Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista Reviews

• Cut Rate

  
  By ADYZOSTF9LZLD on 2006-09-19
  The writing and instruction was both simplistic, but it is a fun concept and I love the DYI attitude behind it. The problem is in the execution.
  
  Photos in a book like this are very important. Several of the example photo's showcased shoddy work with hanging thread left uncut and poorly executed work. What could people who decided to showcase such shoddy workmanship have to teach?
  
  
  

• Cute if you're 25 and into rummage sale vintage

  
  By A928HCGAQTU6X on 2006-10-20
  This is definately for beginning or very basic seamstresses. If you like the thrift store-chic look (and I am talking thrift store- old 80's stuff and granny shoes) this is great. If you like a little more sophistication and style, probably not your best option.
  
  

• it rawks

  
  By A2OG83SEU9HL6D on 2007-07-11
  This is a fun and inspiring book. I noticed that some of the other reviewers thought it was too simplistic. It is true that it focuses on some of the most basic sewing techniques, including handsewing, and how you can take a minimum amount of tools and create fabulous outfits. It is for would-be sewer who is intimidated by the notions, patterns, and fabrics in the fabric store, but would love to get started on some quick, creative projects using what s/he already has. Being the daughter of an amazing seamstress/designer, I have always been ashamed that I can't sew. Most patterns assume some level of knowledge and involve complicated diagrams. This book however got me jumpstarted and now I am doing all sorts of projects.
  
  The first part of the book focuses on technique and some people may not use this. However, I found the hand-sewing information very useful. With the advent of machines, I never learned to handsew. I wish there had been information on sergers, since I just bought one, but it was probably considered too advanced.
  
  The rest of the book involves modifying clothing you already have, such as making a t-shirt fit better, changing a pair of jeans into a skirt, or converting a tee into a tube top or a messenger bag. Many of the ideas can be done in under an hour and it is great to find a use for all those baggy t-shirts I had acquired. This book is in fact very GREEN in that it encourages re-use and recycling of existing clothing, rather than buying new fabric! It's also encourages creativity - break away from those patterns and make something new - or take something off the rack and modify it! I really like the idea behind this book.
  
  Some of the ideas I have seen before, in a similar sewing manual from the 1960s/70s, which was also geared towards young people. Of course, fashions have changed and this book is more punk rock than hippie. So I think it serves a market, the young new sewer, and this market needs to be developed if sewing is to survive as an artform.
  
  
  

• Lame projects for faux-hipsters

  
  By AC5H24T7RQV4R on 2007-01-09
  While I applaud the intended message of this book (modify your current clothing and thrift-store finds to better represent your personal style), the majority of the projects suggested here are just bad. Really, really bad. This book merits its one star based on the directions for expanding a shrunken t-shirt (which will come in handy for extending the utility of the many no-longer-fashionable teeny-tiny t-shirts I've purchased over the past 5-10 years). Actually, I feel a star could be deducted from the rating due to the abysmal pillow-case dress project, for an overall rating of zero stars, but I'm feeling charitable...
  In short: promising concept. Rotten execution.
  
  

• For Complete Beginners only

  
  By A2EAZ5GA52HXZD on 2007-02-21
  I really wanted so much to like this book, but I was pretty disappointed. I had expected something much more advanced. This book is for complete beginners with not a creative bone in their body who need to be told to sew buttons back onto their pants instead of just throwing them away. Maybe it was meant for a much younger audience (I'm 30) or people with no experience in the DIY world.
  
  I love the concept! I am looking forward to the next work from the authors and hope it will be more technically skilled.
  
  
• Neither here nor there.
  By A2M32GRCUDC4P5 on 2006-09-09
  This book is written for those interested in sewing, but who have never before even made an attempt at it. This book actually describes in detail how to thread a hand needle, using language that is simple and easy to understand. You might think that this would make a perfect gift for your crafty 10-year-old sister or daughter, but think again. This book seems to be written with a child's intellect in mind, while making references to very adult topics, such as: drinking alcohol, looking sexy during pregnancy, and live-in boyfriends. Most people over the age of 15 with a reasonable IQ would find this book mind-numbingly boring, while the adult references make it inappropriate for a child.
  
