Subversive Seamster: Transform Thrift Store Threads into Street Couture Reviews

• Not what some might be hoping for!

  
  By A1YCQHS3N8E8UE on 2008-01-18
  After reading about this book on a blog that I frequent, I checked it out from the local library. Our family relies heavily on thrift shopping to clothe all of us (7 in all!), and anything to make thrift items more useful and attractive seems like a great idea.
  
  That said, these are beyond stylish (in the strangest way), and most of the fashions are just plain weird. I will try to upload some customer images, so readers can take a look and decide for themselves.
  
  I understand that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" so my opinions are clearly not gospel...they are just that...opinions.
  
  My 2 stars are for the excellent pages of sewing instruction at the beginning, and the nifty method of making a custom dress form using an old T-shirt and duct tape. That is very clever and a thrifty idea!
  
  I liked some of the accessory and home ideas: pillow covers from button down shirts, the checkbook cover, the shopping bag. The fashions are mostly so out there that not many real people will be caught dead in them.
  
  If you were hoping to make these clothes useful for filling out an everyday or professional wardrobe, for instance...on a budget...don't get your hopes up. Many are just plain ugly and unflattering, even on the uber-hip women pictured in the book.
  
  Here are some examples:
  ...a pair of pants with sewn-on chaps
  ...crocheted poncho turned into a skirt, looks like it's just being worn over a slip
  ...a winter mini skirt made from a wool dress coat (theirs is ivory, no less!). Take a look at the picture, and then try to imagine sitting down! Also, think "bulky wool coat pockets" around most women's hips. Ick.
  ...a pleated school uniform-type skirt turned into a tube top.
  ...a bustier made out of "old man pants" (their description, not mine)
  ...a boatneck, batwing top made out of old sheets
  ...a skirt made from a mesh football jersey
  
  For the right person, all this might be very useable. For those who don't work in a trendy, bohemian boutique where such attire would be desired, I'd suggest looking elsewhere for ideas.
  
  

• Making trash into worse trash

  
  By A1MQNE2DYDOYKW on 2008-04-03
  Making trash into worse trash
  
  Oh. My. God. Where to begin? Upgrading ordinary clothes is a hobby of mine and I purchased Subversive Seamster by mail hoping for fresh ideas. After I turned the first pages I realized that the real value of this book is entertainment. As each photograph reveals a new fashion atrocity you begin to merrily anticipate further sartorial horrors and you are not disappointed. Chest-flattening tops, skirts without proper hems, tucks that look like accidents, a shirt sleeve made into coin purse (who is THAT poor?), appliqués zigzagged with " medium stitch length and width" showing unraveling edges and other hobo projects. If you want to apply for food stamps wear one of these creations. It will help. I alternatively laughed and cringed. I still cannot decide which project wins the Palm of Ugliness: the bulging un-hemmed Peek-a-Bootylicious Skirt made of men's pants or the gaucho pants with applied flannel pajama legs. I also question the wisdom of sacrificing a classic leather vest to make a pair of earrings. I would no more want to wear such clothes than I would want to eat from a garbage container. If you are very poor, save your time and effort by wearing unaltered thrift store clothes, you won't look any worse.
  
  
  

• SAVE YOUR MONEY

  
  By AQ1B0GF0KP0KR on 2008-04-06
  This book is beyond bad. For those trying to save money by buying at thrift stores - save your money and don't buy this book! The "fashion" ideas, and that is a term used loosely, are horrible and all look badly home made. In some of the photos the edges aren't even finished correctly ( i.e. a bustier with uneven edge seams and threads hanging out)- and most are fashions that no one in their right style mind would wear. They are not radical and hip, they are messy and sad. The only idea that might prove helpful is how to create your own dress makers dummy - and this is a recycled idea.
  
  
  If you must look at this book, a trip to the local library and about 30 seconds is all you will need.
  
  

• Sew Fabulous!

