Book spines: Get some Gold metallic thread and use on your spines for both color and dimension. Just measure and snip to fit, then run a thin coat of Elmer's down one side, it'll dry clear - my favorite two words after elastic waistband. Those gel type pens can be used to make wee dots or other accent shaped.

Molly Cromwell

Basic Bed Making Instructions: You can use 1/2" ceiling tile cut into two 6 x 4 inch rectangles for a nice-sized 'box spring' on which to place a 1/2" foam mattress.  This makes the bed a size that looks 'right' in a miniature setting - it is not quite as large as a regular full size bed, and not quite as small as a twin size. Put a 6 x 4 piece of poster board under the foam to stabilize the mattress while you put on the sheet, etc., then glue to the ceiling tile box springs after putting a coat of gesso on the 'springs' and then dressing it with dust ruffle, if you're using this style.  Headboards can be made of anything basswood, Gator board (the DENSE- inside core board from art supply shops), metal, wicker, etc.   Posts are tricky you notch 1/4" into the box spring end corners to support the post and then glue and pin in place with a gold straight pin.   Use the headboard to support the head-end posts. Choose fabric that easily crushes and holds the wrinkles with as little nylon, polyesters, or other man-made fiber in it as possible.   Use a QUICK-DRYING tacky WHITE water-soluble clear- drying glue (Aileen makes one as well as a generic version) for fast fabric holding.

There have been several articles on 'bed making' over the years - but I think that Judee Williamson's book, Judee's Beds, shows the 'cream of the crop' for canopied designs.   Unfortunately, the book is a little short on 'hold-your-hand' instructions -- but with a little common sense, you can figure it out.   Many bed makers now use the 'extra-crisp' type of Magic Sizing (a type of spray starch) found in the grocery store - or a matte finish clear acrylic spray (I like Plaid's Patricia Nimoc's) to hold fabrics exactly where you want them to be.   You'll have to make some 'trial and error' samples before committing these skills to the 'real thing' - unless you have someone to help guide you 'in person'. Start with a 1/4" graph paper drawing of the actual size bed and how you want it to appear - then figure out the construction details.   Much easier on paper than once you have started gluing!    Make a balsa or illustration board mockup before you commit to really fine wood or fabric - using cotton muslin.   Use good quality fabric-like paper towel to act as pseudo-fabric in designing specifics for a bed.

Linda Gale

Mini quilting: Dover publications- http://www.doverpublications.com has a book by Janet Wickell called 'Easy to Make Dollhouse Quilts'. It includes quilting basics as well as a number of patterns. Mine was $3.95.

Martha Simpson

Mini quilting: Try going to http://www.geocities.com/miniaturequilters/index.html This is the home page for a group who have a list on yahoo, they have archives and links to get you started.

Jacquie Hall

Mini quilting: there is a magazine called "Miniature Quilts" or "Miniature Quilting." Not all of the patterns are as small as dollhouse size, but some are. They offer a range of levels of expertise.   I've bought it in Joann's Fabrics, but they also have a website. http://www.quilttownusa.com/Chitra/mq.htm

Rosemary in Cleveland

Mini quilting: I use the book Easy to Make Dollhouse Quilts by Janet Wickell ISBN 0-486-40291-6 published by Dover. The book contains full instructions for foundation piecing, which basically means sewing tiny bits of fabric face down to a foundation (usually stitch and tear Vilene). Once sewn down, you fold them back to reveal the right side, then sew another bit face down on top of that, fold the second piece over, sew the third face down, fold it back, etc. Recently I have tried doing this on the machine - I found it easier to do the whole thing by hand - but that's just me. Makes a good project for in front of the TV.

I would offer two bits of warning - always use bigger bits than you really need, it makes them easier to handle -AND- either pin or tack down the bit you are going to sew. This slight interruption in the sewing process means you will really focus on what you are doing, and you will make far fewer mistakes. And if you knew the world of pain and agony behind that 'fewer mistakes' comment. It took me a while to grasp the principle of foundation piecing – hopefully you'll grab it faster. But once you get the idea, you'll be away.

There is also a magazine, bi- monthly, named 'Miniature Quilts' published by Kalmbach. These are not intended for dollhouses but can be shrunk down on a scanner and used for minis - great magazine, bursting with ideas. Enjoy!

Helen from York, England

Books on Victorian Era: I have collected several books on the Victorian era. The ones worth mentioning are:

Victorian Splendor by Allison Kyle Leopold: Excellent photos of interiors, fairly good description as to how Victorians lived. Focused on Victorian revival, recreating this style in modern interiors.

Painted Ladies Revisited by Elizabeth Pomada & Michael Larsen: Excellent photos of exteriors, helpful to distinguish Edwardian, Eastlake, Queen Anne, etc. styles.

Hints on Household Taste by Charles Eastlake: A few sketches only. Helpful to understand the Eastlake movement (however furniture manufacturers did not interpret his ideas correctly, so I have read). I actually wanted this book to scan the cover, scale it down it Photoshop and make a mini book of it to put it in the dollhouse. Unfortunately, the cover is not the original design!

Kathy from Tustin

Quilting Book: The complete Miniature Quilt Book is available from http://www.hampsteadhousebooks.com Go to crafts and it's on page 1. Only $7.99 Cdn. Some very simple ones. Also has patterns for beds, baby cots, bedding, and mattresses.

