DIY thrift flip Sewing techniques for transforming old clothes into fun, wearable fashions

Upcycling thrifted clothes looks so easy on social media when creators like Yang show off their dramatic before-and-afters. In this meticulous guide, she walks would-be flippers through the skills and tools necessary to make stylish attire from frumpy, faded, and otherwise unfashionable finds. Yang explains the basics that are useful for any sewing project, thrifted or not, like identifying different fabric types (using characteristics and examples), cutting on the straight of grain versus on the bias, and learning the most essential tools and how to use them. The text also explains techniques like adding sleeves, modifying sizes and shapes with gussets, darts, gathers, and hems, and more. The second half of the book shows how a crafter might use these skills in a variety of projects, starting with simple jersey modifications, moving into more complex outfits like refashioned pants and dresses, and culminating, like any good fashion line, with a full wedding dress. Readers will need some confidence to sail through some blasé instructions like "mark a new bodice shape to fit you," but QR codes that link to video tutorials will help. Overall, this is a thorough guide that will be useful in makerspaces and public and school library collections.

The lovely debut from Coolirpa blogger Yang shows how to customize secondhand clothing with creative alterations. A thorough overview of sewing basics explains the applications for various stitches ("Baste stitching is used to temporarily hold layers of fabric together," while backstitching secures the end of a seam) and needle types (stretch needles work best with elastic fabrics like swimwear and spandex, while denim needles are well suited for thick fabrics). Yang encourages readers to shop "with no goal in mind" so that a clothing item, or even curtain panels or pillowcases, might spark inspiration. The creative projects range in difficulty, with the easiest consisting of cutting slits into the sleeves of a bodycon dress and embroidering flowers to cover up imperfections on a sweater. Standouts include a tiered skirt made from curtains, jeans transformed into cargo shorts, and a romper created out of a maxi skirt. Even novice sewers will be able to follow the straightforward primer on basic sewing techniques, which covers how to perform such alterations as adding cap sleeves or inseam pockets. Yang's handy and inventive guidance is an excellent source of inspiration for eco-conscious sewers. (May)