Fashion Geek: Clothes Accessories Tech by diana eng (from project runway). North Light Books (March 17, 2009).
I am totally into the whole new tech savvy fashion thing that is going on these days. Combining science with sewing – totally cool. This book ‘fashion geek’ has some fun, nerdy and cool (is that an oxymoron?) sewing projects for your inner geek – or if you are not that tech savvy – a perfect way to learn or to get your tech nerd partner involved in your crafty pursuits.
Along with some sewing basics – there is a also an electrical basics section – including soldering, and where these two meet up – how to sew in LED lights and battery holders.
The projects have the usual break up of sections into accessories and clothing – but these are not your usual projects – rethinking the traditional. Sewing some felt flowers onto your earphone plugs, making a flower necklace that hides your zip drive. I love the LED necklace and the music hat featured on the cover – where the ears hide earphones and the tail hides the cord. I love the magnetized buttons that light up when they are buttoned up. And another headphone fashion accessory – the headphone hoodie.
As well as some obviously very cool projects – this book has some excellent pictorial instructions – its very clear and concise and explains the new technology really well. Great book for a wide audience.
The Hungry Scientist Handbook: Electric Birthday Cakes, Edible Origami, and Other DIY Projects for Techies, Tinkerers, and Foodies by Patrick Buckley and Lily Binns, published by Collins Living (September 23, 2008).
We are totally into food and science in this house. My 6 year old boys current obsession is science experiments and where else to do it but the kitchen – he performs experiments like the rubber chicken bone and the baking soda and vinegar volcano and the tea bag rocket.
Science and food is not new to us, with a foodie and a tech geek in the house, of course we were bound to make icecream using liquid nitrogen (cryogenic icecream), and I was excited to see this included in this book.
This terrific book is filled with fabulous and fun, kinky and geeky ideas. How about caramel underwear :: LED lollypops :: pumpkin pin hole camera :: modular pecan pie :: making beer, wine and bread (from scratch) :: edible origami :: a beer can stove, a marshmallow catapult and an outdoor roaster.
Obviously these are not children’s projects and safety equipment is advised, in fact the book comes with some serious warnings and disclaimers. The instructions are fun and understandable and clear, all the photos are black and white with diagrams where needed. This is a book about community, experimenting and enjoying life.
