Best Textile & Costume
From basics to expert, it's two books in one, an efficient sewing machine guide and in-depth reference book that can stay with you for years to come. Both home machines and industrial machines are covered with sections dedicated to modern machines and vintage machines. From straight stitch machines to electronic machines over 100 of the most popular home and industrial machines are featured with insights on capabilities for each type of machine.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book covers a lot, before this book we had to use 4 books to get the same information and the other books were expensive. If you want a more basic book the same author also has another book called the Sewing Machine Quick Guide that we have also been using for our basic sewing class. The beginning chapters of both books are similar but the Master Guide has advanced chapters and goes into greater detail, also Quick Guide does not cover industrial machines. The book covers both modern and vintage machines, the other books we found are outdated. The chapters on quilting machines and embroidery machines are a good introduction to these types of machines and give the fundamentals and cover some of the more popular models."
"The most popular sewing machine then was the 15-91 which she bought as soon as sewing machines could be manufactured after WWII."
"This book is very helpful in giving some ideas about what kind of sewing machine to buy."
"But now that's a matter of making space and time for it, verses matter of intimidation (which understanding just how the stuff works has eliminated)."
"I dont know anything about sewing machines and the subject is not well known and not written a lot."
"Gives great information on adjustments you can make yourself instead of taking in for repairs."
"I was considering buying a Singer 404...I read the review of this machine in the book, and bought the machine THE NEXT DAY."
"After not sewing for over 20 years, I've started again after purchasing a vintage Singer Machine model 66-k."
Its new features include color photos of the finished patterns, many of them reknit using contemporary yarns, as well as a frontispiece by Andrew Wyeth, a preface by the author's daughter, an introduction by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, instructions for the February Lady Sweater, and other bonus items. Perhaps her passionate opinions, as well as her love of wool craft and her delightful style, hark back to her English upbringing or long residence in the Wisconsin woods; in any case, the "Busy Knitter," as she calls herself, is one of the most charming and informative, as well as "un"ventive (her word) knitter-authors anywhere. This book gives full scope to her tireless imagination through a year's worth of projects, fitted to the seasons, moods, and needs of knitters who would like to design their own work.The year begins with an Aran sweater and proceeds to February baby things, a March Shetland, April blanket, May mittens, and so on through the months, completing the zodiac with November moccasin socks and a December last-minute wishbone sweater.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In my case, back when I decided to learn to knit, I was having a problem with - what was it? With this book, you can knit your way around the year."
"I hope that very soon all the knitting and crochet books I want will be available for Kindle."
"Love her books."
"This is a classic knitting book that you can knit as a project through the year."
"Just read some of it so far but is very informative and very funny."
"For a long time, I discounted the EZ philosophy, but once I started reading her down to earth writing and instructions, I realized that this is what knitting was about. EZ was all about taking a lot of the mystery and complications out of knitting with her frankness and honesty."
"A must book for a knitter."
"I hope every new knitter who is baffled/discouraged by other knitting books and patterns picks this up and gives it a read."
The official companion to ITV’s hotly anticipated new drama, Victoria delves into the private writings of the young Queen Victoria, painting a vivid picture of the personal life of one of England’s greatest monarchs. “Rappaport’s text beautifully and chronologically guides the reader through the early years of Victoria’s reign… This is a volume fans of the Masterpiece series will look at again and again.” (Newark Star Ledger). “A marvelous companion to this series, with wonderful illustrations and an engaging backstory…” (New York Journal of Books).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In such circumstances it was not surprising that the Duchess of Kent came under the influence of unscrupulous advisers like Sir John Conroy, and that the young Princess Victoria led a lonely childhood, depending on her German governess Baroness Lehzen for emotional support and friendship. She removed herself from her mother's orbit by taking up residence in Buckingham Palace, formed a strong friendship with her first prime minister Viscount Melbourne, and established herself as a powerful voice in Government. She made many missteps, becoming overly infatuated with Melbourne and refusing to accept the realities of parliamentary politics, was involved in a sordid whispering campaign against one of her mother's ladies-in-waiting who appeared to be pregnant but was actually mortally ill, and was booed and hissed in public. She was tempted by the visiting Grand Duke Alexander of Russia, but eventually she was steered towards two German cousins, Princes Ernest and Albert of Saxe-Coburg, by her uncle King Leopold of the Belgians. The commentary should deepen viewers' interest in many of the characters, such as the Duchess of Sutherland and Lord Alfred Paget, who are seen only briefly in the series but who Rappaport reveals to have been intelligent and multi-faceted people in their own rights."
"So well written and a great compansion to the series!"
"beautiful book!"
