want to have a little fun at it, too, this is the book. The key to this book is to knit the "sweater sampler" by which Fee takes you through all the techniques she can think of to construct a sweater. Fee's writing style is deceptively simple and VERY easy to follow, even for this very visual learner.

Even if you're not into knitting sweaters [I live in Mississippi, VERY little use for wool, although I love it]the techniques acquired working your way through the book give you the capability to make it past the "bumps" we all experience with traditional knitting instructions.
Which brings me to my second major point. I absolutely abhor line-by-line knitting directions and any knitted pieces requiring sewing or other seaming. By that I mean seamless knitting is the only way to go and Fee's workbook takes you there, although she includes instructions for "flat" knitters as well.

So, regardless of your preferred method of knitting, flat or circular, seamed or seamless, there is a great deal to be gained from this book. Although I have also acquired a great fondness for Elizabeth Zimmermann's writing, the DVD's for Zimmermann's instructional sections are better and make the techniques far more accessible to the average knitter who lacks a more experienced knitter for assistance. There is no such shortcoming with Fee's workbook, which means you can take it with you and work your way through it without access to video or computer equipment.

I really, really like this book and of the several knitting books I have purchased this one has taken me a long way to designing my own sweaters and other items without having to resort to a pattern wedded to a particular gauge, needle and yarn size.

I also strongly recommend you get the spiral bound version - it's definitely worth the few extra dollars you spend on it

Many thanks, Ms. Fee. And I would adore a DVD workshop "book" as well; if it would turn out to be anything like the book, I'd be glued to the computer with wool and needles in hand.

Yes, it's considered THE knitting bible and coveted by many. Why 4 stars? Because of the author's bias / strong opinion towards certain types of knitting. (I prefer Anna Zilborg's--The Knitting Anarchist---view that there is no wrong / right way to knit.) Nonetheless, the book is a must have for every serious knitter.

Before you cough up big $$$ on eBay, note: According to a 3-2007 posting on the Simon & Schuster site, the book is tentatively scheduled to be released in the summer or fall of 2008. According to the Winter 2007/08 issue of Vogue Knitting (page 25), the reprint / revision should appear in Fall 2009. (Seems the date has gotten pushed back yet again.)

I do not own this book, I wish I did. I frequently rent it from the library. I am one of the many who cannot afford the book, and wish for a reprint. It is comprehensive and if I were to own only one knitting book, this would be the one-hands down. Hopefully, the author and publishers will consider a reprint in the very near future. Until then, I will rent from the library.

This book is going to come out reprinted this year. Do not pay these exhorbitant prices to get a copy. One is coming soon. Do a little research on the internet and find out that what I am saying is true. I read an article in one of my recent knitting magazines and this is a fact. Don't pay $175 for one!! Just trying to help....

Good news sweet ladies! on the winter issue of Vogue Knitting (page 25)
under the title "SPOTLIGHT" says that an updated reprint will hit the bookstores on fall of 2009. How cool is that ???

Ingrid

For those who are interested...

June Hemmons Hiatt and Simon & Schuster are finally working on the reprint of this fantastic book. As per Vougue Knitting's winter 07/08 issue, word is "Hiatt has been editing, rewriting and adding material to a second edition of the book, which should hit bookstores in the fall of 2009.

Hooray!!!

I highly reccomend this item! I am a paper crafter, and I love using these paper fashions to make quick stylish cards. I love this item because unlike some paper fashion books, it offers paper and templates, not precut paper or stickers. This is a great product for scrapbookers and cardmakers, and for all girls big and small. Also, there are miniature hangers included that add an extra touch to my cards, and I even hung ties on them to make a father's day card.

We bought this for our 10 year old granddaughter and she was delighted with the kit. It's simple to use, everything is included and it gave hours of fashion fun for a young girl. These kits as a whole are very appealing to preteen girls.

My 6 year old LOVED this book. it is a great value for the money. the book comes with ideas for uses of the fashion cutouts (making cards, gift bags, paper dolls, etc.) and the outfits themselves are made by tracing stencils onto the patterned paper and then cutting them out and adding "buttons" (beads) or "belts" (ribbon) and various notions and trims. the stencils are sturdy and can be used over and over again.

even when you run out of the supplies included (paper, glue, sequins, ribbons, beads, etc.) they are easy and inexpensive enough to buy from a craft/scrapbooking store. so unlike some of the books like this, it's not useless when you run out of the supplied components.

i've also given my daughter scrap material (like quilting squares you can buy for cheap) and she can make these with real fabrics, which adds an extra touch of fun for making cards and things. it's a fun project for her to take on playdates, everyone seems to enjoy it.

