Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.


stunning value, 27 Apr 2008
The quality of these two volumes is superb and I imagine that everyone with an interest in Fashion would find the content thoroughly engrossing and inspiring.

Complete lack of men's clothing., 15 Feb 2008
If, like me, you work in men's vintage fashion, and you have high hopes for this book, here's a warning: STEER CLEAR OF IT.

Apart from several photographs regarding men's 18th Century fashion in the first volume, there is NOTHING on men's fashion whatsoever. As for the second volume, zero! No pictures at all regarding men's fashion throughout the whole of the 20th Century. A serious omission, even more so if you deal in men's clothing from the 1920's onwards.

I'm so disappointed with this that I'm sending it back two hours after receiving it.

PS: If you're interest is strictly in women's clothing, this book has some stunning pictures.

Stunning, 13 Feb 2008
As a costume designer I am always on the lookout for really good reference books, this has to rate as one of the best. Two large fully illustrated volumes for a bargain price. The photographs are glorious showing wonderful detail and the costumes are beautifully mounted, particularly in volume one, giving a real feel of how they must have looked when worn. My only criticism would be that in some eras, particularly in the twentieth century, Male costume is underepresented, however this is nearly always the case in costume books. I definately recommend this book to any lover of fashion, costume or beautiful things...truly scrumptious.

Glossy 'Coffee Table' Perfection, 15 Aug 2007
Two big heavy volumes! If like me you love to see full pictures and close ups of costumes from times gone by these volumes fit the bill. The costumes are on manequins and are more alive as a result. You get more of a feel for the size of the wearer. Page 168 Volume 1 is particularly good with a male manequin in coat and breeches with a female manequin in a dress and spencer. The comparison between the height and size is very real.And these are no 'ordinary' clothes either. They are the creme de la creme - the elite of the history and fashion world. Dive in and be amazed. Not cheap - but an investment

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.


stunning value, 27 Apr 2008
The quality of these two volumes is superb and I imagine that everyone with an interest in Fashion would find the content thoroughly engrossing and inspiring.

Complete lack of men's clothing., 15 Feb 2008
If, like me, you work in men's vintage fashion, and you have high hopes for this book, here's a warning: STEER CLEAR OF IT.

Apart from several photographs regarding men's 18th Century fashion in the first volume, there is NOTHING on men's fashion whatsoever. As for the second volume, zero! No pictures at all regarding men's fashion throughout the whole of the 20th Century. A serious omission, even more so if you deal in men's clothing from the 1920's onwards.

I'm so disappointed with this that I'm sending it back two hours after receiving it.

PS: If you're interest is strictly in women's clothing, this book has some stunning pictures.

Stunning, 13 Feb 2008
As a costume designer I am always on the lookout for really good reference books, this has to rate as one of the best. Two large fully illustrated volumes for a bargain price. The photographs are glorious showing wonderful detail and the costumes are beautifully mounted, particularly in volume one, giving a real feel of how they must have looked when worn. My only criticism would be that in some eras, particularly in the twentieth century, Male costume is underepresented, however this is nearly always the case in costume books. I definately recommend this book to any lover of fashion, costume or beautiful things...truly scrumptious.

Glossy 'Coffee Table' Perfection, 15 Aug 2007
Two big heavy volumes! If like me you love to see full pictures and close ups of costumes from times gone by these volumes fit the bill. The costumes are on manequins and are more alive as a result. You get more of a feel for the size of the wearer. Page 168 Volume 1 is particularly good with a male manequin in coat and breeches with a female manequin in a dress and spencer. The comparison between the height and size is very real.And these are no 'ordinary' clothes either. They are the creme de la creme - the elite of the history and fashion world. Dive in and be amazed. Not cheap - but an investment

truly inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
Wow. This is one inspirational book. The cover is very intriguing and whets the appetite for a book that does not fail to deliver. This beautifully presented book shows you how to take an image from photocopy to painting and how to transfer it into textile art. Projects include books to bangles and much more besides.
The methods used are uncomplicated and are therefore suitable for beginners or experienced stitchers alike. No technical knowledge is necessary to follow the precise instructions. Having produced an image by whatever means, this book then shows you how to transform that image by hand or machine embroidery. I love the creativity of this book, Maggie Grey is a true guiding light and will boost your own imagination to produce exciting pieces of textile art. This is a fascinating side of stitching, fully explored in this book .
My own ideas on this have only just begun to form after I saw a textile artist printing on silk through an inkjet printer. My imagination was fired and this book presents me with the know-how to complete the projects running around in my head. This is a very comprehensive book, covering many techniques. I find it invaluable.

