Media

Okay, they are my book publisher after all, but when Workman Publishing editorial assistant Liz Davis writes such a sweet blog post of her own Maker Faire coverage, I have to share! Here’s a pic of me and some of the “Camp Make” Workman volunteers (camp counselors?) in our matching “A T-shirt is a terrible thing to waste” uniforms while we waited on the 7 train platform after a long first day at the Faire! Though you can’t see the back, Avery used project #33 “Tying Game” as her inspiration, Liz is wearing the “T-Bird” halter top (project #47) and and Rae Ann is sporting a belted version of project #16 “Outer Lace,” all from Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt. (Me, I went with a hybrid of “Looney Tunic” and “Back in Action” (projects #15 and #101 in Generation T: Beyond Fashion).

What project would you do make sure that an “A T-shirt is a Terrible Thing to Waste” T-shirt didn’t go to waste?

Over at Apartment Therapy’s Re-Nest (motto: abundant design for green homes!), Tiffany Finley shared a roundup of five of her favorite T-shirt projects featured here on Generation-T.com! They are: Ruffle and Stuff‘s aprons, the Generation T: Beyond Fashion grocery tote, our spiderweb T-shirt (resurfacing just in time for Halloween!), the Brokenhearted tee from Generation T, and SupperClub‘s T-shirt neckties!

What are your favs?

In her coverage of sustainability at Maker Faire, Emily Gertz of Onearth.com wrote about composting, gardening, garbage reuse, and… Generation T! She writes: “Nicolay’s fun and creative T-shirt mods extend the life of one of the consumer economy’s most ubiquitous and disposable items.” Complete slideshow and mini-interview (okay, one quote) here!

Forgive the layered look — I was constantly switching up my outfits! (The base layer is a slashed up version of Looney Tunic, project #15, and the top layer is Back in Action, project #101, both from Generation T: Beyond Fashion. Though I don’t necessarily recommend wearing them this way, it could be interesting to layer two slashed T-shirts and weave the loops together in the Back in Action technique–who’s with me?)

For a preview of the awesomeness that happened this past weekend at World Maker Faire, check out this slideshow from Time Out NY photographer Eric Harvey Brown. You’ll see Diana Eng’s technology fashion show, the heaping pans of paella (oh-so-delicious), the yarn sculptures by Lion Brand, the life-size game of mousetrap, and… here’s photo #18, wherein I refashion a T-shirt (what else were you expecting?) into a tank top, Generation T-style!

As a reminder that the holidays are just around the corner — say what?! it’s a cool 94 degrees out here in New York City! — here’s a lovely review for Generation T: Beyond Fashion that recommends the book for, well, just about everyone on your gift list!

“If you are a DIY king or queen, this book would be a perfect how-to guide for creating unique and one-of-a-kind presents for the hip teenager, new baby, college nerd, or even grandparent on your Christmas list.  If you know a DIY-er who is looking to try something new or the wanna-be fashion designer, this is a great book to give as a gift.  It definitely belongs in the library of every green-living, repurposing, thrift-store treasure hunter.” —Cindi Rose, Examiner.com (San Francisco)

Pre-holiday shopping panic cured, even before it started! You’re very welcome. Now go off and enjoy the long Labor Day weekend!

Hey T-shirt fans! Check out the lovely review below and read to the end so you can click through for all the details on how to enter the 2-book Generation T giveaway at The Eco Chic.

Trash to Treasure Thursday with Generation T

Giveaway alert! Two lucky readers will win one of the Generation T books by Megan Nicolay – details at the end of this post.

As you know I’ve been better and better at actually completing eco-crafty projects each week for you. This week is the jackpot of all Trash to Treasure Thursdays with a collection of projects and a giveaway! I’ve been infatuated with finding ways to reuse or upcycle old t-shirts – I scour the blogosphere, YouTube, Etsy, and other crafty websites looking for innovative ways to use t-shirts. In one of my searches I came across Generation T and Megan Nicolay.

Who is Megan Nicolay? Much like myself Megan has had the crafty bug since she was a child – always looking for the next great project. We also share a common statement – “I could so do that!” My friends and family are always telling me – “You could do that!” when they see anything. Megan began her website www.Generation-T.com back in 2005 and by 2006 she published her first instructional book – “Generation T – 180 ways to transform a T-shirt.” In her first book she includes many punk inspired projects to transform that plain boring t-shirt into halter tops, bodices, skirts, leg warmers and more! My favorite is the Grand Finale – “Tying the Knot” – a wedding dress made from old t-shirts. I have a co-worker of mine who is getting married next year and this would be PERFECT for her – she’s a little bit of an eco-junkie like myself.