I tell myself I bought this book for my daughter, but I really bought it for me! I am in love with the little hangers! We have enjoyed this book together, and spent HOURS designing wardrobes for ourselves! I recently framed a page of COURTNEY'S FASHIONS (including her prices) for my studio, and will cherish this one-of-a-kind artwork forever! Courtney has even dug into my paper stash for more "designs," although the book comes with a marvelous assortment of paper! We LOVE the clothing stencils... they will last for years. (I can see Courtney using this in clothing/textile classes when she is in high school and college!)
BEST KLUTZ book ever!

Fashion ROCKS! And so does this incredible toy masquerading as a book-it's FABULOUS, darling! For all budding fashion designers, stylists or anyone curious about the fashion world, this book is definitely for you-BUY IT!! And if you're wondering if you should get the sequel, Paper Fashions Fancy along with it, YES-please do-you won't regret it! The first one is 'to infinity', the second is 'and beyond!!'-it's even better!!

That was my short review. If you need more encouragement and/or details, read on, dear reader!
So, I've had this for like a week now, on the first day, I played with it since breakfast-unable to tear myself away from it, and trust me-it only gets better the more time I spend on it-I could do this for a living!! The novelty never wears off because the possiblities are endless!

Okay, so, the book;
*has quotes from famous designers peppered throughout
*it's colorful, beautiful and easy to understand
*it tells you what comes with the book, what you also need (scissors and pencil), and what you might also want
*has 3 pages of plastic stencils (it's a soft plastic, so no sharp edges) and it tells you exactly how to use them
*there are tips for cutting, making the best use of paper, gluing and embellishing instructions
*there are hints about using color and patterns and ideas for design notebooks, greeting cards and other ways you might want to display your finished creations
*you never have to worry about running out of paper because you can use just about anything!-paper bags, tin foil, muffin cups, tissue paper, white paper that you've rubber stamped, used magazines and catalogs, and of course art & craft stores have an abundance of scrapbook/origami paper and thingies! You could also borrow real fabric and photocopy or scan and print it! Phew! AND if you type in Paper Fashions, you'll see that one of the products is a pack of Extra Stuff'-so you're golden!
*with the book, you already get a sheaf of pretty printed and plain papers and even a sheet of vellum for that sheer look! You're spoilt for choice!
*and you get a cute little tube of school glue, 3 packs of beads and sequins-in warm colors, cool colors, and gold and silver (and in resealable baggies no less!) and you also get 3 bundles of ribbon and and 2 cord trims (phew! that's a lot, huh!) and don't forget-20 cute little wire hangers!

Technical stuff: it's labeled suitable for ages 8 & up (if you're a very responsible and mature under 8 though, you would have to Double Super-Dooper Promise your designated adult shopper that you won't put any of the thingies in your mouth, because choking, not a good look people!)
Also, although it's aimed at girls, I'd just like to say Valentino, Isaac Mizrahi, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Narciso Rodriguez, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen-and Dolce & Gabana; just a handful of world famous men who design womenswear! I'm just saying, a little more open-mindedness makes the world a more balanced and happier place-follow your dreams people! (That would be my Carson Kressley impression-also a totally poppin' style guru!)

Final words, grown ups-if this appeals to you-go ahead and get one for yourself! Why should kids have all the fun?! I'm 30 something, I got this for me (and yesterday I ordered the sequel too!) and I LOVE IT!!!
Okay, I'm done!

I purchased this book based on its recommendations, and I'm not sorry I did. It's been 25+ years since I touched a sewing machine, and this book definitely helped take the fright away. Perfect for new seamstresses of all ages.

I have the Rip It! book and love it. I just got this book for my niece for christmas. She wants to learn how to sew and I know this is the best book out there for her. It's very easy to understand and comes with patterns for her to learn with. I'm also getting her a sewing machine from www.sewfastseweasy.com
I love giving! She is going to be so thrilled!

I bought this book for my daughter and she has taken to sewing extremely fast. She's so proud of what she makes. Her enthusiasm for sewing now is almost too much for me to keep up with. This book was was easy for her to understand and the illustrations were very clear. She's been playing around with reconstructing her clothes so I'm thinking of getting her the Rip It book as well. I'm happy to see her involved in a positive hobby that she truly enjoys and gets satisfaction from.