Another great book from Maggie, 26 Jul 2008
Just bought this - an excellent purchase. Full of inspiring examples, great ideas to try out, and hints and tips - all illustrated with clear colour photos. Recommended for anyone doing City & Guilds - especially the "Creative Computing into Textiles" course.

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.


stunning value, 27 Apr 2008
The quality of these two volumes is superb and I imagine that everyone with an interest in Fashion would find the content thoroughly engrossing and inspiring.

Complete lack of men's clothing., 15 Feb 2008
If, like me, you work in men's vintage fashion, and you have high hopes for this book, here's a warning: STEER CLEAR OF IT.

Apart from several photographs regarding men's 18th Century fashion in the first volume, there is NOTHING on men's fashion whatsoever. As for the second volume, zero! No pictures at all regarding men's fashion throughout the whole of the 20th Century. A serious omission, even more so if you deal in men's clothing from the 1920's onwards.

I'm so disappointed with this that I'm sending it back two hours after receiving it.

PS: If you're interest is strictly in women's clothing, this book has some stunning pictures.

Stunning, 13 Feb 2008
As a costume designer I am always on the lookout for really good reference books, this has to rate as one of the best. Two large fully illustrated volumes for a bargain price. The photographs are glorious showing wonderful detail and the costumes are beautifully mounted, particularly in volume one, giving a real feel of how they must have looked when worn. My only criticism would be that in some eras, particularly in the twentieth century, Male costume is underepresented, however this is nearly always the case in costume books. I definately recommend this book to any lover of fashion, costume or beautiful things...truly scrumptious.

Glossy 'Coffee Table' Perfection, 15 Aug 2007
Two big heavy volumes! If like me you love to see full pictures and close ups of costumes from times gone by these volumes fit the bill. The costumes are on manequins and are more alive as a result. You get more of a feel for the size of the wearer. Page 168 Volume 1 is particularly good with a male manequin in coat and breeches with a female manequin in a dress and spencer. The comparison between the height and size is very real.And these are no 'ordinary' clothes either. They are the creme de la creme - the elite of the history and fashion world. Dive in and be amazed. Not cheap - but an investment

truly inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
Wow. This is one inspirational book. The cover is very intriguing and whets the appetite for a book that does not fail to deliver. This beautifully presented book shows you how to take an image from photocopy to painting and how to transfer it into textile art. Projects include books to bangles and much more besides.
The methods used are uncomplicated and are therefore suitable for beginners or experienced stitchers alike. No technical knowledge is necessary to follow the precise instructions. Having produced an image by whatever means, this book then shows you how to transform that image by hand or machine embroidery. I love the creativity of this book, Maggie Grey is a true guiding light and will boost your own imagination to produce exciting pieces of textile art. This is a fascinating side of stitching, fully explored in this book .
My own ideas on this have only just begun to form after I saw a textile artist printing on silk through an inkjet printer. My imagination was fired and this book presents me with the know-how to complete the projects running around in my head. This is a very comprehensive book, covering many techniques. I find it invaluable.

Another great book from Maggie, 26 Jul 2008
Just bought this - an excellent purchase. Full of inspiring examples, great ideas to try out, and hints and tips - all illustrated with clear colour photos. Recommended for anyone doing City & Guilds - especially the "Creative Computing into Textiles" course.

Embroidery for the fearful beginner!, 04 Nov 2008
Doodle Stitching: Fresh and Fun Embroidery for Beginners

I have always wanted to embroider & have never been brave enough.I bought this book after reading the amazon reviews I was not disappointed it's fab! The stitches are presented clear & colourful. I loved that the projects are simple but also that they are inspiring, you really think I could do that, what's more I could add a bit of this and....I particularily liked the fireworks design on the halter top as it's a simple way to customise clothes & the cute softie owl & racoon. If you don't know where to begin by this you won't regret it!

