Signature Styles: 20 Stitchers Craft Their Look Paperback – Bargain Price, May 3, 2011

It was good to read about these ladies' journeys and what inspires them. I love knowing a little bit more about their personal styles and what they love. There are some really fantastic pointers given and lots of advice that I will be implementing. I do wish some of the projects were a little more wearable and a little less "crafty" but I am going to give some of them a try. Good read!

Very colourful book. Was a bit disappointed with the content but after reading it from cover to cover and then checking out all the websites mentioned, I gained more from it. Projects inside were okey and gave food for thought. If I had seen a copy in the shops proberbly would not have brought it, however is a good reference book for the websites.

I love to learn stories about what inspires other designers and this book is a great one to do that. The projects are inspiring along with each story. It is a great read.

Love this book. It inspires me greatly and the women in it. They are masters of design and I look up to their entrepreneurship. Thank you ladies you have changed my life.

I love this book. Great ideas from several different designers.

While physically I have difficulty doing the sewing and crafts that I would like to do, but I love to find inspiration and find out what inspires others as to what they create. This book features 22 stitchers (two reviews had two women in each review) showing their workrooms, stories about what inspired them, their websites, their can't do without items, stories of what and who inspires them and a step by step photo illustrated project from each of them. Granted not all make things I would get into or that trips my trigger, but there are some projects shown that I would like to make like the wristlet purse.While I read this book, I was impacted by how many of these women were inspired by both their mothers and grandmothers, both in the crafts they made and the type of clothing they wore. As someone that moved often and rarely lived near a grandparent I felt a sense of loss that I never had an opportunity to relate to my grandmothers that way or even with my mother. While my mom sewed it was mostly necessary garments in inexpensive fabrics and even when I took up sewing myself, she wasn't one for teaching me on best practices. I didn't know till much later that she didn't real know those things herself and I have had to help teach her some points to sewing that she hadn't know. i guess this is why I enjoy books like this even when they don't relate directly to what I make. I like knowing what inspires and places to look for inspiration for myself.I highly recommend this book for those who can read it with an open mind knowing that not everyone or even anyone in the book will speak to them, but if you honestly look for inspiration in the book you will find it, even just seeing some of the color combos used to decorate or in projects.

`But when truly confident people, who are secure in their image and identity, walk into the room, it's entrancing.' This quote from Megan Hunt, p89, pretty much sums up the 22 woman you meet in this book.While all profiled are crafty in some way or another, there is a good diversity of body shapes, backgrounds and styles represented. Broken up into 20 sections you get to understand a little about the development and elements of each of the women's personal style.The photography in this book is excellent. There are many artfully taken full length photos of the women (in a few different outfits) as well as views of their stylish, crafty homes and interesting details and nicknacks. The editor Jenny Doh has packed in the information and images. It is short on white space, long on information and inspiration.I have never put too much time into thinking about my day to day clothing style. Sure I dress up if there is an event to go to or someone new to meet, but that is not so much `personal style' as following a set fashion. So how much better to make an effort to wear something interesting, something that expresses `me' even if I am just going grocery shopping or being at home with my kids? Through these woman Doh has delivered lots of doable ideas for me to add unique touches, unusual color pairings and interesting fabrics to my wardrobe regardless of what I am doing. (e.g. outfits that mix decades, Megan Nicolay p104; limiting signature pieces, Bari J. Ackerman, p68; using upholstery fabric in clothing, Sandy Stone, p114 and tons more).To top it off there is `how to' section after each profile showing you how to make a piece that expresses the individual style. The projects are on the whole expressive, cute and seem like they could be done in an afternoon, even if you are not too experienced. All of the crafts - e.g. ruffled headband, tote, wrist purse, upcycled sweater, altered t-shirt, knitted belt, scarf, bracelet, necklace and more - are sewing projects.

Signature Styles by Jenny Doh is another in the collections of do-it-yourself crafts for would-be seamstresses and designers. This one features twenty different stitchers who specialize in their own unique design looks which they create by re-creating from items they buy or have on hand. The ideas are terrific: from unique shoes to sweaters, belts, rose pins, and much more. I love this book! Lots of great ideas for almost no cost and very innovative styles. Learn how to re-invent older clothes into stylish new looks, easily and cheaply.