  
  By AU8QWRY1YD7Z6 on 2007-11-29
  If you are an individual with a sense of style and have even a bit of crafty intuition, this book is an incredible find! I love the tips for sifting through thrift stores and the projects are fantastic. I especially love the city shorts and repurposing ideas for bridesmaid dresses. You don't even have to shop for these. I bet most ladies have a pair of pants or a cast off bridesmaid dress they'd like to find a use for. Even if you don't exactly love the designs shown, you can make them suit your own personal style by choosing items composed of the fabrics that you love. This book doesn't limit the indie seamster, but introduces her to innovative ideas that open up a whole world of fashions that make a statement: you! At your most fabulous, of course.
  
  

• Seamster Scores

  
  By A21NPSY3AZ2ACB on 2007-11-21
  The authors of Subversive Seamster have scored another winner. This book is filled with logical and creative tips and ideas for those who want to refashion personalized clothing and projects. From hints on where and what to select in the way of used clothing, to making your own customized dress form, to sewing instructions for very useable techniques like pintucks, buttonholes, and casings, this book is a great one to have as a reference as well as for practical application. Written with a sense of humor in addition to clear and concise instructions, this is a book that can be used over and over--and never wear out--just like the projects that are presented in the book.
  
  
• Now I can thrift with confidence!
  By A2M5HH9CQI59BV on 2007-12-11
  Thanks ladies, I have been waiting for book 2, cool stylish and cheap. Now I can read about sewing and not fall asleep. You make a needle and thread more exciting than I ever thought it could be. I have a love hate relationship with sewing, mostly hate but now I feel like I can make stylish clothes. I like the part about shopping first (the really fun part) and then sewing. No more pattern books for me, Goodwill here I come. You have great ideas, that spur my creativity, thanks ladies a book well done.
  
  
• kickin' all the other books to the curb!
  By A3I2WSLAH1SSMX on 2007-12-18
  the market is flooded with reconstructing clothes books right now! this one puts all those simple t-shirt recon books to shame (not tease, that's a good one!) and gives you really innovative ideas on things you can do to already existing, potentially hideous clothes. for example, turning old man pants into a cute tank that zips up right in front, schoolgirl skirts into cute fitted tanks (with directions on how to add darts to fit your size), and even how to make your own fitting dummy. that's quite helpful when those things are a hundred bucks to buy. even though i may not make many of these (as time permits!), i love the inspiration and new eyes this book gives me.
  
  
• A great resource for the individualist (and beginner!) seamster
  By A2N3UCNKUQFC23 on 2008-01-28
  I received this as a gift and was very pleasantly surprised! There are a lot of fun, inventive, and easy ideas in this book. After reading it, I wanted to go right out and go thrift store shopping! It's true what the other reviewer said: you are not going to be able to make your typical business casual wardrobe from this book, but there are several very cute projects that are more than appropriate for any casual wardrobe, such as the peasant-style blouse and the adorable cuffed shorts, with instructions for three different lengths. And I personally think the sports jersey top made into a skirt would be a fabulous way to show your team pride at a Super Bowl or World Cup party! the tank with the corset back is very wearable, and the refashioned silky tank is a great idea (though poorly represented in the accompanying photo).
  
  In general, if you eschew stores like Banana Republic and Ann Taylor in favor of more original looks, but don't want to spend the money/environmental resources on buying new from boutiques, and you have beginner sewing skills, then I can recommend this book.
  
  Caveat: although I have read the directions for many of the projects, and they seem quite easy to follow, I have not yet made any.
  
  
• A 'must' for any collection catering to sewers.
  By A14OJS0VWMOSWO on 2008-02-07
  SUBVERSIVE SEAMSTER: TRANSFORM THRIFT STORE THREADS INTO STREET CULTURE as for any sewer who has patterns and methods down - and wants to move beyond them into the world of altering and enhancing existing offerings. Refashioning is covered with a host of tips and secrets to re-doing vests, purses, dresses and more, from a salsa skirt to a poncho, tops, and accessories. A 'must' for any collection catering to sewers.
  
  Diane C. Donovan
  California Bookwatch
  
  
• Handy Hints
  By A3123Y2KUHS8XS on 2008-03-18
  Although I have only flicked through this book, I can see myself finding it pretty handy as a reference and for inspiration. Definately for people who do love to re-create op shop or their old clothes.
  
  

• Sew Subversive: Down and Dirty DIY for the Fabulous Fashionista
• Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt
• Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams
• AlterNation: Transform. Embellish. Customize.
• Sew Everything Workshop