"Purchased these for dear friends for Christmas."
"I got my Wife this book and she really enjoys it."
"Very nicely formatted book with accompanying text and photos."
"This book is an attribute to the series which we adore."
"Lovely book that compliments the series nicely."
Best Furniture Design
Discover the joys of upholstery and bring new life to your worn-out furniture. *Starred Review* It stands to reason that a big, heavily illustrated book of instructions on how to upholster furniture should be as attractive as the finished projects it presents. Amanda Brown from Spruce has been our resident upholstery expert for a while and we were thrilled when she told us she was working on a book. That gorgeous book, Spruce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upholstery and Design , officially launched yesterday and is chock-full of beautiful (and helpful) upholstery instructions, illustrated by more than 900 step-by-step photographs. Upholstery has always been daunting to me, but Amanda is an excellent teacher and everything she’s shared in this book will help you master the techniques and skills you need to reupholster any piece of furniture to suit your own taste and style.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Reasons I prefer this book above the rest: The author covers enough different styles of furniture so that you can tackle anything - and shows you how to determine which instructions would be best in her book for different pieces of furniture. The author combines more modern techniques (using foam and pneumatic stapler) with techniques that will help your piece of furniture stand the test of time. The only reason you wouldn't need to buy this book is if you lived in Austin, TX and could take a class from her personally."
"Very handy and provides good information."
"I am a "do-it-yourself" person and really appreciate the different projects in your book."
"That said, I have perused the book (kindle version) and been very impressed with the whole format: instructions, photography, and projects are well presented and detailed."
"This book is excellent."
"Excellent instructions for any furniture project."
"I've been taking an upholstery class with a really great 'old school' instructor teaching exacting and thorough processes."
"LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!"
Best Decorative Graphic Design
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In addition to being full of creative ways to design your tree like a pro, The Art of the Tree is full of ideas and organizational tips, including wonderful checklists to keep you organized and take the stress out and put the fun in."
"Christmas tree themes? I didn’t but Cassie does."
"This is a great book for those who have no idea where to start when it comes to decorating their Christmas tree."
"From choosing themes and color schemes to organizing materials and everything in between, The Art of the Tree delivers everything the that it promises."
"Cassie has not only written a helpful book but has been such a blessing to me when I lived in TN."
"I honestly had never thought about decorating my Christmas tree as an art, and I'm an artist!"
"Each chapter has tips for each part of your tree."
"I can't wait to use some of the very practical tips to bring a touch of style to our favorite family ornaments."
Best Graphic Design of Books
Well, maybe you’re Writing and Publishing for the first time, or maybe you’ve done the hard part and you need to know how to get your Masterpiece out there and into the hands of a real audience? Where to find your first willing customers who'll kick-off your sales The importance of Reviews and how to get genuine customers to write them Using the right Keyword tactics to get your book onto Page 1 in Amazon's Category Search How to price, track, and promote your book, and when to write the next one Brand New Chapters on Kindle Unlimited, Countdown Deals, and Pre-Order, the powerful new Amazon Marketing Programs. Rick Smith is an independent Author and Publisher on Amazon, with multiple Top-Ten books in their categories, and numerous Best Seller badges. Rick Smith is an International Marketing Consultant and Self-Published Independent Author.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Createspace is also owned by Amazon and produces paperback books by “print on demand” technology. He gives advice running the gamut from picking a chair in which to write all the way to preparation of your cover and manuscript and uploading it. He goes over the usual material on optimizing your key words, title, covers, and book description. For instance, he covers how to format and upload your book to Createspace (and Kindle too) in immense detail, and this is right after telling you how you might come up with a topic and set yourself up to write. And, he lists some neat tools for writing which most do not mention such as a program called “Evernote.”. So far I have not seen a book on self-publishing through Amazon which is as complete and useful as a permanent reference as well as an introduction to the entire process from wish to royalty."
"If you want to be an author and get your book out there in the world, I highly suggest you BUY THIS BOOK! Createspace and Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass is a book I will keep in my library and everytime I write a book, I will go through it again and follow it completely."
"I have purchased and read four of the books in Rick's Self-Publishing Masterclass series, and reread them each time I'm preparing to publish and launch another book."
"Though I've been lucky enough to have had some success with a small publishing house, this book really explained the world of online book marketing in such a manner that I feel self-publishing may well be worth doing."
"Rick Smith's book educated and guided me through the self-publishing route to the point where I was comfortable with my decision to go with Createspace and Kindle."
"If you want the blueprint for success in publishing your book as an ebook on KDP or paperback on CreateSpace, then you need to read the advice presented in CreateSpace & Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass."