Customer Reviews

Fine Embellishment Techniques

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own many, many sewing books and hesitated to buy another that would teach the same old basics. This book DOES teach the basics--and, like all Taunton books, with clear directions and beautiful, helpful illustrations. However, then the author goes a step further and shows some extremely sophisticated looks that a sewer can get from using the techniques in unexpected ways--or by combining two techniques. (I can't wait to try the combination of cording and bobbin work.) This is not an intimidating book--and makes you feel that if you take your time, you can get good results even if you aren't a couture sewer. Every embellishment technique you can think of is in this book--and I'd label it a basic reference work. I'm keeping it close at hand in my sewing room, right next to "Fabric Savvy," "The Art of Fabric Collage," "Make It Your Own," and my Lois Ericson books.

I originally purchased this book for "eye candy", thinking it would only give me modern day examples of embellishment techniques I could apply to the medieval and fantasy costumes I design and sew.

I was mistaken. This is a resource guide of embellishment techniques. The (well done and many) photographs are a small part of what I have used from this book. I have learned the techniques for applying these embellishments and learned what sewing attachments and notions I can use in each case to make the task easier. This book has given me much advice on where best to use them and how.

I would recommend this book to anyone sewing fantasy or medieval costumes as the one book they should buy this year.

This book is full of wonderful ideas of how to add that extra zip to the clothes you make, or even pre-made clothes. The suggested designs are elegant, not craft-sy like most of the information and designs that are available on the subject.

I bought this book primarily for its section on passementrie but found a wealth of information on beading, bobbin embroidery and braiding. I noticed though that one of the braid samples, the 3-strand with a chevron pattern did not have illustrated or written instructions, which was disappointing as the traditional 3-strand weave, that we know through girl's pig tails, was documented in the book. Another disappointment was that the passementrie section had no pictures. Granted, Ms. Conlon's goal was to allow the reader to create their own designs but an example for a finished piece would have been helpful. It is a technique that's very hard to find material on and I thought this book would have filled that gap to an extent. Rouleau faggotting was a surprise treat and seems easy to recreate. The overall quality of the book is what I'd expect from Taunton press and worth buying. I just wish there was more 'eye candy'. This book could have easily been 200+ pages without tiring the reader with its lovely examples and well written instructions.

and possibly some good trim and beads or pretty buttons. This book is very good, illustrating all techniques with very nice drawings, and showing potential projects for different clothes, also with drawings and some photographs. The book is very comprehensive, covering pretty much anything you would want to do with your clothing. Directions are extremely clear, and she includes material lists, tips, and important things to know (especially if you are a beginning sewer) in separate colored boxes within the text. I found this book quite useful, but I think it might overwhelm someone who didn't have at least a little experience with sewing.

I bought this book without having the luck of breezing through it before I bought it. The book covers beadwork, threadwork, trims applique and bindings and pipings very thoroughly. The photos and drawings are excellent, and the explanation of decorative threads section was super. This book is a great resource for clothing embellishment.

While I don't share the author's design sensibilities, the technical information and supplier info was well worth the purchase of this book. I found lots of good information I could use regarding types of thread, beads, braids, etc. to use for projects, and learned some new (and useful!) sewing vocabulary words I didn't have before.

Wow! I was very surprised. The techniques are simple but very effective. The photos of finished products are classy looking, and not overdone. The colors are subdued. Less is definitely more. The diagrams are very clear. The advice and recommendations are excellent. I've already tried a few of the techniques with great success. Highly recommended if you want to add that extra little something to make your garments stand out, but not look gaudy.

This book is wonderful. If you want to create your own beautiful clothes from scratch, this is the book for you. She tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about beading, threadwork, trims, bindings and pipings, and applique. The possibilities are endless!!!

Beautiful edition. The book contains some interesting embellishments' ideas from vintage fashion, but on the whole it describes basic methods of embellishments and finishing garments, as bias binding, piping etc. There is interesting chapter about using bead work as garment trimming. I would say, it's a good guide for beginners in dressmaking.