Product Description
Stories in Stained Glass presents the history and artistry of the glorious windows at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (in Washington, DC).Their stained glass fulfills three functions: a colorful interior luminance, a distinctly 20th Century artistic expression, and a literal pictorial account of the faith.The congregation traces its history through several prior buildings over 150 years as a major downtown institution.That story, the history of stained glass artistry, and the design process for the present windows are beautifully presented.Full color plates and an excellent chronicle celebrate this unique contribution to the Capital City's rich iconographic, architectural, and cultural heritage. - Donald Beekman Myer, FAIA, Clerk of the Works, Washington National Cathedral ... Read more

Product Description
Six detailed step-by-step lessons are provided to make torchon lace, each with its own workcard containing a pricking, diagram and photograph of the finished lace. ... Read more

Product Description
Teach Yourself Watercolour Painting shows you how to master all the main watercolour techniques and, through a range of exercises, step-by-step examples and finished paintings, encourages you to experiment and to find your own painting style. Teach Yourself Watercolour Painting Includes: information on choosing paints, brushes and other equipment with guidance on mixing colours and understanding colour harmony and contrasts; advice on selecting ideas and keeping a sketchbook; how to plan each stage of your painting, from checking the composition to adding the final details; help with painting from colour sketches, drawings and photographs as well as useful tips on how to tackle landscape, still life and other subjects. ... Read more

Product Description
The technique is easy. The options? Endless! Better still, creating one of these exciting designs may be quicker than you think. That's because Carol Nartowicz's cut-and-fold quilting technique is inspired by a layered papercrafting technique called incire (also known as lace--pronounced lassay). Three layers of fabric give the look of complex appliques. Essentially, the top two layers are fused together (with wrong sides facing), cut, and folded (revealing the contrasting fabric). Small areas of a third fabric show when the cuts are folded open. A practice lesson for a pillow takes you step by step through the process. With 16-page pattern insert. 5 designs: Faded Rose Sampler, Black & White Quilt, Kaleidoscope Quilt, Leaves & Flowers Quilt, and Lassay Joy Sampler. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great learning experience
I bought this book in hopes of incorporating the technique into my quilts with standard blocks and applique.I have lots of ideas but haven't had time to make any yet.The book is very clear and easy to understand the process.I would recommend this book to beginners wanting to try a new technique and also to intermediate quilters for new twist in their quilts.

teach yourself to cut and fold quilting
THIS IS SUCH A FUN BOOK.DID TWO CLASSES AND EVERYONE LOVED IT. EVEN THE BEGINER QUILTERS FOUND IT EASY TO MAKE..THE USED BOOK CAME NEW. THANK YOU, HAD MENT TO BUY AT QUILT STORE BEFORE I LEFT,BUT GLAD I HAD TO GET IT ON LINE, SAVED $3.00. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the perfect guide for teaching kids the awesome art of quilting. Learn felt applique, mock binding, hand quilting, machine piecing, designing a quilt using a paper layout, tying a quilt, and more. Leaflet features 7 designs for kids 8-14 in mind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Basic Learning. . .
I began doing machine embroidery more than 20 years ago, before we had the computerized machines and certainly before the current crop of automatic embroidery machines were available.The secret to doing decent freehand embroidery, yes, on ANY machine, is to practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more.I am amazed when I show my work to those new in the interest that they expect to sit down one day and turn out some sort of masterpiece!This is an art form like any other, and it is not mastered in a day, or a year for that matter.We have beautiful examples of machine embroidery done in the 19th century on straight-stitch-only machines, and it can still be done.Personally, I seldom use more than the straight and zigzag stitches on my machines, some of which have decorative stitches by the dozens.This is an entirely different discipline than the new 'automatic' machines which will stitch your design for you.I have no interest in those.In the 70's and 80's there were many excellent books written on freehand embroidery by machine.The best is Robbie Fanning's "Complete Book of Machine Embroidery".You can still buy it used through Amazon's network.It's the best, and at the same time you might want to also order her "Complete Book of Machine Quilting".

I have owned many, many sewing machines, and believe me, you can indeed do machine embroidery on any machine that works!

Teach Yourself machine Embroidery: Easy Decorative Stitching
Delivery was slow, however, the book was in excellent condition.

Good source book
For the person that is transitioning from a mechanical to computerized sewing machine, this is a good source book.Clear instructions and diagrams.Wish there were more in color. Nice patterns and lots of projects to try and perfect.Would recommend.

This book doesn't deliver what the cover promises.
Proving yet again that you can't judge a book by its cover, this one promises "easy decorative stitching using ANY sewing machine."However, the examples on the cover required programmed stitches...which Idon't have on my machine...which is why I ordered this book in the firstplace.The book seems to provide a well-organized, clear, and thoroughexplanation of the more pictorial types of machine embroidery, but I washoping for some ideas about how to do the decorative stitches on the coveron my beloved but very basic machine. ... Read more

Product Description
RL: Grade:1Guided Reading Level:FIntervention Reading Level:10Word Count:48 ... Read more

Product Description
With detailed practical information and creative inspiration for a wide range of projects, this book should provide everything a complete beginner needs to know, and ideas and information which should increase the pleasure of those who already enjoy mosaics. The book details how to: master basic skills by following the simple step-by-step instructions; explore the history of the art of making mosaics; enhance your home with easy-to-follow projects from mats to mirrors and trays to tables; and create original projects and colour combinations inspired by designs from around the world. ... Read more

Product Description
Rediscover the elegance of traditional embroidery. This beautiful leaflet shows you all the basics on fabrics and fibers, stitches and finishing, and still gives lots of tips on how to make these simple components into heirloom-quality works of art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easy Lessons
Don't be fooled by the title of this book.Surprisingly, it's not just for the beginner in embroidery, but also for the experienced stitcher.While the first part of the book does explain how to embroider in clear, concise instructions, the projects are beautiful and easy. The designs are equally enchanting for the experienced stitcher who needs a quick, easy, but delightful project that looks professional.

Great book for beginners.
This is a great book for beginners & has a lot of nice patterns for some of us who aren't!

Perfect Introduction
I had been doing crosstitch for years and wanted to branch out into embroidery.I purchased this book and found a comprehensive introduction into the various stitches, and also complete project ideas that progressed from very simple to upper-intermediate skill levels.This is a wonderful book for the first-timer.It offers a well rounded introduction with a minimal investment in material.The projects are small enough to not be discouraging to beginners, but intricate enough to be a challenge.Highly recommended as a first book on the subject. ... Read more

Product Description
10.25 x 0.75 x 7.5 Inches; 136 pages; Clean and crisp spiral bound, glossy cover. Diagrams, color photos, charts. Nice ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Step by Step Workbook!
What a wonderful book! I'm still working my way through the lessons, but so far this woman takes you through the process starting with the most basic instructions and making no assumptions about what the reader may or may not know. None of this "quilt as desired" cop-outs! I recommend this to all who want to learn but may not have access to a teacher.

I love the Problem Solving sections!
First of all, I really need books that open and lie flat, with a plastic comb, like this one does. How else can you learn something when you have to keep putting the book down?!

When the author gives guidelines on choosing fabrics, that is giving the creator great design advice. She says not to use ginghams...find out why!

There aren't a lot of pretty pictures of finished quilts in here - she wants to give that freedom to the quilter. She emphasizes how to measure and cut, and how to make those teeny tiny little stitches of 10 per inch to do the actual quilting - which I think is at least half the beauty! She also is aware of possible problems and gives the solutions right off the bat, so you aren't left helpless.

The last 20 pages are stiff templates, on exactly the right kind of stiff cardstock you need to make patterns of the lovely quilts you have in mind. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description

Discover how your wardrobe (and your wallet) can reap what you sew

Even the easiest garment sewing patterns won't come together correctly if you don't have the skills to execute them. Teach Yourself VISUALLY Fashion Sewing is the go-to book for aspiring fashion sewers who learn faster by seeing and doing than by wading through tedious instruction books.

You'll get visual guidance on the specialized tools and skills you need to move beyond the basics to advance to garment sewing. Photo by photo and stitch by stitch, you'll learn how to make darts, pleats, and gathers; work with facings and underfacings; and so much more.

• Concise two-page lessons show you all the steps to a skill and are ideal for quick review
• Detailed color photos demonstrate each step
• Helpful tips provide additional guidance

Packed with step-by-step instructions and fun, innovative projects, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Fashion Sewing gives you the tools you need to create fashionable new pieces and the skills to repair and repurpose old ones. ... Read more

Product Description
Both beginners and veteran folders will love this instructive volume and its clear directions and crisp diagrams. Readers learn the basic folds, one at a time, for 27 simple models (a frog, star, piano, penguin, more), a dozen intermediate designs (a pig, kangaroo, camel, etc.), and five advanced models (impossible vase, deer, waterwheel, elephant, and bee). Perfect for classroom use.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Great Starting Point
I decided to learn a little origami for fun, and am glad I found this book.The book is divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced origami, with easy ones comprising half the book.Montroll introduces a fold or technique, and then follows up with a design or two using what was just covered.The diagrams are easy to follow, and a few tricker folds (e.g. petal fold) show intermediate steps to help visualization.About the only thing I did extra was pencil in page numbers besides the table of folds and bases for my own quick reference.This is the great thing about this book, it illustrates and names the techniques (e.g. minor miracle, blintz fold, squash fold, bird base, crimp fold, and so on) which lets me understand more complicated origami instructions (even though I might not be able to fold them just yet).After this book you too will be able to decipher more challenging projects, like ones from Lang.

The Perfect Beginner Book
I have several beginner to intermediate instructionals on origami. I haven't folded every model in any of them yet, but I have read through all of them and this one is absolutely the best of the bunch for the new-comer trying to get the basics.
This book does something I love a lot. Instead of having an introduction that teaches you all the basic folds and bases and then going into a chapter that features "easy" models that may or not use those folds/bases and throws them at you in random order, Montroll's book shows you a base, encourages you to practice that fold and even walks you through practicing it on some scrap paper and then shows you a model that you make using that base! And then you move onto the next base and repeat the process; practice walk-through and then a model made using that base.
If you read the instructions and fold every model you'll never suddenly come upon a supposedly "beginner" model that you have no clue how to fold because you've forgotten that one page from the intro.
Probably most importantly, Montroll's picks in this book are interesting to fold, even the ones I thought would be stupid and boring, like the Samurai helmet/hat and the table. I am primarily interested in animal models, so I originally planned to just skip anything in his book that wasn't an animal, but on a whim decided instead to follow his advice and fold everything in the book from page one on and I found that I had fun folding everything! The table was actually especially rewarding as it turns out since I made it from a larger sheet of paper and then was able to set the smaller Samurai helmet on top of it.
Even the simplest models, like the penguin which I had memorized after just one folding, are satisfying to fold over and over again.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a low-stress, user-friendly introduction to origami.

So helpful!
This book does a really great job demonstrating all the folds you will come across not only in Montroll's books but in any origami book. Then for each fold there is a project so you see how it is used in a typical figure. I never fully understood the double rabbit ear fold until I got this book.

Not only does it teach you all the folds, but there is a lot of really great projects to do. Every one I've done stands up on its own, even the birds.

John Montroll's origami books are my favorite- I prefer the more realistic looking results and love that there is never any cutting (for some reason that feels like cheating, plus it's nice to do something with only your hands, you know?).

Origami for first timers
I picked this book as my intro to origami. I can't be more pleased so far.

The book takes you through new models as it introduces you to new folds.Each new fold is used in a new model as well as new models incorporating already learned folds. Models get progressively more difficult, but the illustrations are clear and able to be followed with no struggle.

Standard origami notation for folds is used. Models are based on square paper, with differing color sides. I've been working through the models with larger size paper and found that works fine for the models so far.

Another positive is the reinforcing of some basic folds or starter folds.These folds are used in more complex origami models.

Rewarding introduction as well because the reader can immediately make something interesting with the earliest models.A handful of models in, the waterbomb base is given, and the walk through was spot on.

On a personal note, I've been able to share pictures of houses, boats, and more already. I feel confident to make several of the basic folds after just a short time.

Highly recommend this for beginners. Also, the price makes this an even better value.

A great origami guide
The illustrations are clear and easy to understand; hand this product (and a pack of origami paper) to a bright, interested 7-year-old and watch origami sprout all over your house. ... Read more

Product Description

You've probably coveted jewelry you've seen in artsy boutiques and fashion magazines or envied friends who have the perfect bling to accent everything. With this book, you'll learn to craft designs that are chic but inexpensive. With hundreds of detailed photos, this book covers tools and supplies, bead stringing and weaving, wire wrapping, and more. Terrific projects will get you started and inspire you to create your own jewelry and beadwork designs.

Concise two-page lessons show you all the steps to a skill and are ideal for quick review

• Each skill or technique is defined and described

• Detailed color photos demonstrate each step

• Step-by-step instructions accompany each photo

• Helpful tips provide additional guidance

Customer Reviews (65)

Good Information
This book is a great reference for making jewelry.The pictures are great.I would recommend it to anyone who wants to either start making jewelry or already know how and just wants additional information.

Jewelry Book
Great book, very helpful. I am a new crafter and found lots of "how to's".

The best of the two I bought.
Of two books I bought as a newbie I liked this one the best.It discussed all the materials one would need to undertake this on a serious way, right up front.The visuals are spectacular.However, the other book (Bead on a Wire) is great as well but just at a 4.85/5.00.I intend to use both.I'm happy that I have two great books. If you are new to this you can't go wrong here.

Frank A Snyder MD

jewelry making made easy
I have purchased numerous craft books over the years.This particular book is very easy to understand, with colorful illustrations that contribute to the reader's understanding.I would recommend it to anyone interested in crafting with beads!!!

My Review of my most recent order
I was pleased with the book on Visually Teaching Yourself. I have another one that I picked up at my craft store about a year or so ago titled "Visual Quick Tips Wire Jewelry" by Chris Franchetti Michaels. I truly enjoyed both of the books. The fact of the visuals being there to show exactly how to do things were very instrumental in correcting some mistakes I had been making. ... Read more

Product Description
Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking: Shaping, Veneering, Finishing (Bk. 2) ... Read more

Product Description

Socks are portable, fun to knit, and quick to complete—and they make great gifts. This step-by-step guide walks you through all the techniques used to knit beautiful socks—from buying yarn to working on double-pointed needles, from turning a heel to grafting a toe. It covers knitting socks top-down, toe-up, and flat, explains how to create various heels and toes, and gives you a dozen original patterns for everything from baby booties to knee socks. Whether you're new to knitting or just new to socks, you'll learn the skills needed for a lifetime of creative sock knitting.

Customer Reviews (20)

could be MORE visual
Overall, I rate this book as useful to the beginning SOCK knitter, but not to a beginning knitter. I've done maybe a dozen different knitting projects, including sweaters, but haven't done socks.

To be truthful, it was the colorful cover art and the words "teach yourself" in the title that caught my eye and made me pick this book up, because I didn't really believe the "visually" part of the title. Too often, I've worked from instruction books that had too few photos, irrelevant, non-instructive photos, or no photos at all of the really difficult parts of the process. This book, however, nearly lived up to it's promise. I was able to figure out how to knit my very first sock from the directions and illustrations in here.

Frustratingly, the book lacked photos of some of the more opaque directions, particularly the picking up of the stitches along the instep after turning the heel. I figured it out on my own, luckily, but there were several points in my sock-knitting adventure where I felt quite left to my own devices by this supposedly step-by-step book. However, kudos for the attempt. Thank goodness someone has finally cottoned on to the fact that some of us need to see it to learn it.

If you're familiar with what knitting should look like, you'll be able to sort out the bits where the book is visually unhelpful, but I wouldn't reccomend this to a novice knitter. Also, as several people have mentioned, this book suffers from the successful-series disease of sloppy editing; consequently, there are numerous pattern mistakes that would send a novice knitter off in completely the wrong direction.

Just what I was looking for
There are good pattern books and there are good teaching books and this is definitely a good teaching book.I had never learned to do socks on circular knitting needles until this book.The instructions were clear, the pictures were great and without even a snag, I was happily knitting on two circular needles within minutes. I can't vouch for the patterns because I really don't use patterns. I got a sock calculator chart out of a Vogue Sock knitting book and I just refer to it and make my patterns up as I go. But if you need pictures and good instructions, this is the book for you.

Photos too small !
I checked out this book from the local library and I'm glad I did.Although the "Tips" were great, my biggest complaint is that for a book that is supposed to teach Visulally, the photos are too small to be of help to learners of techniques illustrated.I read the reviews of the errata (none appear to be in the pattern I chose) but that made me a bit nervous as a new sock knitter (5 under my belt so far). I mainly checked this book out as I am attempting Toe Ups for the first time.Than god for YouTube tutorials! In combination with this book, I will succeed!

