The best flower book I own!

This is the best book I own (out of many flower books) and I would definatley recomened it to anyone who loves flowers! <br /><br />With great use of colour, texture and an array of easy to find sesonal flowers (and even some extravagent designs) this little book is definatey the book you need when trying to find ideas on flowers not only for weddings but for any occasion.<br /><br />Great Book!

An excellent reference book

Contrary to what other reviewers have said, I wouldn't recommend this book for total beginners - it assumes that you already know the basics of setting up and using a sewing machine, cutting out a pattern, pinning things together, etc. These things may sound obvious, but they certainly weren't to me at first! If you really are starting from scratch and would like a book that'll hold your hand with that sort of thing, this isn't the one for you yet. However, if you're already OK with the absolute basics (or aren't afraid to ask the internet!) and are looking to make the move from practising with cushion covers to making clothes, then this book is a must-have.<br /><br />Although I can't imagine ever sitting down and reading the whole thing, I've found it absolutely invaluable for looking up particular techniques or bits of jargon when I'm dealing with less-than-clear patterns. The instructions and diagrams are clear and useful, and I particularly appreciate the alternative techniques that it suggests for certain fiddly or complicated bits. And it's not just good for sewing techniques - the book is full of other useful stuff, including a guide to different fabrics and what they are used for and a fantastic section on altering patterns to fit your shape.<br /><br />All in all, this book thoroughly deserves five stars. Admittedly, the sewing patterns that it comes with aren't much cop and you'll probably never need to use some sections, but the quality of the instructions and the thoroughness of the descriptive sections can't be beat. It's a great investment, and you'll be referring to this book for years to come.

Fantastic value and easy to make cakes!

When a child, I remember that my mother had an older edition of this cookbook which my brothers and I used to look through and choose our birthday cakes from every year. We loved the cakes, all of which are reproduced in this more up to date book, now appearing more colourful and just as yummy looking as ever.<br /><br /> This new edition is fantastic value, containing easy to follow recipes for lots and lots of cakes. <br /><br /> If you have young children and like to make you own cakes for their birthdays (and home made cakes always taste better!), you will not find a book with as many simple recipes as this one. I find the Australian women's weekly cookbooks really helpful and down to earth. The cakes vary from super quick and simple to more time and consuming and elegant (and even these are relatively easy).<br /><br /> Most recipes use everyday confectionary which is easy to get hold of in your local supermarket - there are barely any ingedients that you will find difficult to obtain.<br /><br /> I have given this book 5 stars for its easy, accessible style and simple to make cakes which really do taste good and look impressive for both children and adults. There are great categories of cakes, including seperate ones for boys and girls, and also number cakes which can be adapted and personalised for all birthdays (not just children's!)<br /><br /> I highly recommend this book, for cakes to make and also as a reference for inspiration!!!

Excellent.

A proper, no-frills bench reference to all kinds of joining - really useful, functional and not just another glossy coffee table book for hobbyists!

Stunning!

When I ordered this book I wasn't sure about what I was ordering."Tilda" crafts style were just new for me. Well, it was a very good surprise! <br />The book is wonderful: the pictures, the way that the crafts are shown... You feel like you want to make everything!<br />The patterns and all the explanations are very easy to follow. My first Tilda bears and cats are coming out from the sweing machine!

If you love fashion, you'll love this !!

If you're as mad as i am about fashion, then you'll love this book! This book covers everything from the true British designers to world renowned Fashion Gods!! The photos are very classy, and the layout is very stylish !! In alphabetical order, the book is very easy to use. A definate must have for any Fashion Student.

A bible for sugarcraft !

I was given the first hardcover edition of this book in 1988 as a Christmas present and I have stayed loyal to it ever since. The basic cake recipes are highly reliable - the rich fruit cake one of my staples come Christmas. The sugarcraft techniques are taught in such a way that has provided a foundation for further exploration. It's a great introduction to sugarcraft for the novice and provides a clear structure and overview for those who have struggled aimlessly in the dark thus far. I also have Book 2 and it is equally highly recommended. Both of my books are now ready for replacement after much wear, tear and intense use!