  
• Hideous
  By A2NDFQOWEYMZ9K on 2006-09-20
  The ideas here have been done many times before and reminded me of the things I made in Jr. High before I knew better. If you're going to take the time to make something, wouldn't you prefer it if people were surprised when you tell them "I made this"? If you make the items in this book, trust me, they'll know it's "home made", and not in a good way.
  
  A much better choice would be Sew U by Built by Wendy. She's a working designer who gives you her insight into how things are made and walks you through the process of making clothes you'll actually want to wear outside the house.
  
  
• BEYOND DISAPPOINTING
  By A37QISBGZMKEWI on 2007-05-23
  THIS BOOK IS BASICALLY USELESS. I BUY SEWING BOOKS FOR A TEENS SEWING CLASS THAT I TEACH. MOST BOOKS REALLY HELP THE STUDENTS FIND PROJECTS THAT THEY WOULD ENJOY MAKING AND THIS BOOK HAD THINGS THAT WERE SO SIMPLE AND NOT IN THE LEAST BIT CHALLENGING. AS A PERSON WHO ENJOYS DIY PROJECTS I THOUGHT THERE WOULD HAVE AT LEAST BEEN OE PROJECT IN THE BOOK THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE BEFORE, BUT NO. THE TIE CUFFS HAVE BEEN ON D.I.Y. NETWORKS STYLICIOUS AND I OWN SEVERAL REDESIGN BOOKS THAT ARE BETTER LIKE GENERATION T, 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special. AND THERE WERE ONLY A FEW PROJECTS IN THE BOOK.
  
  THE ONLY WAY I COULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK IS IF YOU'VE NEVER SEWN A DAY IN YOUR LIFE AND FOUND THIS BOOK ON THE SALES RACK AT THE LOCAL BOOKSTORE FOR LESS THAN $5. WHICH IS SAD BECAUSE I'VE RENTED TIME AT THE STITCH LOUNGE AND IT'S A REALLY NICE SPACE. I JUST WISHED THEY WOULD HAVE USED SOME OF THE PROJECTS FROM THEIR CLASSES LIKE THE GARMENTS AND HANDBAGS. THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THE BOOK STAND OUT FROM THE MANY URBAN SEWING BOOKS OUT TODAY.
  
  
  
  
  
• Sew Much Fun
  By A15QHLG5C0OZOV on 2006-10-23
  Reconstruction seems to be all the rage lately among fashionistas and celebrities alike. Recently, a major fashion magazine ran a profile on a certain fashion muse as she went on a shopping spree in a very fashionable city; along the way, she took some of her mom's old shirts to a tailor to have them made into dresses. To some, this idea of "taking something old and making it modern" might be a brand new concept. But to the two Melissas and a Hope this is nothing new-- in fact, they've been doing it for years. And after reading "Sew Subversive" you'll be doing it too.
  
  Reading this book is like hanging out with your girlfriends for a sewing lesson--fabulous girlfriends who have an eye for style that goes beyond cookie-cutter "mall-fashions." The projects are fun, the directions are easy to follow and the technical terms have been revamped for a more modern seamster, i.e. talking about the "business side" and "party side" of fabric.
  
  And the projects ... this definitely isn't your mom's sewing book. From fashioning tube tops from old t-shirts, leg warmers from old sweaters and dresses from pillow cases, there are a lot of creative ideas in here. There are even some projects that are as simple as adding a few pin-tucks to a skirt or adding some ribbon piping to a pair of jeans.
  
  Don't leave the reconstruction to the celebrities and fashionistas! Grab this book and see for yourself what you can come up with. Good luck.
  