Teach Yourself Visually
I have come to one mistake Page 142 on the Turn Heel step 4 should read Row 4: SL1,p to 1st before the gap, p2tog, p1,turn. The p2tog is missing. But, when you go back to her first teaching you see that it is there. I have made the socks and they turn out prefect. That is just a oversite. The book is very clear. It was scary for me to try socks. This book is so simple that a first time knitter could handle any pattern in this book if you go to the learning section first, which was not a waste of time, for me. Plus, it is very easy to go back and find those parts you need as you go while knitting your socks. VERY good. I KNOW I couldn't make a sock that fits me without this book, ask me how I know? Tons of trying and failing. Yahoo, now I have a pattern for me that works. SO HAPPY!

book is FULL OF ERRORS
I am so glad that I had knitted a pair of socks before purchasing this book.Having done a pair or two, I wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly before teaching a class and recommending this book to the students.Doing the top down sock when I got to the heel section I knew that something was not right with the directions.I went to the publishers site and found the corrections.It is not just one or two errors.There are numerous errors for all the patterns.Very disappointing that this was not proofed before publishing.Can not recommend this book at all. ... Read more

Product Description
Every elementary teacher wants her students to develop organized, clear expository and narrative pieces with vivid verbs, sparkling specificity, and a mastery of basic writer's techniques.Writing Whizardry helps you take your students there with 60 mini-lessons that teach elaboration and the elements of the writing craft--the "tricks"of the writer's trade. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good writing support
Lots of great mini-lessons for teaching writing.I like the format of "non-example"/"example" to explicitly show students what you want from their writing.I'd recommend this to middle school language arts teachers.

6th grade la teacher
Whizard Whizardry is great for preraring mini lessons for any middle school writing class. The lessons are very teacher friendly and can be used and reused throughout the year to review writing craft. I would consider this book a must have for any writing teacher.

Writer's Craft Ideas
This is a great book for getting beginning writer's craft lesson ideas.A great help to writing teachers who are always looking for lesson ideas.

A Teachers Pet
I am a teacher in LAUSD and use this instead of some of the literacy programs we use.A very easy to use system.

Writing made earier!
This book is fabulous!!We just started "The Writer's Workshop" at our school.The 'Writing Whizardry' has helped me start and stay on track.It has an example lesson and extra resourse on the bottom of each page.If you're having difficulty finding fun ways to teach various writing activities, this is the book for you. ... Read more

Product Description
A step-by-step visual guide to off-loom bead weaving

This photo-intensive guide is a comprehensive resource for creating off-loom beadwork, from simple stitches that any beginner can do to more advanced techniques that you can work up to as you build your skills. Every page includes detailed color photos and diagrams that make it easy to follow along. You'll learn how to weave the peyote, ladder, brick, square, right angle weave, and herringbone stitches, as well as make beaded netting and create beaded clasps and other decorative details. Plus, you'll get patterns to make modern, stylish pieces, from necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to napkin rings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Beadwork
Absolutely the best book ever.I am an avid beader and instructor.I highly recommend this book for all beaders. Directions and photos are excellent.

Teach yourself visually. learning off-loom beading techniques
I love the Teach yourself visually series and this does not disappoint. clear photos and instructions.

Awesome Book
Enjoyed this book it is awesome. Great for anyone beginner to advanced.
Some times when you do not do a stitch that often its nice to review how to do it again

A Jewel of a Book
I am new to beading. I first purchased "Seed Bead Stitching, Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques" by Beth Stone Seed Bead Stitching: Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques, which is full of lovely projects and has very clear instructions. I absolutely love her book; but it made me realize that before I tackled the projects on her book (which at the time seemed daunting to me due to my lack of knowledge), I needed some basic instruction on beadwork. I am so thrilled that, after much searching, I purchased "Teach Yourself Visually, Beadwork". This book is very clear; not only does it offer step-by-step instructions on the basics with numerous color photographs and graphs which are very clear, but goes further into finishing techniques and beginner and intermediate projects. I am happy to report that after reading the first three chapters of this book, I just finished one of Beth Stone's projects--and even modified it a little to fit my taste!

I highly recommend this book. I know that I will not only finish reading the book (and practicing the stitches), but I will keep it in my library and will go back to it often for consultation. The book is divided by Chapters, which take you from the basic materials needed for beadwork to beginner and intermediate projects to practice what you learned. I found Chapter 2 particularly helpful and clear and have gone back to it frequently and have successfully applied the instructions. I recommend that you "Look Inside the Book" and check out the table of contents. It will give you an excellent idea of the clarity and scope of what this book has to offer. Great book.

MC

Excellent on the basics
This book is excellent for the beginner and for your library when wanting to learn a new stitch. It also has a lot of tips woven in that I've not seen anywhere else and they are very helpful. Buy the book. ... Read more