All About Beads - Barbara Case

This book is an excellent resource for those wishing to design and make handcrafted jewellery. I have referred to the techniques and instructions time and again, and believe it to be one of the best reference books on the market. Filled with great illustrations, easy to follow step-by-step instructions, design ideas and crafty tips, this is a must have for everyone interested in making their own jewellery.

A good introduction with some cute and funky patterns

I bought this book as a total novice knitter just over two weeks ago - not a stitch did I know, but this book was a great gateway into the weird world of yarn and sticks.<br /><br />The diagrams are clear and quite easy to follow - though some techniques, such as the long tail cast-on method could have done with a few more strategically placed diagrams I think - it seemed to be an awful lot to grasp with just a couple of pictures showing what seemed at the time like quite a complicated maneuver! But, if you have the internet (and I assume you do as you are browsing Amazon's website) then youtube is your friend, and a small supplement to your learning such as that (in lieu of the old hands of knitting such as the stock teachers known all over the world as 'grannies'), along with this book and you'll be knitting your way merrily to something fab and funky in no time.<br /><br />So, from total novice to three hats, a pair of mittens, a bag and the beginnings of a sweater in just over two weeks, the book seems to have done the job - you learn as you create - no knitting useless rectangles and swatches for no reason - you start off running, but using only the simplest skills. The obligatory scarf comes first, but as you reach each new project, a new skill is introduced, and before you know it, you're pretty accomplished! Each pattern in the book lists which skills are needed before you begin, and reference to new skills are given at the beginning of each pattern.<br /><br />Overall, a very good book - the only reasons I haven't given it the full five stars is that it misses out a few techniques I would like to have seen covered ('double knitting' for a start, which is not covered in the follow up book 'Stitch and B**ch Nation', either) and also because I think that the sequel book rather outdoes this one for the interestingness of its patterns - so if you can afford to buy both, treat yourself. I have the book of projects for men arriving tomorrow - if I'm going to spend all of my time knitting now, I might as well subject my boyfriend to some ill-fitting jumpers ^_^

Really nice book, lots of nice things to make

I received this book as a present, and was very impressed. The quality of the book itself is very good, and the photos of the projects are gorgeous.<br /><br />The projects themselves are generally easy to make, especially if you have some quilting experience - but even if you're a beginner, you'd be able to handle them. There is a section explaining techniques and materials etc, which is well-explained.<br /><br />They don't require exotic materials; everything you need is easy to get, and they are adaptable, so you could tweak a lot of them to suit whatever you have to hand.<br /><br />There are quite a few presents for babies - a pillow, quilt, toys, wall hangings - all of which are lovely. There are also some household projects - coasters (very stylish - and could easily be made into placemats by making them bigger), cushions, a picnic rug, decorative things. There are some presents for sewers - a needle book, pincushions... and a decorated notebook, which again could be customised.<br /><br />If all your friends are single, childless, don't like sewing, and very into modern decor, there might not be so much you could make as presents, but personally I will be making a lot of these things for myself and for friends' children!<br /><br />A great book, has lots of great ideas, and definitely a springboard for many more!

FANTASTIC EASY TO FOLLOW BOOK

This book has to be the best sewing book I've found, I was after a something that would help me through some of my more challenging projects. This book has everything you need whether you're new to sewing or experienced, from all the basics, to more advance in tailoring, soft furnishings etc.<br /><br />Straight forward explanations and clear diagram's make this this book easy to follow.<br /><br />In my opinion, a copy should be in every sewers kit !<br />

Highly Recommended

This is a fabulous and inspirational book for any creative embroiderer and even those who find the idea of creating a sketchbook somewhat intimidating. It shows those of us who love to stitch but are hopeless at drawing how to set about research and design for a piece of work. It covers a wide range of materials and media including sketching, collage, mark-making and use of computer programs. The book is beautifully illustrated with detailed photos of the work and designs of a number of different textile artists including Julia Caprara, Maggie Grey and the author, Kay Greenlees. Highly recommended!