  
  
• Loved It Sew Much
  By A3R2XZ7IWB5ZIY on 2006-09-11
  A great resource for the self-taught seamstress. The perfect 21st-century take on a rewarding set of throwback skills. (It was getting embarassing to keep calling my mom about the bobbin every time, I'm so relieved I'm not the only one...) The writing style is totally hip, conversational and FUN to read. Plus, it's full of inspirational ideas that are cheap and easy.
  
  Finally, some fashionable transformations for the pile of unwearable sweaters I made during my knitting craze.
  
  
• trailer trash clothing design
  By ARH759KFKJPWG on 2006-10-19
  I have to say, I was looking forward to a book full of ideas on how to recycle and reuse textiles into fun, fashionable new creations. Well, maybe the basic sewing instructions are helpful, honistly I didn't read them. I went straight for the projects and boy was I horribly disappointed! They all look tacky, sloppily made with unfinished edges and threads hanging out everywhere. As said by another reviewer, I'm not sure these would be the women I would want teaching me how to sew! And as for the project ideas themselves, nothing new or innovative in their ideas. In my opinion, just tacky, shoddy projects that most folks would be embarassed to wear. This book is going back.
  
  
• eh.... not impressed...
  By A2373IFSUHOG8J on 2007-07-12
  I was excited to see this new DIY sewing book in the new books section of the library, as I'd been eying it on-line for awile. However I was really disappointed with this book after reading it. Sew Subversive offers the beginning sewer (and I do mean complete beginner) and "Fashionista" somewhat practical advice at the beginning of the book on a number of topics including, choosing a sewing machine and how to thread it, hand-sewing, understanding fabrics, reading a pattern, organizing supplies and other nitty gritty. Much of this information is supplied in an easy to understand and well laid out format. The bright color photography and fun casual conversational tone will put the nervous beginner at ease. However the second half of the book where the patterns begin are where I have to give really low reviews. First off the patterns are horrendous! I'm all for hip, cool, trendy clothes, but most of the outfits are un-wearable and really poorly designed. Close up's of most of the clothes revealed terribly poor sewing, I don't think this was just for design sake either. I mean there is punk and then there is junk. I don't think even the coolest hipster could pull some of these things off. The workmanship was the worst, threads hanging, jagged edges on garments that should have been smooth and all around poor sewing. Soo....I have to say..I'm not impressed. I think the book could possibly be worth a look at for some of the helpful sewing hints in the front, but there are better beginner sewing books out there.. I dunno...if you can already sew you might be able to take some of the patterns and ideas and fine tune them a bit, but overall, for me this book was a dud.
  
  
• Sewing for the Inner Riot Grrrl
  By A34KB9DTGFZHM6 on 2006-09-10
  This book is great for sewing newbies and old-school stitchers. Newbies will find the basics in language that appeals to twenty-first century D.I.Y'ers. Old schoolers looking for that nudge to get them thinking outside of the box will be ready to take the plunge after they thumb through this engaging book.
  
  The projects are enviro-friendly, encouraging the recycling of old concert tees and bed linens to create eye-catching urban wear. I've already used it to help me load the bobbin since I always forget how to do that. Now I'm ready to find a t-shirt from my closet to turn into a tote. This is a very inspiring addition to my craft book collection.
  
  
• The Hip Hop of Sewing Books
  By ACIEUL6G9ED6C on 2006-10-05
  What a great book! We got this a few weeks ago and are absolutely LOVING it! People who are comparing it to Sew U aren't really getting it. Nothing against them or that book (because hey, we bought that one too!), but these books are about totally different concepts.
  
  The awesome thing to us about Sew Subversive is the idea of taking clothing meant for other things and turning it in to something completely unique and new, like when you make legwarmers out of an old sweater. We've always loved when bands cover songs, taking someone else's raw material and turning it in to their own unique piece, or when great hip hop producers take a riff from an old song and turn it into a new song...that postmodern idea of taking bits and pieces of creative things and molding them into something else entirely, creating something completely new but as or more creative than the original. It can even make a cool statement about the original while being totally new and different.
  
  That's why we're jazzed about the book and eager to put our stamp on some of the suggested projects!
  
