| Altered Clothing features two-dozen step-by-step | | | | recommend at least a beginner's grasp of sewing: if |
| guides to transforming a blah article of clothing into an | | | | you don't like how the altered clothing looks in the |
| eye-catching piece. It also includes a survey of how | | | | "after" photo, you should be able to change a certain |
| and where to find inspiration for diy fashion projects. | | | | detail or two to make it look better. |
| The "blah" items are pretty universal, such as worn-out | | | | I would recommend this book to someone with a little |
| jeans, a stained white skirt, a poncho, a baggy hockey | | | | skill in sewing, looking for an easy way to spice up their |
| jacket, and so on. Even if you don't have the items in | | | | wardrobe. Kathleen Maggio is a good writer, and she's |
| question, seeing how to alter them makes interesting | | | | able to explain sewing in clear, precise language. |
| reading--and viewing, since there are plenty of | | | | Unfortunately, sewing is one of those disciplines where |
| diagrams for those who are more visual learners. | | | | a specialized vocabulary is essential, especially as you |
| I would not recommend this book for absolute | | | | increase in complexity. |
| beginners, however. Altered Clothing is easy to read | | | | If you're just starting out in sewing, and have already |
| and easy to follow, but in practice, it requires some | | | | made a couple of garments, I recommend reading this |
| knowledge of sewing, including using a machine, cutting | | | | book as an introduction to altering clothes to make |
| cloth, and so on. If you've taken one or two sewing | | | | them fit and look better. Even if you're already a very |
| classes, that ought to be enough--but I'd hesitate if you | | | | experiences seamstress or seamstor, the book will |
| didn't have at least that much experience. | | | | probably give you some ideas for how you can spice |
| Every project comes with a "level of skill" from one to | | | | up those clothes at the back of your closet, which you |
| five stars. Most of these patterns are two stars, and | | | | just can't bear to part with. |
| take between seven and twenty steps to go from the | | | | This article originally appeared, with pictures, in Enjoy |
| "before" picture to the "after picture." This is why I | | | | Your Style magazine. |