Maureen in St. Albert AB Cda

Model theatres: There are two interesting books on this subject, one is "Theatre models in paper and card" by Robert Burgess.This is a publication of the Guild of Master Craftsmen published in 1999 in softcover, This is a marvellous book, and if I had time I would make all of the projects. (fortunately I don't) the ISBN is 1 86108 110 3. The other is one that I bought second hand. I am sure it isout of print now but you might find it in at your local library. It is "The history of the English Toy Theatre" by George Speaight published by Studio Vista , London, England, in 1946. ISBN 289 79616 4 This is more of a history of the craft and from this book I found out that the term "penny plain, twopence coloured " has its origin at the turn of the century when the pastime of making toy theatres was at it its height. People would buy sheets of pictures of music hall performers of the day to put into their dioramas and of course, they were a penny for plain sheets and twopence for coloured ones. Anyone who is interested in the history or construction of toy theatres would love this book. I hope this information is helpful to others who are fascinated by theatre models, as I am.

Doris Tie

Historical hat patterns: Just returned a fascinating book to the library. It is called "From The Neck Up", by Denise Dreher, published in 1981 by Madhatter Press. It teaches full size hat construction but also has 60 patterns for headwear ranging in time from Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman, through medieval to mid 20th century berets. It even has the baseball cap that someone was looking for a while back, plus ones like a mortar board, skullcap, bishop's mitre and witch's hat. The patterns are all drafted on a grid so should be easy to re-scale. It's in my local library, so is accessible by inter-library loan.

Wendy in Clinton, NJ

Dolls' House Details: Over 500: I have this book: "Dolls' House Details: Over 500 Craft Projects in 1/12 Scale". (The author is Kath Dalmeny and it is published by David & Charles.) I really enjoyed it and pull it out from time to time for ideas. It has a wide range of minis with great directions and color photos. Plus you can see all the minis in a scene and that spurs even more ideas. Definitely worth the cost!

Linda in GA

Dolls' House Details: The blurb on the dust cover says, in part: "...no house becomes a home until all the finishing touches have been added. [this book] shows how to create these embellishments ... using inexpensive materials and basic craft skills."
Most of the finished items look very professional, although they're made of odds and ends. There are chapters on Toys and games, In the kitchen, Leisure activities, and six more. It gives templates for everything, and is very thorough. Difficulty rating goes from very easy to quite complex, the explanations are clear, and there are lots of
illustrations.

Kay in Ottawa, Canada

Dolls' House Details: I have got the book Dolls House details by Kath Dalmeny "Over 500 projects in 1/12th scale. It is a good book and very useful. I got mine from a Craft Book Club, I used to belong to.

Karen B in wet and windy Cornwall.

Article Index: How did I find this information so fast? Well, I bought the "E-Z Search Index to How-To Projects" by Sylvia Hansen. This is one of the handiest books I have ever bought. Sylvia prints an index to all the miniature magazines ever printed and you can buy just the ones you want, for the magazines you have. I just LOVE mine, no more searching for hours for projects you KNOW you have seen somewhere, just go to the index. Her email is: sylhansen@cs.com.

Patty Adamson

Magazine Indexes: I posted a while back regarding magazine indexes. I recommended Sylvia Hansen, 12 Scott Drive North, Broomfield, Colorado, 80020. Phone: (303) 404-0054. Email: Sylhansen@cs.com. She has E-Z Search covering all the miniature magazines. With 25 years plus of miniature magazines, it's the only way I can find what I want. I highly recommend them.

Ruth Grass Valley, CA

Dollhouse Projects Magazine: Projects is available on my web site. http://www.dollhouse-miniatures.com It is published by EMF in England. They have an address of http://www.dolltedemf.com

Tom & Kari

Business Books and Website: Someone mentioned Homemade Money by Barbara Brabec. Her books are THE best resources on selling crafts and pricing your work, etc. She has written Homemade Money, Creative Cash, Handmade for Profit, The Craft Business Answerbook, and Make It Profitable. You can find info on Barbara and her books at http://www.barbarabrabec.com/

These books are in most libraries. In the US you should be able to request them through an Interlibrary Loan. They are worth the time and trouble to search them out!

Dona Vaughn

Victorian House Style: I bought 'Victorian House Style' to help me with my dollshouse. I have found it very useful, although obviously I cannot compare it with the others on your list. It has six chapters:
1 The Plan and the Facade
2 Hallways, Stairs, Landings and Bedrooms
3 Living Rooms
4 Kitchens and Bathrooms
5 Interior Details
6 The Victorian Garden
Since it is obviously designed to help people renovating big size Victorian houses, it has colour photos as examples on every second double page. The pages in between have Victorian-style B/W drawing; many seem to be from catalogues. The text is easy to read and although the focus is heavily on England it also mentions the US and Australia. I hope this is of some help.

Maryam Al Musafri

Fringing carpets: Janet Granger's book has very clear instructions for fringing stitch, Even I managed to do it right! Miniature Needlepoint Carpets by Janet Granger ISBN 1 86108 023 9
It has lovely patterns too.

Betsie

1920s-1930s Decorating: I am trying to catch up on my readings and decided to respond, at this late date, to your question. I purchased a book called "Decorate A Dolls House" from Amazon.com. Their code was P-3-B75G169, author, Michael Morse. Excellent book. You will get more bang for your buck with this one. It covers the time frame from 1630 to the present day. Included are lots of tips, explanations and details on each room, and color photos.

Cora