Megan’s second book – “Generation T – Beyond Fashion – 120 new ways to transform a T-shirt” – was published in 2009 and include projects for the home, kids, pets, and men! Having a tot running around the house my favorite chapter is Kid Rock and I can’t wait to make The Little Empress for my own little princess. There is literally a project for everything you could possibly need around the home.

While I have a list a mile long of projects I WANT to complete – here are pictures of projects I’ve already completed. I don’t follow directions well so many of them have been altered from Megan’s directions to fit my own style. That’s the great part of crafting – you are the designer – and you can decide what you like!

My husband’s old Little League T-Shirt

My husband’s old High School T-shirt

A collection of Counting Crows concert T-shirts

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Now head on over to The Eco Chic for details on how to enter the giveaway!

A nice review from Bjorn Nasett at Milwaukee Magazine last week–plus a bonus tutorial describing how he made a version of the Classic Punk tank top (otherwise known as project #14) from Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt. Full article below. My favorite part:  He saved $30 by doing it himself! How much have you saved lately by whipping out your trusty scissors, needle, and thread?

Teed Off:Recycling the ’80s.

by Bjorn Nasett | Friday 7/16/2010

As Milwaukee’s summer weather heats up, all of us at one point or another reach for a tank top to help us beat the heat and look cool, too. I’ve always liked the rock ‘n’ roll sleeveless look and usually wear them for summer events as well as everyday wear.

About a month ago, my dear gal pal Carol lent me her copy of Generation T: 108 ways to transform a T-shirt by Megan Nicolay. I was pleased that someone had done something so well-researched yet so simple. As I paged through the book, I found it jam-packed with illustrations, trivia about T-shirts and lots of ideas to help anyone access the recycled punk trend that has never really gone away.

I remember the famous image of John Lennon wearing a New York City T-shirt with the sleeves simply cut off, thereby making it a tank top. It was from the late ’70s. At the same time, I was a rebellious teenager living on my own in Madison during the infancy of the punk movement. Those fashion looks that we created during the rabidly do-it-yourself punk-rock scene would eventually segue into new wave in the ’80s and grunge in the ’90s. Young fashionistas rallied against what was supposed to be fashionable and, in doing so, created trends that in one way or another are still with us. As I tripped down memory lane while perusing the pages of Ms. Nicolay’s T-tome, I decided to do what we all did in the old days and create my own fashionable, deconstructed T-shirt. So for those of you with a Crafty McCrafterson bent, I am going to take you through my simple step-by-step transformation of a T-shirt I bought at Goodwill. What’s more hip than that?

First, I took my on-trend day-glow print “Mr. Popular” T-shirt that I purchased for $3.99, and I used the rotary cutter and plastic template to easily remove the sleeves, bottom hem and side seams close to where they were originally sewn. I cut my T-shirt first and then washed it so the fabric would take on more of a rolled edge where it had been cut.

I then re-sewed the side seam with a straight stitch on the outside of the T-shirt to give it a more fitted and deconstructed look. After that, I took a large needle and threaded some yellow yarn through it and just did a random stitch up the side seams, inserting the needle where I had just sewn the seam, and then sort of creating a piping where the excess fabric was by pulling the yarn a little tighter. Not only did it pick up the colors of the bright shirt, but it also added a little personal designer detail. It was fun, and I really liked the result!

A couple of years ago, I bought a similar shirt at a boutique in NYC’s Chelsea and paid around $35! (See picture of Buzzcocks T-shirt.) In the end, I saved $30 and made my own custom rock look.

I recently wore this shirt (are you surprised?) to a charity benefit (refashionforlife.com) with the white jeans I mentioned last week and some retro rubber bracelets and a fluorescent ring that I bought at Marc Jacobs in the West Village in February. Some graffiti-inspired Airwalks and my green sunglasses completed the flashback vibe. I must say, I felt good with what I was wearing and hip to the irony of it, too. The trick here is just simply enjoying and owning whatever you have on.

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I must confess I now have the creative bug. I have discovered the craft aisle with the tie-dye kits at the Walmart on Capitol and, of course, snatched up the last lavender, blue and pink one. They use cold water and include everything you need for around $11, not a bad investment for a few hours of creative play. I have seen tie-dye treatments used to great effect in many runway shows and fashion spreads continuing the blast from the past.

I’ll let you know how my garments turn out in a future blog. After all, isn’t the idea of any kind of fashion statement to say something about your past, present or future? Personally, I’m having a groovy time.

Next week, Vivienne Tam show at Aloft hotel hosted by Falcon.

P.S. I found a revised edition of Megan Nicolay’s book as well as a new edition titled Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt that was published in 2009. It’s available new and used on amazon.com.