Brilliant, 01 Sep 2008
I love this book. The stitches used are simple yet effective, and are well explained. The designs are wonderful. Fresh, vibrant, trendy, inovative yet timeless. The artist is talented and I look forward to any other offerings from her. Even though I am not fantastically gifted at embroidery (especially satin stitch), the projects are inspirational and yet remain undaunting. It's a traditional craft brought bang-up-to-date.

Like to stitch, 30 Jul 2008
This book is a refreshing change from traditional embroidery books. It's modern and inspiring. Ideal for beginners. It concentrates on about 18 basic stitches to create a range of designs. No counting or measuring. Lot's of clear and bright photographs and only minimum equipment required. I can't wait to get started.

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.


stunning value, 27 Apr 2008
The quality of these two volumes is superb and I imagine that everyone with an interest in Fashion would find the content thoroughly engrossing and inspiring.

Complete lack of men's clothing., 15 Feb 2008
If, like me, you work in men's vintage fashion, and you have high hopes for this book, here's a warning: STEER CLEAR OF IT.

Apart from several photographs regarding men's 18th Century fashion in the first volume, there is NOTHING on men's fashion whatsoever. As for the second volume, zero! No pictures at all regarding men's fashion throughout the whole of the 20th Century. A serious omission, even more so if you deal in men's clothing from the 1920's onwards.

I'm so disappointed with this that I'm sending it back two hours after receiving it.

PS: If you're interest is strictly in women's clothing, this book has some stunning pictures.

Stunning, 13 Feb 2008
As a costume designer I am always on the lookout for really good reference books, this has to rate as one of the best. Two large fully illustrated volumes for a bargain price. The photographs are glorious showing wonderful detail and the costumes are beautifully mounted, particularly in volume one, giving a real feel of how they must have looked when worn. My only criticism would be that in some eras, particularly in the twentieth century, Male costume is underepresented, however this is nearly always the case in costume books. I definately recommend this book to any lover of fashion, costume or beautiful things...truly scrumptious.

Glossy 'Coffee Table' Perfection, 15 Aug 2007
Two big heavy volumes! If like me you love to see full pictures and close ups of costumes from times gone by these volumes fit the bill. The costumes are on manequins and are more alive as a result. You get more of a feel for the size of the wearer. Page 168 Volume 1 is particularly good with a male manequin in coat and breeches with a female manequin in a dress and spencer. The comparison between the height and size is very real.And these are no 'ordinary' clothes either. They are the creme de la creme - the elite of the history and fashion world. Dive in and be amazed. Not cheap - but an investment

truly inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
Wow. This is one inspirational book. The cover is very intriguing and whets the appetite for a book that does not fail to deliver. This beautifully presented book shows you how to take an image from photocopy to painting and how to transfer it into textile art. Projects include books to bangles and much more besides.
The methods used are uncomplicated and are therefore suitable for beginners or experienced stitchers alike. No technical knowledge is necessary to follow the precise instructions. Having produced an image by whatever means, this book then shows you how to transform that image by hand or machine embroidery. I love the creativity of this book, Maggie Grey is a true guiding light and will boost your own imagination to produce exciting pieces of textile art. This is a fascinating side of stitching, fully explored in this book .
My own ideas on this have only just begun to form after I saw a textile artist printing on silk through an inkjet printer. My imagination was fired and this book presents me with the know-how to complete the projects running around in my head. This is a very comprehensive book, covering many techniques. I find it invaluable.

Another great book from Maggie, 26 Jul 2008
Just bought this - an excellent purchase. Full of inspiring examples, great ideas to try out, and hints and tips - all illustrated with clear colour photos. Recommended for anyone doing City & Guilds - especially the "Creative Computing into Textiles" course.

Embroidery for the fearful beginner!, 04 Nov 2008
Doodle Stitching: Fresh and Fun Embroidery for Beginners

I have always wanted to embroider & have never been brave enough.I bought this book after reading the amazon reviews I was not disappointed it's fab! The stitches are presented clear & colourful. I loved that the projects are simple but also that they are inspiring, you really think I could do that, what's more I could add a bit of this and....I particularily liked the fireworks design on the halter top as it's a simple way to customise clothes & the cute softie owl & racoon. If you don't know where to begin by this you won't regret it!