  
• Fun, no pressure learning
  By AZQ613PAMJ3QC on 2006-10-06
  Great book! The authors definately accomplish their goal of helping us "find our own fashion". While they aren't delivering "haute couture" (i.e., boring!) they do have tons of quick, easy projects that give the inner artist immediate gratification. As this book is geared at teens/young adults the casual format makes a very user friendly impact. The projects purposefully target economical supplies that most anybody has around the house (good for moms and dads!) Good introductory tool for the beginner.
  
  
  
• Beginner's Book
  By A3STGRUARD2J4C on 2007-04-02
  I found this book through Taunton Press who reputably published books and magazines on the finer skills of sewing. I am very glad that I borrowed Sew Subversive from my local library before purchasing it! As the other reviews state, the main topics cover re-vamping your thrift store find. On the brighter side, the first third of the book covers the basic sewing skills such as tension for a sewing machine and a couple of hand stithes. Overall, I would recomend this book as a gift for an adolescent teen who would like to learn a bit about sewing.
  
  
• Lame
  By A2878ZRR9SRKVB on 2008-03-31
  I am an avid crafter, taught to sew by my mother. I am now 30 with almost 2 decades of sewing behind me. I checked this book out of the local library, hoping to scope out some fun, fast projects. What I found was a book of horribly lame ideas and even worse craftsmanship. Do yourself a favor and skip this book.
  
  If your a beginner, save your dough and invest in sewing classes.
  
  
• Thoughtful, linear layout with creative content
  By A2BFFWTJX33ELI on 2006-09-10
  This book starts off softly, gently easing the reader into the land of DIY. If you don't know your bobbin from a bobble-head you'll be amazed how much you learn in just a few pages. The pace feels comfortable and by the time you get to the projects section you will be armed with the knowledge to take them on. And it doesn't hurt that the projects are creative and cute too!
  
  
• If you are an uncreative person then, this book may be for you
  By A1KUWS6GWZ81VN on 2007-02-20
  I found the book to be a little immature and lacking anything new I haven't thought about doing or have already done the projects listed.
  
  
• Disappointed at first...
  By A3HCF9RUK1B6I3 on 2007-06-29
  I'll admit it, I was very excited to get this book (being from the Bay Area an all). At first I was disappointed cause it started out as a crash course in sewing, I have been sewing for 10 yrs so I skipped all of it. Even the projects in here did not seem that spectacular. HOwever the more I looked at the projects and re thought my wardrobe, I got excited cause their ideas spawned more ideas and personalized the projects. I have actaully made a few of the projects in there, not their way, but I would have never even tried some of those things (that turned out super cute btw). Yes I am 27 with an ecclectic style, so the book does speak my language.
  
  
• How-to directions for maximum fun!
  By A14OJS0VWMOSWO on 2006-11-07
  There are plenty of books covering 'how to sew' - but few covering how to individualize fashion in the process. SEW SUBVERSIVE: DOWN & DIRTY DIY FOR THE FABULOUS FASHIONISTA covers how to transform clothing to make them unique and personal - and some projects don't even require sewing! From revamping old clothes to adding life and personality to thrift store finds, color photos accompany how-to directions for maximum fun!
  
  Diane C. Donovan
  California Bookwatch
  
  
• Unleash Your Sewing Creativity and Style!
  By A1Y7W5VW3MIJ5 on 2006-11-21
  The Sew Subversive Book (just [...] on Amazon) is a must have for your craft bookshelf. Authors and Crafters Hope Meng, Melissa Rannels, and Melissa Alvarado own the cool sewing studio and workshop, Stitch Lounge in San Francisco. These three stylish ladies are known for their sewing expertise and funky style. In this book, they show you how to refashion anything old you have in your closet, into something new that's wearable and fun. You'll not only have the basics of sewing down, you'll learn the tips, tricks, and style basics that will give you the foundation for more creative sewing. From setting up your sewing station to creative storage tips, you'll get the skinny on all the tools of the trade. Learn how to refashion a t-shirt, ruffle up a skirt, detail up a boring pair of pants, and cut up old sweaters into just about anything. One of the major lessons I learned from this book is to not be afraid to use my scissors or make mistakes. Go for it and have fun with it. Sometimes, it's those little mistakes that will give you the unique look you never knew was there. Sew Subversive will enhance your sewing creativity and allow you to be your own DIY fashionista.
  
