Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt
by Megan Nicolay
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Description
Make it yours. This inspirational guide with DIY attitude has everything you need to know about the world's great T-shirt: how to cut it, sew it, deconstruct it, reconstruct it, and best of all, transform it. Features more than 100 projects (plus 200 variations) for customized tees, tank tops, tube tops, T-skirts-even handbags, a patchwork blanket, iPod cozies, leg warmers, and more. Not a DIY expert? Not to worry. More than one third of the projects are no sew, meaning anyone who can wield show more a pair of scissors can put a personal stamp on her wardrobe. But the sewing basics are here too: backstitch and whipstitch, gather and ruche, appliqué, and drawstrings. And the mission statement for Generation T: Ask not what your T-shirt can do for you, ask what you can do for your T-shirt. And then Do-It-Yourself! Let's get a few things straight. Getting crafty with Generation T does not mean adding glitter to every accessory. It does not mean "BeDazzling" everything from your calculator to your toothbrush or affixing pre-tied bows to your blazer. No adhesives (that includes hot glue guns). No puffy paint. You need scissors, needle and thread, safety pins, and sheer moxie. Generation T is all-inclusive-if you wear T-shirts, you're part of it. If you own a pair of scissors, you're already equipped to make one-third of the projects in this book. The others that do require a needle and thread can be made entirely by hand, no sewing machine needed-though some projects will go a lot faster if you use one. But before you slash, read this chapter. "Tee Off!" is your reference, it includes the materials and the basic stitches and sewing techniques you'll need to make all the projects in the book. Refer back to it whenever you hit the proverbial snag or need a quick refresher course. Finding Inspiration Beyond the 108 projects and 175 variations offered here, you can find inspiration for DIY fashion everywhere. From an item on a store hanger, a friend's closet, or the outfit of a complete stranger walking down the street (just don't shadow the person for more than a block). Grab a piece of paper, a napkin, a receipt-whatever's handy-and sketch it out to try later at home. If you see something you like in a magazine or catalog, tear out the picture and copy the design. Chances are you can make it-or something better. Observe the world around you. I keep my sketch pad handy and scribble down design notes about outfits I see people wearing on the subway platform, on the crosswalk, at an outdoor café. At a punk rock show I snapped pictures of fans backstage. Some of my designs come into my head in very abstract ways-a shape inspires me here, a color catches my eye there, and then the two meet. Let yourself be inspired by your surroundings. I was sitting in Washington Square Park one summer afternoon, eating my lunch and sketching pictures of the arch under construction. Several of those sketches, combined with some from my daily street fashion observations, inspired the Cover Girl halter top design in Chapter 4. The lesson here is: Keep your eyes peeled, and your sketch pad handy. Gathering Supplies Each project in Generation T is written like a recipe, starting with a list of ingredients ( materials and supplies) and followed by the steps needed to create it. Basic ingredients include a T-shirt (bare minimum), scissors (almost always), needle and thread, straight pins, chalk, and a ruler. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
My much-loved copy of this book is annotated with scribbles and drawings of my own throughout. If you're a DIY-er who's interested in messing around with T-shirts, this book is where you need to start. There are others who have written similar books, but this one was the first, and is much better.
Love the patterns in here! If you're into recycling this is definitely a fun book to read. The instructions are -- mostly -- easy to read. There were one or two where her written instructions had me scratching my head and going "Uh?" The projects come out nice, though, and they're as much fun to make as to wear. The difficulty level I would say is beginner (no sew) to intermediate (i.e. shirring).
Great book- tried a few of the projects, and I was really happy with how they came out. Mrs. Z and I might start a club that revolves around this book and the sequel. :)
This book has such great, EASY ideas for transforming a t-shirt. Several of my old beloved shirts have new lives.
Finally, something to do with all those t-shirts in your closet that you won't throw away for sentimental reasons but won't wear either! Most of these designs are very wearable. And this is great inspiration for all you DIY-ers out there!
I read this book over and over again for inspiration for sewing clothes. It's probably one of the many reasons why sewing is so much fun to me! :D
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- Nonfiction, Home & Garden, General Nonfiction, Art & Design
- DDC/MDS
- 646.404 — Applied science & technology Home economics & family management Sewing, Grooming, Life Skills Clothing and accessories construction Clothing for specific kinds of people Women's Clothing
- LCC
- TT550 .N54 — Technology Handicrafts. Arts and crafts Handicrafts. Arts and crafts Clothing manufacture. Dressmaking. Tailoring
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