Brilliant, 01 Sep 2008
I love this book. The stitches used are simple yet effective, and are well explained. The designs are wonderful. Fresh, vibrant, trendy, inovative yet timeless. The artist is talented and I look forward to any other offerings from her. Even though I am not fantastically gifted at embroidery (especially satin stitch), the projects are inspirational and yet remain undaunting. It's a traditional craft brought bang-up-to-date.

Like to stitch, 30 Jul 2008
This book is a refreshing change from traditional embroidery books. It's modern and inspiring. Ideal for beginners. It concentrates on about 18 basic stitches to create a range of designs. No counting or measuring. Lot's of clear and bright photographs and only minimum equipment required. I can't wait to get started.

Some like it hot, 17 Nov 2008
This is one hot book. Here you will learn heat techniques used in fibre arts. Burn, layer, distort and shape to create unique works of art. Create textured embellishment using beads, sequins, grasses, petals or eye-boggling 3-dimensional vessels.
Kim Thittichai is mistress of the art of hot textiles and offers instructions and techniques using simple, easily obtainable household items, heat guns and soldering irons. A variety of materials are used including plastic, cellophane, felt, thermogauze, bark cloth, Bondaweb, Lutradur, Tyvek and Pelmet Vilene to create innovative work. Clear instructions are given for safe use of materials and equipment as care needs to be taken with some of the techniques described, for example to avoid fumes from melting plastic. Alongside Kim's own work is a selection of work from other textile artists. This practical book will help you to develop your own ideas if you already have a grounding in working with textiles and heat tools.
The book is divided into two parts: Tools and Techniques followed by Practice. Each section is comprehensive, looking at for example, what you can achieve with a heat gun. The large vessels made by Kim from painted Pelmet Vilene and Bondaweb are breathtaking. Another stunning vessel is shown by Sarah Hawkins, made by melting plastic bags. This book gives you the know-how but not step-by-step instructions to create similar works of art of your very own. There are many examples of work to offer inspiration. The book follows on from the techniques explored by Margaret Beal in 'Fusing Fabric' (see review) by introducing new materials with which to work. The book is lavishly illustrated and a must for any textile artist pursuing this technique.

A welcome addition to any textile artist's bookshelf., 21 Mar 2008
This is a comprehensive guide to using heat to alter your textile creations. The first section deals with tools and their safe use (essential in this context!) and the rest of the book suggests wonderful projects using all kinds of material, including a lot of recycled ones. The illustrations are an inspiration in themselves, and Kim's style is delightfully conversational as well as clear. Well worth it's cost.

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.


stunning value, 27 Apr 2008
The quality of these two volumes is superb and I imagine that everyone with an interest in Fashion would find the content thoroughly engrossing and inspiring.

Complete lack of men's clothing., 15 Feb 2008
If, like me, you work in men's vintage fashion, and you have high hopes for this book, here's a warning: STEER CLEAR OF IT.

Apart from several photographs regarding men's 18th Century fashion in the first volume, there is NOTHING on men's fashion whatsoever. As for the second volume, zero! No pictures at all regarding men's fashion throughout the whole of the 20th Century. A serious omission, even more so if you deal in men's clothing from the 1920's onwards.

I'm so disappointed with this that I'm sending it back two hours after receiving it.

PS: If you're interest is strictly in women's clothing, this book has some stunning pictures.

Stunning, 13 Feb 2008
As a costume designer I am always on the lookout for really good reference books, this has to rate as one of the best. Two large fully illustrated volumes for a bargain price. The photographs are glorious showing wonderful detail and the costumes are beautifully mounted, particularly in volume one, giving a real feel of how they must have looked when worn. My only criticism would be that in some eras, particularly in the twentieth century, Male costume is underepresented, however this is nearly always the case in costume books. I definately recommend this book to any lover of fashion, costume or beautiful things...truly scrumptious.

Glossy 'Coffee Table' Perfection, 15 Aug 2007
Two big heavy volumes! If like me you love to see full pictures and close ups of costumes from times gone by these volumes fit the bill. The costumes are on manequins and are more alive as a result. You get more of a feel for the size of the wearer. Page 168 Volume 1 is particularly good with a male manequin in coat and breeches with a female manequin in a dress and spencer. The comparison between the height and size is very real.And these are no 'ordinary' clothes either. They are the creme de la creme - the elite of the history and fashion world. Dive in and be amazed. Not cheap - but an investment

truly inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
Wow. This is one inspirational book. The cover is very intriguing and whets the appetite for a book that does not fail to deliver. This beautifully presented book shows you how to take an image from photocopy to painting and how to transfer it into textile art. Projects include books to bangles and much more besides.
The methods used are uncomplicated and are therefore suitable for beginners or experienced stitchers alike. No technical knowledge is necessary to follow the precise instructions. Having produced an image by whatever means, this book then shows you how to transform that image by hand or machine embroidery. I love the creativity of this book, Maggie Grey is a true guiding light and will boost your own imagination to produce exciting pieces of textile art. This is a fascinating side of stitching, fully explored in this book .
My own ideas on this have only just begun to form after I saw a textile artist printing on silk through an inkjet printer. My imagination was fired and this book presents me with the know-how to complete the projects running around in my head. This is a very comprehensive book, covering many techniques. I find it invaluable.

Another great book from Maggie, 26 Jul 2008
Just bought this - an excellent purchase. Full of inspiring examples, great ideas to try out, and hints and tips - all illustrated with clear colour photos. Recommended for anyone doing City & Guilds - especially the "Creative Computing into Textiles" course.

Embroidery for the fearful beginner!, 04 Nov 2008
Doodle Stitching: Fresh and Fun Embroidery for Beginners

I have always wanted to embroider & have never been brave enough.I bought this book after reading the amazon reviews I was not disappointed it's fab! The stitches are presented clear & colourful. I loved that the projects are simple but also that they are inspiring, you really think I could do that, what's more I could add a bit of this and....I particularily liked the fireworks design on the halter top as it's a simple way to customise clothes & the cute softie owl & racoon. If you don't know where to begin by this you won't regret it!

Brilliant, 01 Sep 2008
I love this book. The stitches used are simple yet effective, and are well explained. The designs are wonderful. Fresh, vibrant, trendy, inovative yet timeless. The artist is talented and I look forward to any other offerings from her. Even though I am not fantastically gifted at embroidery (especially satin stitch), the projects are inspirational and yet remain undaunting. It's a traditional craft brought bang-up-to-date.

Like to stitch, 30 Jul 2008
This book is a refreshing change from traditional embroidery books. It's modern and inspiring. Ideal for beginners. It concentrates on about 18 basic stitches to create a range of designs. No counting or measuring. Lot's of clear and bright photographs and only minimum equipment required. I can't wait to get started.

Some like it hot, 17 Nov 2008
This is one hot book. Here you will learn heat techniques used in fibre arts. Burn, layer, distort and shape to create unique works of art. Create textured embellishment using beads, sequins, grasses, petals or eye-boggling 3-dimensional vessels.
Kim Thittichai is mistress of the art of hot textiles and offers instructions and techniques using simple, easily obtainable household items, heat guns and soldering irons. A variety of materials are used including plastic, cellophane, felt, thermogauze, bark cloth, Bondaweb, Lutradur, Tyvek and Pelmet Vilene to create innovative work. Clear instructions are given for safe use of materials and equipment as care needs to be taken with some of the techniques described, for example to avoid fumes from melting plastic. Alongside Kim's own work is a selection of work from other textile artists. This practical book will help you to develop your own ideas if you already have a grounding in working with textiles and heat tools.
The book is divided into two parts: Tools and Techniques followed by Practice. Each section is comprehensive, looking at for example, what you can achieve with a heat gun. The large vessels made by Kim from painted Pelmet Vilene and Bondaweb are breathtaking. Another stunning vessel is shown by Sarah Hawkins, made by melting plastic bags. This book gives you the know-how but not step-by-step instructions to create similar works of art of your very own. There are many examples of work to offer inspiration. The book follows on from the techniques explored by Margaret Beal in 'Fusing Fabric' (see review) by introducing new materials with which to work. The book is lavishly illustrated and a must for any textile artist pursuing this technique.

A welcome addition to any textile artist's bookshelf., 21 Mar 2008
This is a comprehensive guide to using heat to alter your textile creations. The first section deals with tools and their safe use (essential in this context!) and the rest of the book suggests wonderful projects using all kinds of material, including a lot of recycled ones. The illustrations are an inspiration in themselves, and Kim's style is delightfully conversational as well as clear. Well worth it's cost.

great for any ability, 12 Dec 2006
I found the projects in this book as an art student suprising up to date and contemporary, i have also tried out a few with a lot of success. the method is totally origional (using a soldering iron to bond fabrics) and is reletively inexpensive. You need to buy felt and organza plus a special craft soldering iron for fabric but its well worth it. The book itself is easy to follow without being annoyingly or patronizingly simplistic- plus a serious emphasis on great photos and unique ways of embroidery and making things such as fibre art pieces and even lampshades.

I've learnt alot and always refer back to it. You can buy the right equippment direct from the author (UK based) if you email/ring her and they're very friendly. It also saves you alot of time on applique and you dont have to use fabric glue ever again.

A good buy., 15 Oct 2006
Well written, straight forward guide to using a new technique. Good illustrations, attractively presented. Covers the esentials of the equipment and fabrics. Includes suggestions for carry ideas forward and ways in which the ideas can be used.

Clear instructions and inspiring pictures, 20 Feb 2006
This book has the perfect combination of text and pictures. For each technique there are step by step instructions written in clear language then a large colourful picture illustrating what can be achieved with the technique, normally followed by a few smaller images of slightly more complicated work. It's a book that's great to look at but also really easy to read.

I love the way that you can create beautiful textiles using a soldering iron and synthetic fabrics and Margaret has inspired me to see how much I can get out of this technique.

Must buy a respirator!, 14 Sep 2005
This will be the most important piece of equipment you will need to enjoy the wonderful work you will be longing to do after browsing through this book.

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.


stunning value, 27 Apr 2008
The quality of these two volumes is superb and I imagine that everyone with an interest in Fashion would find the content thoroughly engrossing and inspiring.

Complete lack of men's clothing., 15 Feb 2008
If, like me, you work in men's vintage fashion, and you have high hopes for this book, here's a warning: STEER CLEAR OF IT.

Apart from several photographs regarding men's 18th Century fashion in the first volume, there is NOTHING on men's fashion whatsoever. As for the second volume, zero! No pictures at all regarding men's fashion throughout the whole of the 20th Century. A serious omission, even more so if you deal in men's clothing from the 1920's onwards.

I'm so disappointed with this that I'm sending it back two hours after receiving it.

PS: If you're interest is strictly in women's clothing, this book has some stunning pictures.

Stunning, 13 Feb 2008
As a costume designer I am always on the lookout for really good reference books, this has to rate as one of the best. Two large fully illustrated volumes for a bargain price. The photographs are glorious showing wonderful detail and the costumes are beautifully mounted, particularly in volume one, giving a real feel of how they must have looked when worn. My only criticism would be that in some eras, particularly in the twentieth century, Male costume is underepresented, however this is nearly always the case in costume books. I definately recommend this book to any lover of fashion, costume or beautiful things...truly scrumptious.

Glossy 'Coffee Table' Perfection, 15 Aug 2007
Two big heavy volumes! If like me you love to see full pictures and close ups of costumes from times gone by these volumes fit the bill. The costumes are on manequins and are more alive as a result. You get more of a feel for the size of the wearer. Page 168 Volume 1 is particularly good with a male manequin in coat and breeches with a female manequin in a dress and spencer. The comparison between the height and size is very real.And these are no 'ordinary' clothes either. They are the creme de la creme - the elite of the history and fashion world. Dive in and be amazed. Not cheap - but an investment

truly inspiring, 15 Nov 2008
Wow. This is one inspirational book. The cover is very intriguing and whets the appetite for a book that does not fail to deliver. This beautifully presented book shows you how to take an image from photocopy to painting and how to transfer it into textile art. Projects include books to bangles and much more besides.
The methods used are uncomplicated and are therefore suitable for beginners or experienced stitchers alike. No technical knowledge is necessary to follow the precise instructions. Having produced an image by whatever means, this book then shows you how to transform that image by hand or machine embroidery. I love the creativity of this book, Maggie Grey is a true guiding light and will boost your own imagination to produce exciting pieces of textile art. This is a fascinating side of stitching, fully explored in this book .
My own ideas on this have only just begun to form after I saw a textile artist printing on silk through an inkjet printer. My imagination was fired and this book presents me with the know-how to complete the projects running around in my head. This is a very comprehensive book, covering many techniques. I find it invaluable.

Another great book from Maggie, 26 Jul 2008
Just bought this - an excellent purchase. Full of inspiring examples, great ideas to try out, and hints and tips - all illustrated with clear colour photos. Recommended for anyone doing City & Guilds - especially the "Creative Computing into Textiles" course.

Embroidery for the fearful beginner!, 04 Nov 2008
Doodle Stitching: Fresh and Fun Embroidery for Beginners

I have always wanted to embroider & have never been brave enough.I bought this book after reading the amazon reviews I was not disappointed it's fab! The stitches are presented clear & colourful. I loved that the projects are simple but also that they are inspiring, you really think I could do that, what's more I could add a bit of this and....I particularily liked the fireworks design on the halter top as it's a simple way to customise clothes & the cute softie owl & racoon. If you don't know where to begin by this you won't regret it!

Brilliant, 01 Sep 2008
I love this book. The stitches used are simple yet effective, and are well explained. The designs are wonderful. Fresh, vibrant, trendy, inovative yet timeless. The artist is talented and I look forward to any other offerings from her. Even though I am not fantastically gifted at embroidery (especially satin stitch), the projects are inspirational and yet remain undaunting. It's a traditional craft brought bang-up-to-date.

Like to stitch, 30 Jul 2008
This book is a refreshing change from traditional embroidery books. It's modern and inspiring. Ideal for beginners. It concentrates on about 18 basic stitches to create a range of designs. No counting or measuring. Lot's of clear and bright photographs and only minimum equipment required. I can't wait to get started.

Some like it hot, 17 Nov 2008
This is one hot book. Here you will learn heat techniques used in fibre arts. Burn, layer, distort and shape to create unique works of art. Create textured embellishment using beads, sequins, grasses, petals or eye-boggling 3-dimensional vessels.
Kim Thittichai is mistress of the art of hot textiles and offers instructions and techniques using simple, easily obtainable household items, heat guns and soldering irons. A variety of materials are used including plastic, cellophane, felt, thermogauze, bark cloth, Bondaweb, Lutradur, Tyvek and Pelmet Vilene to create innovative work. Clear instructions are given for safe use of materials and equipment as care needs to be taken with some of the techniques described, for example to avoid fumes from melting plastic. Alongside Kim's own work is a selection of work from other textile artists. This practical book will help you to develop your own ideas if you already have a grounding in working with textiles and heat tools.
The book is divided into two parts: Tools and Techniques followed by Practice. Each section is comprehensive, looking at for example, what you can achieve with a heat gun. The large vessels made by Kim from painted Pelmet Vilene and Bondaweb are breathtaking. Another stunning vessel is shown by Sarah Hawkins, made by melting plastic bags. This book gives you the know-how but not step-by-step instructions to create similar works of art of your very own. There are many examples of work to offer inspiration. The book follows on from the techniques explored by Margaret Beal in 'Fusing Fabric' (see review) by introducing new materials with which to work. The book is lavishly illustrated and a must for any textile artist pursuing this technique.

A welcome addition to any textile artist's bookshelf., 21 Mar 2008
This is a comprehensive guide to using heat to alter your textile creations. The first section deals with tools and their safe use (essential in this context!) and the rest of the book suggests wonderful projects using all kinds of material, including a lot of recycled ones. The illustrations are an inspiration in themselves, and Kim's style is delightfully conversational as well as clear. Well worth it's cost.

great for any ability, 12 Dec 2006
I found the projects in this book as an art student suprising up to date and contemporary, i have also tried out a few with a lot of success. the method is totally origional (using a soldering iron to bond fabrics) and is reletively inexpensive. You need to buy felt and organza plus a special craft soldering iron for fabric but its well worth it. The book itself is easy to follow without being annoyingly or patronizingly simplistic- plus a serious emphasis on great photos and unique ways of embroidery and making things such as fibre art pieces and even lampshades.

I've learnt alot and always refer back to it. You can buy the right equippment direct from the author (UK based) if you email/ring her and they're very friendly. It also saves you alot of time on applique and you dont have to use fabric glue ever again.

A good buy., 15 Oct 2006
Well written, straight forward guide to using a new technique. Good illustrations, attractively presented. Covers the esentials of the equipment and fabrics. Includes suggestions for carry ideas forward and ways in which the ideas can be used.

Clear instructions and inspiring pictures, 20 Feb 2006
This book has the perfect combination of text and pictures. For each technique there are step by step instructions written in clear language then a large colourful picture illustrating what can be achieved with the technique, normally followed by a few smaller images of slightly more complicated work. It's a book that's great to look at but also really easy to read.

I love the way that you can create beautiful textiles using a soldering iron and synthetic fabrics and Margaret has inspired me to see how much I can get out of this technique.

Must buy a respirator!, 14 Sep 2005
This will be the most important piece of equipment you will need to enjoy the wonderful work you will be longing to do after browsing through this book.

dangerous book, 18 Apr 2008
A really day-dreaming, time-wasting book as it inspires your brain to go in new directions and you spend ages thinking what you could do with all your accumulated fabrics and threads. Or just sit and enjoy the beautiful photography. Not just another how-to book but a real bible of a book.

Inspirational about says it!, 26 Oct 2007
Inspirational about says it about this book. The work shown in the fabulous photographs is so far removed from the 'projects' in most books on embroidery that it changes the way you see. Visual starting points, fabrics, threads and stitches are all part of the inspiration, as Tellier-Loumagne plays with ways of bringing what we see around us alive through embroidery very very broadly conceived. The book is very clearly structured, gives good advice about how to achieve effects like those shown, but is far from a how-to manual. I can imagine that as I become familiar with the images, I will find myself doing things like them, but never exactly the same---and the book is likely to develop habits of opening at my favourite pages, that I've had open for me to spot each time I go past. Buy, keep and treasure!
jeuxdesprit

Perfection!, 10 Aug 2008
If you love fashion and the history of fashion then this is the book for you. I truly wish I could go back in time to wear these dresses back then as everyone looked so glamorous!!!!

Simply superb, 14 Jan 2008
I was given this for Xmas and it kept me enthralled for many hours. I am a designer myself and aspire to the standards of Haute Couture so it was truly a joy to have all the detail and personal stories brought to life. As with all V&A publications, the illustrations are of superb quality and the narrative engaging and well-written. I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in Fashion.

not read yet!, 23 Nov 2007
i have not yet read the book but am ordering it, as the sxhibition was simply marvellous and i highly recommend for all of those interested in fashion and fashion history, or for admirers of haute couture or simply beautiful items to make a stop at the V&A while in London!It's worth it's money and not unaffordable either! (i am 19)

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply GREAT, 18 Oct 2008
I must confess I bought it only attracted by the price (at that time, almost half price) with no positive expections. When I received it, I letterally divoured it!
Great quilts, using jelly rools, but it also provides table conversions to other cuts of fabrics and quilt measurements,
It's spuring me to sew my first double-size bed quilt!

Lovely jelly rolls..., 20 Aug 2008
I just love jelly rolls, they look delicious without undoing them, so imagine how I felt unrolling my first one, and then horror at what I was going to do with it, actually I had bought 2 identical rolls. So with this book in one hand, and stroking my fabric with the other I launched into the book, and I chose a quilt to make. The instructions are very easy to follow, and the diagrams are a breeze to understand. So my first quilt is underway, thank you ladies for a fabulous book and instant inspriation!

Jelly Rolls Review, 02 Aug 2008
This is a fabulous book with plenty of ideas and alternatives using some wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to get stuck in with some of the ideas.

Lovely inspiring designs, 10 Jul 2008
I'm new to quilting but experienced at sewing. I love the fabrics you can buy from Moda in jelly rolls. ......So bought this book
No stuffy designs, inspiring photos although some instructions need reading a few times to understand (if you are new to quilting). Very little basic info on making up the "top" into a quilt.

Jeiiy Roll Quilt Fever. By Pam And Nicky Lintott, 24 May 2008
Superb book, Good for beginners or experienced Quilters. Well written with everything explained fully and diagrams leaving nothing to guess work.Plenty of choice with 17 projects and very exciting designs for the Jelly Rolls that are the rage at the moment.


stunning value, 27 Apr 2008
The quality of these two volumes is superb an