  Review from [...]
  
  
• Perfect for a beginner: fun and helpful. Might be too funky for some though.
  By A21UYU5Q80GO73 on 2007-08-14
  As a novice, I appreciate all of the basic info at the beginning of the book. I also like the authors' fun, hip, "hey girlfriend" tone. Each project includes a time estimate, and many projects provide instructions for handstitching as well as machine-sewing. Would I cut off the sleeves from a sweater to make leg warmers or turn vintage ties into cuffs and collars? Probably not. But I will try turning a sweatshirt into a tote and definitely "un-taperfy" some pants by adding a triangle of fabric for flair (and yes, flare too). This book is fun and helpful for novices, and its projects encourage personal creativity and new ways of thinking about clothing.
  
  
• Sew-Fab-O
  By A2M5HH9CQI59BV on 2006-12-18
  Love this book, wow these women know how to be creative. I especially love the Un- Taperfy Your Pants idea. This book is super for someone who wants to sew but dosn't want to get in to the whole pattern thing! Re-use and recycle, I love it!!
  
  
• Cute but basic.
  By A29C3X12BMCWC6 on 2006-12-28
  This book has some cute ideas, but nothing that interesting design-wise. I think its biggest strength is its large front section on getting acquainted with your sewing machine and various techniques and materials. It's very accessible for a beginner who's intrigued but shy about getting started with making his/her own clothes, and the projects are really easy.
  
  
• Great book for those who love to sew
  By A2JOXMQC075LE7 on 2007-03-29
  This book is just the best! It is easy to read and well laid out. If this book doesn't get your creative juices flowing, you have got none!
  
  
• Not for me.
  By A32O4C5OS4QMPG on 2007-07-03
  I bought this because I thought it was show me how to make neat stuff. It did, but it was mainly out of t-shirts and how to cut them up and sew them back together. I wasn't impressed.
  
  It'd be great for a teenager, or a rebellious college student, but I'm not that flamboyant or brave to cut up my old Pink Floyd shirt and make a skirt out of it.
  
  
• Not for the Novice Seamtress
  By A2CMRWWN3LJT2O on 2007-07-18
  The author is to be applauded for encouraging young readers with her hip writing style. As a result, teens are encouraged to sew something more than repairing the seams of their blue jeans.
  
  Most of the projects Ms. Rannels proposes involve the use of T-shirts. For anyone who has made sewing a hobby, sewing with knits, especially stretchy cotton knits, requires the very careful attention and patience of the sewer.
  
  Therefore, anyone attempting the projects in this book should have a lot of experience in sewing with knit fabrics.
  
  
• great book for my teenager
  By A6ZR8P0YABPSO on 2008-02-08
  I bought this as a gift for my 14-year-old daughter and she has already made 2 items using guidelines from the book. She's a beginning sewer (she received the book along with a sewing machine), so the result is impressive. Even more impressive, tho, is the fact that she found two pieces to make (one using an old t-shirt, the other using an old pair of jeans) that were fast and easy to execute. My daughter wants instant gratification and these items were spot-on. The book was recommended by a blogger and was a perfect choice.
  
  
• Clever Cuts
  By A3123Y2KUHS8XS on 2008-03-18
  Although I have only flicked through this book, I can see myself finding pretty handy as a reference and for inspiration. Definately for people who do love to re-create op shop or their old clothes. I bought their other book Subersive Seamster with this book and found them very similar in theme but still all different ideas.
  
  

• Subversive Seamster: Transform Thrift Store Threads into Street Couture
• Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt
• Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe
• Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams
• Sew What! Skirts: 16 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics