Customer Reviews

Embellish Chic

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This set of clothing embellishment guides from Taunton Press carefully and clearly explains how to use additions of beads, ribbons, and other trims to translate usual to unusual clothing. The tips on using applique, embroidery, and beading to enhance these garments blend step-by-step instructional photos with finished results and are inspirational and revealing.

Just received my copy today and really love the basic beading instructions. Many books don't provide detail how-tos and easy-to-follow beading illustrations, so I appreciate this book. A solid reference for those interested in learning embellishment techniques.

The author is very detail oriented and explains each technique well. However, there are no unique or inspiring examples. They are extremely common and plain. This book is definitely not for the artsy and creative person looking for that one new and inspiring method to express and create. I want to pack it up and ship it right back.

The title of this book says it all: EMBELLISH CHIC Although there are a couple of denim ideas, this book is not geared toward the jeans and T-shirt crowd; there are already plenty of those books on the market. EMBELLISH CHIC caters rather to the person who loves boutique clothing. Following the ideas/instructions in this informative book will result in beautiful and beautifully-finished clothing; I especially appreciate the author's attention to perfect detail. The very best use of this book, however, is not to slavishly copy the ideas presented, but to use them as a springboard for your own creativity. That is true Art.

When I received this book my first thought is that this book is the ultimate up-styling resource. Connie Long has a talent for taking clothing you already own and giving them a new CHIC runway look that will have everyone asking where you shop. Each project she redesigns with her stunning embellishments illustrates each step with stunning pictures and detailed instructions. For any of you that love updating your clothing, this book is a must have. Are you tired of everywhere Tees and plain-Jane togs? Want to update that favorite jacket? Connie Long's clever clothing embellishment ideas are the only prescription you'll need to wipe out fashion monotony, no matter what your skill level. Embellished clothing is in vogue, offering a solution to the same of mass-retail fashion. With tasteful additions of beads, ribbons, and other trims, you can give those boring, see-them-everywhere clothes a unique chic. Filled with step-by-step photos, this book explains everything from beading, appliqué, and embroidery to decorative use of zipper teeth and grommets. With its many enticing photos of smartly trimmed garments, Embellish Chic is sure to spark your imagination. Connie Long is the author of three other Taunton Press books: Easy Guide to Sewing Blouses, Easy Guide to Sewing Linings, and Sewing with Knits. She teaches at G Street Fabrics in Maryland and is a frequent contributor to Threads magazine. Her books are available here on Amazon if you would like to read other reviews or buy this book or any of her other publications.

Excellent reference book with specific details about techniques. Some of the examples are lovely, some a bit strange, but the point is to learn the techniques, and then apply the lessons to your own original ideas. I had no idea that one could put thin silk cord in the bobbin of a sewing machine -- just one of many things I learned. I checked many embellishment books out of the library. This was the best, and one of the few I'm actually purchasing. It's a keeper.

This is an excellent book for explaining many many techniques of the common and not so common variety. The descriptions and instructions are exceptionally well written. The pictures take you completely through each step leaving little room for error. The only word of warning I would give would be to those wanting wacky techniques that go out of fashion before anyone realizes they're in: this book isn't for you! It gives many wonderful ideas that will clearly inspire those that want to create something that will be stylish and wearable for longer than one fashion season. It's an excellent book for anyone's sewing library and I highly recommend it.