I just bought this book because I wanted to delve into sewing a little more. I knew how to sew but I didn't know much about sewing techniques or terms or sewing notions and how to use them. This book was very easy to understand and explains everything I need to know about sewing and using notions and patterns. It's now my sewing bible! If I get stuck on something I grab my sew fast sew easy book.

The book is great it even comes with patterns. The book is easy to understand and has lots of detail. I would definatly recommend it.

A friend of mine loaned me a copy of her book when she found out that I was looking for something new and different from the afghans I had been knitting with old left over yarns. After looking thru the book and trying one of the patterns, I realized that I want to try ALL of the patterns in this book. If your looking at this book and thinking about getting it, I recommend getting the book, if your new to these kinds of things, like me, you can always start using scrap yarns and then move up to the more sophisticated yarns if you are comfortable with reading the pattern. There are patterns here that are easy to do and some that are a bit more challenging but all worth the time and effort. I'm still working up the courage to try a couple of these but I will get there eventually.

I am a fan of the "Folk" books and have several. The Folk Shawl book is easy to read, easy to understand, and gave me my first introduction to lace knitting. I was instantly hooked. I've knitted several of the shawls from this book and highly recommend it to anyone exploring lace knitting for the first time and as a tool to introduce newer knitters to this art. I've had great fun with Folk Shawls and have become a wearer of my shawls preferring them to sweaters.....they easily slip on and off and are a comfort in the cold weather. I even knitted a heavier version of the larger Stora shawl out of worsted weight wool and wore it as a substitute for a coat over an alpaca sweater!

Thank you Cheryl Oberle for a wonderful book!

This was the first shawl book I ever bought. I read it cover to cover a few times before ever picking up yarn and needles. The shawls are diverse, beautiful and the stories are captivating.

Kristin Omdahl
www.StyledByKristin.com

This book contains the absolute best collection of gorgeous shawl patterns I've ever seen in one volume. If you like making shawls, this is the book at the top of the list. I can't wait till I finish current projects and can start something from the Folk Shawls book.

I bought this book as an introduction to knitting lace shawls. I want to learn the basic increase/decrease and shaping techniques so that I can design my own patterns. For me, this book was the perfect place to start.

In the current printing of this book, it appears the pattern errors have been eliminated. I went to the Interweave Press website to print the errata for the pattern I'm working on, and found that all of the mistakes had been corrected. If you have an older copy of the book, you can print the corrections from PDF files at the IP website.

This book was highly recommended to me by other knitters when I asked what pattern books to purchase to learn lace knitting. The instructions are concise, and the charts are easy to read. The variety of patterns makes it a perfect book for experimenting with yarn substitution, and different lengths and shapes for shawls.

Great book!! I borrowed it from my library and realized that I wanted to own it. Anyone who wants to knit socks should buy this book. It is the best one of its kind.

I've been a knitter for several years, but never brought myself to knit socks. I decided to get this book to teach myself how to knit socks, and I couldn't have been happier with it! The instructions are so clear, and I was able to knit my first pair in a matter of days with minimal mistakes. I also enjoy all the patterns that are included within the book, as they go from a basic sock pattern to more complex cabled and lace patterns for when you progress. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is intimidated to tackle knitting socks...you'll have your first pair of handmade socks before you know it!

This is the best, clearest, step-by-step how-to for sock knitting. It goes through each step in the process with nicely laid out pages and photographs, and also gives patterns according to each type of yarn weight. In the back there are lists of varieties of stitches you can substitute. I had never knit a sock before buying this book, and I have no problems knitting them now thanks to this book.

I haven't even been knitting for more than half a year and have never followed a pattern. I got this book and am almost done knitting my second sock. I've never even knitted in the round before! If I can knit a sock, anybody can (using this book)!!!

I am teaching myself - very slowly - to knit - and this book is clearly written - even I can understand it!

I have been having so much fun with this book! I especially appreciate the very specific tools he presents here for determining your body type, proportions, and what clothing types are most flattering to you, rather than vague generalities found in many other style/beauty books. Mr. Hopkins' approach is not so much to teach you to hide signs of aging or try to hide your age, but to look your best at your true age, and emphasize your best features, which even those of us who are 45 and over still have, darn it! This is an important distinction, in my opinion, and sets his book apart from others aimed at older women, particularly Ms. Krupp's "How Not To Look Old" , which just comes across as desperate to me. Leg makeup and botox? No thanks!

Since I bought this book, I've purged my cosmetics drawer and my closet, gotten professional advice on a new skin care regimen and makeup application, and am looking for a new hair stylist.

I do agree with another poster who said that tailoring some of the fashion advice to specific body types would be helpful if there are future editions/updates. Overall, there is no other beauty/style book out there like this one, and I heartily recommend it.

From the minute you open this book, you will be so glad you did. It will transform your thinking about yourself, your clothes and makeup. After a few days of using this book, I have gotten rave reviews and everyone seems to notice! This is a must have book. His methods take very little effort- making a few changes in dress and makeup make all the difference.
Buy it! You will be transformed while remaining you.

Christopher Hopkins book is the best beauty book I've ever read. He talks to women over 45 and inspires you and more importantly teaches you in clear, easy ways how to look younger and to be the best you can be. Christopher breaks down each part of your appearance and shows you how to find your body type, your personality type and then how to make changes that make you look and feel better. He used women from his area for the makeovers and he made them look so much better that if you mixed up the before and after photos, you would have trouble matching many of them.
I used the book and changed how I wore the clothes I already own to make them work better for me and immediately began getting compliments on my appearance. Makeup has always been confusing for me, but he makes it simple and shows you exactly what to buy and how to apply it. I have followed his advice and now wear foundation for the first time in my life and love it. I think every woman over 45 who is ready to feel new, refreshed, and younger should read this book!

I'm way too young for this book (got it for my mom), but it actually had great makeup and fashion tips for us both. It also inspired me to dress "young" while I still can! :)

This is a fantastic book! Christopher Hopkins presents his topic in a personal, entertaining, factual, and very useable format. He is an extremely talented person in his field and possesses the equally important gift of being able to communicate his skills to his clients and the general public. His makeovers are unbelievable! If you're interested in the topic, you'll love this book!

This book is such a great collection of tiki decor and knick-knacks that you don't even need to read the captions to enjoy it. My wife and I want to turn one of our rooms into a tiki bar. We thought we would need to do a lot of looking to get a good idea of what real post-war tiki bars were like. Well, look no further. This book has it all. If you type in "tiki" in an Internet search engine, it wouldn't come up with this many ideas. This book reviews everything from the blue prints to the big tiki restaurants down to the coasters underneath the amazing assortment of tiki mugs. The title could not have been more appropriate. This is the definitive book of tiki. Have great fun looking through the book. Depending on your age, it might make you nostalgic for those lost days.

If you have the slightest interest in the subject, you have to have this book. it is an amazing piece of work, and a visual feast. It is one book I pick up again and again, and always notice something new. Buy it.

Truly a wonder of nature this Book of Tiki. Chances are, you might so your parents or grandparents in the pictures, from the days before you considered them old.

The text of the book goes briefly through the various sources of Polynesian pop-culture, and where it branched off. From Michener's South Pacific, to the Lanai apartments in Anytown, USA.

The pictures, brought through the archives of time in the form of various postcards and of the now empty lots that once were Tiki bowling alleys and apartments, show us a fascinating time of tehnicolor wonder and primitive naivete. This was before PC was PC.

All around, a fantastic read, whether you're a full on tiki freak, or you simply wonder why grandpa wore a Hawaiian shirt to your wedding.

Like all Taschen books, this book is visually STUNNING! Just leafing through the pictures never gets boring. The real treat is the book is also jam packed facts, folklore, drink recipies, and so much more. More information about Tiki than I ever knew existed.

Plenty of eye-candy in this book, but very well balanced with informative and fun content. A must have for the Tiki enthusiast!

This book is a must have for anyone interested in Tiki or kitsch art. Describing themselves as "urban archaeologists" seeking remnants of Tiki culture, the authors provide a fun and informative look at this vanishing art form. The book does an acceptable job presenting the evolutionary history of Tiki, from the 1920s to the present. Key events, such as the establishment of Trader Vic's, and the Kon Tiki craze of the late 40s, are looked at in further detail. There is also a good look at the "artifacts" of Tiki art and architecture throughout the United States. The book is packed with color photos of Tiki mugs, matchbooks, buildings, and much more.

However, the book does lean a bit too much towards making the book eye candy. The Book of Tiki uses intense colors, and ultra-hip page compositions that make it difficult to read (typically Taschen, but I still found it distracting). Also, a consolidation of information would have made it easier to reference, such as a table differentiating the different "Trader" Tiki businesses. Also, some of the text ("Exotica and the Tiki style were denounced as contrived rituals of the imperialist establishment at the same time that the Vietnam war developed into and ugly mistake, with native huts and palm trees burning on TV."), had me wondering if they were being tounge-in-cheek, or were actually serious.

Nevertheless, this book is the current bible for Tiki aficionados, and is well worth having on your bookshelf.