Good morning, Generation T timers! Just wanted to share a really lovely review by Mimi Guethe at HandmadeNews. Click through the link and leave a comment over there for a chance at winning a copy of the new book!
120 New Ways to Transform a T-Shirt: A Crafty Book Review
September 29, 2009 | By Mimi Guethe
The humble tee-shirt gets a fun and flirty makeover in Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt. Author Megan Nicolay offers quick and easy projects that can be made by refashioning the tee-shirts already in your closet. The book, which is a more wide-ranging follow up to the author’s previous book on the same subject, says, “A tee-shirt is a terrible thing to waste.”
The Projects
The author’s enthusiasm for her DIY subject is enjoyable to read, and the variety of uses she finds for this wardrobe staple are creative and fun.
With clear step by step instructions and illustrations, the book offers up a whopping 120 tutorials covering a wide range of uses, including date nights, home use, pets, kids, and more.
Sample projects include:
–Dresses
–Laptop sleeve
–Grocery tote
–Toddler jumper
–Rag doll
–Pet bed
–Halter top
–Laced glovelets
The Style
Repurposing, recycling, reusing clothes and other items around the house is a popular subject these days as consumers become more conscious of waste. Many books tackling “green” crafts can sometimes sacrifice form for function, but that’s not the case with the projects here. The design aesthetic is modern, youthful, and edgy, and Nicolay encourages even beginners or non-sewers with her “can do” attitude, going so far as to include tips and tricks for knotting and braiding and “faux sewing,” as well as a cheat sheet for basic stitches.
The amount of ground covered in the book is fairly substantial, with additional ideas included for embellishing, appliqué, and sizing. For those who are shy about starting out in transforming their clothes, Nicolay suggests strength in numbers by organizing a Tee Party, with the idea being that the camaraderie and feedback is helpful and fun. This chatty, conversational tone and sociable ideas peppered throughout the book provides just enough narrative, along with plenty of useful information and playful projects.
With just a pair of scissors and some needle and thread, Megan Nicolay proves how a creative eye can transform an object into something you like into something you LOVE.
Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt by Megan Nicolay
ISBN: 9-780761-154105
310 pages, softcover
Price: $15.95
color/b&w photographs, illustrations
Skill Level: Beginning – Mid Level
Usability: Very Good
Win a Copy of Generation T: Beyond Fashion!
Leave a comment describing your funniest sewing project and you may win a copy of Megan’s book!
You may enter as many times as you like by leaving separate comments, but be sure to leave your email as well so we can contact you. And don’t worry, spam isn’t fun, so we won’t be using your info for any other purpose.
Additional Resources:
Tee-shirt Projects with Megan Nicolay
If you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to make your own tee-shirt wonder, try an upcycled tee product featured in this article. It’s a great idea to support artisans who feature recycling and going green in their shops.
recycled chicken tee dress
salmon Spring Sprouts eco tee
Frog and Toad tote
Recommended Reading:
Printing By Hand: A Crafty Book Review
Vintage Baby Knits: A Crafty Book Review
Project Runway: Lessons for DIY Design
Photographs courtesy of Workman Publishing and the individual artisans.
Mimi Guethe is a writer, crafter, and former film publicist who lives with her husband and three cats in Los Angeles, CA. Her work has appeared in numerous publications across the country, including The Washington Post and Publishers Weekly magazine. She spends her days dreaming of living by the sea.
[ Posted on October 1st, 2009 ]
