Woodworking 101 for Women: How to Speak the Language, Buy the Tools & Build Fabulous Furniture from Start to Finish [Paperback]

Marilyn MacEwen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 2006

Nearly half of all new woodworkers are female—but few guides focus especially on their needs. Here’s one that does. Written by professional woodworker Marilyn MacEwen, it gives women the skills and confidence to enter this traditionally masculine preserve, from mastering complex techniques to handling advanced projects. In detail, MacEwen covers wood types and their characteristics, shows how to set up an efficient workshop, discusses and demystifies tools, explains how to read woodworking plans, and offers 16 practical and great-looking items to make, including a bed, chair, CD cabinet, and dining room table. Plus, there are invaluable tips on the ergonomics of working with wood with a woman’s physique, and how to deal with the macho culture of the lumberyard.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Well aware of how intimidating woodworking can be for most women, MacEwen, a veteran craftsperson, has created a guide for women that addresses with sensitivity the psycho-emotional fears women have about working with wood. From tools to materials to entering a realm dominated by men, the book teaches women to think like woodworkers. The projects are presented to build confidence as well as skills. And MacEwen's mantra, "Mistakes are just information," is repeated and reinforced throughout the book. Pieces like the low bench, designed for use in woodworking, give women experience using the tools and creating a large piece of furniture without the anxiety of mistakes ruining the finished piece. Women inspired by the female carpenters on such shows as Trading Spaces or While You Were Out will be excited to discover this straightforward guide to woodworking, furniture design, and building. Jennifer Palmer
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579906087
• ISBN-13: 978-1579906085
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,048,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If it's good enough for a woman...it could be even better for a man, January 24, 2007

By 

rick e "Simple Pleasures are the Best" (Southern CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woodworking 101 for Women: How to Speak the Language, Buy the Tools & Build Fabulous Furniture from Start to Finish (Paperback)

I'm a man and I'm getting into woodworking. I'm good with my hands and have built basic furniture pieces but never learned technical stuff. I've been reading magazines and looking for a good woodworking book. I came across this one by "accident". It was mis-shelved. Curiosity got me and I flipped through it. I was really impressed.
1. It's very clear. 2. It comes from good experience. 3. It's concise. 4. This lady has some creative touches in her furniture design. 5. It's no-nonsense construction. This is fine woodworking made simple. 6. It's more than 101...I'd say it's 101-401. 7. This book is better than several I have seen or purchased. It is a good book as a compliment to other books.
This is not your encyclopedia. It's not a large book with 20 projects. It's small with only a few.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sound too easy, December 2, 2007

By 

Robert A. Bushnell (Polson, MT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woodworking 101 for Women: How to Speak the Language, Buy the Tools & Build Fabulous Furniture from Start to Finish (Paperback)

My wife wanted this book, as she liked some of the designs. Furniture building is not for beginners! There are too many pitfalls to cover, and this book doesn't cover them. The author does start with a shop bench, but she calls for 2 x 4 spruce, which is not run of the mill.

The designs are excellent, but to call this Woodworking 101 is rather misleading. "Woodworking 305" would have been a better title. Being a fairly accomplished woodworker, I found some interesting comments.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners and advanced alike, August 22, 2007

By 

Crafty (Staten Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Woodworking 101 for Women: How to Speak the Language, Buy the Tools & Build Fabulous Furniture from Start to Finish (Paperback)

I bought this book for a friend who loves do-it-yourself projects and has some experience with woodworking. She found this to be a great resource, and has already applied some of what she learned about tools in particular. It's not just for women!