Fantastic introduction

This was my first book about beading, and it gave me the courage to try the vast range of techniques shown. The information is set out clearly, and is well illustrated. <br />An inspirational gallery is included at the back - it will make you want to create something just as beautiful.<br />An absolute must for anyone wanting to know how and where to start with a few beads. Buy it.

Beautiful!!!

This isn't so much a book as a labour of love. Beautifully presented, extremely clear photographs, high quality paper. It remains to be seen whether it can teach me how to make jewellery - if it can't that'll be down to me - but in any case it is a lovely book to own.

an inspiration

Paula Pryke has done it again! This book is as good as her previous ones! I a florist, found so many inspirational ideas from this book, beautiful photos, with clear and easy to read explanations and tutorials for those who need them!
Try as i might i can't find anything negative to say about it!!
I would reccomend this book to everyone!

Finally the wait is over

I have been waiting for this book to be published and finally the day has come :))<br />I am going to recommend it to people who already know how to crochet amis and to those who have never had a crocheting hook in their hands yet.<br />I have been purchasing individual crocheting patterns from Ana Paula Rimoli for a while now and I have always found them cutest, easy, well explained and so quick to make. At this stage most of my friends own something crocheted by me using <br />Ana's patterns and in fact I have a"presents" waiting list:) (yes, the toys are that cute!!!)<br />To sum up the value of the book is very good (comparing to many Japanese amigurumi books which cost about the same but have only few patterns) - lots of very cute, inexpensive, various projects and they are:<br />Valentine bears, baby lion and his daddy, puppy and his daddy (my favourite!!!!), baby monkey and her daddy, baby penguin and her mommy, baby owl and her mommy, baby hedgehog and her mommy, boy and girl elephants, baby octopus and her mommy, mrs and mr cactus (great!!), happy eggs, smiling desserts, tiny amis (6 toys), little pear, little apple and worm as well as crocheting instruction and crocheting terms explained for those who have never crocheted before.<br />I am hooked on crocheting now and can only hope that the book is the first one of many more to come!!!<br />

wish I'd got this years ago

I found this book really helpful, My wardrobe was full of clothes that didnt do anything for me, I never knew what to put on in the morning, I got confused between style and fashion and just put on my safe clothes instead. This book helps you to bring out your own style and its so easy. I had the ultimate compliment from my husband, he said I looked good but it didnt look like I'd tried at all. I've been trying to do that for years (I'm 42!!)

There is more to this book than the title suggests

This book is excellent value for money and covers far more than just decorating cakes. The parts of the books devoted to decorating are inspirational. Not all the cakes are to my personal taste but with so many cakes shown this book must come close to catering for all tastes. There are traditional birthday and wedding cakes, novelty cakes, simple cakes and some that would be tricky if you were a beginner. There is also a large selection of dessert cakes which look good enough to use on a special occasion if a sugar paste creation is not your cup of tea. <br />The great thing about the book is the vast range of techniques shown and the number of delicious recipes. Normally books with the level of detail for decorating cakes that Jane Price has provided don't focus on making the actual cake but this book is different. There are clear and easy to follow instructions for all of the cakes and more detailed information for working with sugar paste and royal icing including making flowers, figures and animals. There are 50 pages devoted to gateaux which all look stunning. There is the peach and orange mouse cake made with white chocolate mousse, cappuccino truffle cake with instructions on how to make homemade cappuccino truffles coated in white chocolate, pears baked in Madeira cake with a spun sugar halo. The section on working with chocolate was a bonus I hadn't been expecting, it isn't very in-depth but there is enough information to make me want to have a go. <br />Everything I have tried so far has turned out really well. I am really glad I bought this book.<br />

Dive right in!

This book is wonderful for anyone wanting to explore crochet. The instructions are great for learners and the photos and diagrams provide extra help when needed. There are loads of different designs and the patterns are fun & varied. This book was the start of my passion for crochet, and it will keep you going for ages. The target audience is teens-20's so there may not be much interest for older crocheters looking to make garments for themselves. The designs are fun & funky and may not appeal to people wanting classic style clothing.