Altered Clothing: Hip Fixes and Transformations with a Needle and Thread

138 Pages·2006·14.57 MB·English

by  Kathleen Maggio

k
r
alte ed
DOES YOUR WARDROBE NEED AN UPGRADE?
a
Altered Clothing shows you how to transform basic, out-of-date, or vintage l
t
garments and accessories into new custom fashions with a DIY twist. e
CLOTHING
r
e
Altered Clothing features: d
" C
Tips and tricks from a fashion professional that require minimal investment
and allow you to reinvent your entire wardrobe! L
" O
Simple sewing tasks that become fabulous embellishment opportunities
T before
"
Complete photographic step-by-step instructions, before-and-after shots of every H
garment, and an array of gallery pieces that provide more inspiration and ideas
I
N
Find great ideas for turning an old pullover into a fabulous cardigan, or a frumpy skirt into G
a flirty sundress! Find out how to reshape a baggy jacket, or turn some scarves into a sexy top!
Don't discard a nice pair of jeans because they just are worn through or are cut wrong–creative wh
itip
redesigns, simple reworking, and clever embellishments are the way to go. Rather than buy h
f
new, mass-produced items, take what you already have in your closet and create not only a anixe
es
fashion statement but a proclamation of individual style. With knowledge of some basic sewing ea
dn hip fixes
techniques, anyone can turn old clothing into new favorites with a designer's eye and a little ld
e
creative inspiration. atr
na and
dn
About the Author s
thfo
Kathleen Maggio started making clothes for herself at age nine. She has taught fashion design at Mayer rr transformations
em
a
School and Pratt Institute. She currently teaches pattern making, draping, and construction to juniors da
t
i with a
in the BFA program at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. Photographer Timothy Maggio o
n
owns a business that integrates photography, technology, and design. Both live in New York City. s
needle and
thread
Also Available: Making Handbags Making Leather New Techniques
1-56496-849-9 Handbags for Wearable Art
1-59253-076-1 1-59253-075-3 M
A
G
G
IO
/
ISBN-13: 978-1-59253-246-9 M
A
Crafts/Sewing ISBN-10: 1-59253-246-2 G
G KATHLEEN MAGGIO
IO
$24.99 US PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIMOTHY MAGGIO
PC £16.99 UK AN
U $32.95 CAN E k
domestic arts for crafty girls
www.rockpub.com
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 1
r
alte ed
CLOTHING
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 2
To Donald Brooks,whose work inspired my designs for this book
© 2006 by Quarry Books
All rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced in any
form without written permission of the copyright owners.All images in
this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent
of the artists concerned,and no responsibility is accepted by producer,
publisher,or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise,
arising from the contents of this publication.Every effort has been made
to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied.We
apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve
inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the
book.
First published in the United States of America by
Quarry Books,a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
33 Commercial Street
Gloucester,Massachusetts 01930-5089
Telephone:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
www.rockpub.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maggio,Kathleen
Altered clothing :hip fixes and transformations with a needle and
thread / Kathleen Maggio and Timothy Maggio.
p. cm.—(Domestic arts for crafty girls)
ISBN 1-59253-246-2 (pbk.)
1. Clothing and dress—Alteration.2. Clothing and dress—
Remaking. I. Maggio,Timothy.II. Title.III. Series.
TT550.M24 2006
646.4'04—dc22 2006008906
CIP
ISBN-13:978-1-59253-246-9
ISBN-10:1-59253-246-2
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Cover and Book Design:Rockport Publishers
Cover Image and Photography: Timothy Maggio ofVinepod,Inc.
Photographs on pages 8–11 courtesy of www.istock.com
Technical Editor:Susan Huxley
Assistant Technical Editor:Katherine Riess
Printed in Singapore
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 3
r
alte ed
CLOTHING
hip fixes and
transformations
with a needle
and thread
KATHLEEN MAGGIO
PHOTOGRAPHY BYTIMOTHY MAGGIO
k
domestic arts for crafty girls
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 4
contents
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 5
Introduction ................................................6 Flat ’50s Frock to Flirty
Fabulous Dress ....................................72
SECTION 1: GETTING STARTED .............. Simple Strapless to Bodice Beauty......76
8
Office Cardigan to Cropped Topper....80
Clothes and Inspiration ..........................10
Plain-Jane Jacket to Knit-
Trims ............................................................11
and-Nylon Eye-Catcher......................84
Basic Sewing Kit ........................................13
Stretched-out Tee to
Basic Stitches............................................14
Sparkling Halter..................................90
Interfacings and Web..............................18
Dot Dress to Party Princess..................94
Finishes........................................................18
Wall Street to Chic Sheath ................100
Techniques..................................................20
’60s Mod to Mod Maiden ......................104
Washed-up Raincoat to
SECTION 2: PROJECTS............................30 City Slicker ........................................108
Stained Skirt to Wavy Wonder............32 Drab Khaki to Delicate Detailing ........114
Quiet Tunic to Spirited Vest................38
SECTION 3:TECHNIQUE BOUTIQUE....
Worn-out Flares to 118
Pretty Pedal Pushers..........................44
Pocketed Tote ..........................................48
Patterns ....................................................126
Passé Poncho to Swinging Skirt............50
Glossary ....................................................130
Precious Pullover to
Contributors ............................................132
Classy Cardigan....................................54
Resources..................................................133
Tiered Skirt to Stylish Sundress........58
About the Authors ................................135
Shapeless T-shirt to
Acknowledgments....................................136
Shoelace Treasure..............................62
His Polo to Her Polynesia........................66
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 6
introduction
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 7
The term “alterations” invokes images gone three face-lifts and it still looks great.I do occasion-
of artful tailors,with pins between their lips,turning up a ally drop off donations at secondhand stores,but if there
hem.Sadly,this is becoming a lost art.Contributing to this is a way to redo a favorite but outdated sweater,that is
is the wide selection of clothing that is inexpensive and when I apply a little ingenuity.
readily accessible.
It has become fashionable to shop at thrift stores given
Over the past few decades,many of us have become too the variety and savings.Many of us feel there are more
busy to spend time on our wardrobes.However,custom important things to spend our money on than over-
pieces made from ready-made clothes can be completed priced,mass-produced clothing.Certainly,some vintage
in an afternoon.Transforming an existing garment is a sat- clothes are of extraordinary quality and detail,unmatched
isfying and economically sound alternative to purchasing in today’s market.As the saying goes,“They don’t make
new clothes each season.And that transformation is what ’em like they used to.” Usually,these garments are only in
this book is all about. need of a belt,buttons,or other small details.These
minor additions can provide a whole new look.
This is not a book about fitting.While it does address
some basic alteration techniques such as hemming,this We all know what we want in our clothes.Some want
book shows you how cutting,stitching,and ornamentation to make a quiet statement,while others convey loud
can make over a garment into something new and excit- messages about their personality.One of my students
ing.By adding details,color,and texture,your clothes will came to class wearing a sheer appliquéd piece that was
reflect your personality and style. tied above the bust over layered T-shirts.She said it was
a vintage apron,and wore it as an overskirt one day and
Everyone wants to look unique.We want to wear things
a top the next.
that we can relate to and experiment with.We want to
stand apart from the crowd.I wore a uniform my first Fashion moves fast and is constantly changing.With the
eight years in school.By the time I entered public high techniques you will learn in this book,you can translate a
school,I was desperate to express my individual fashion look seen on the street today into a garment you can
sense.Most evenings were spent sewing something new to wear tomorrow! All you need are some basic sewing
wear the next day. skills and a keen eye for trends.Make a statement and
reference your own history,ethnicity,and lifestyle.
Recycling clothes makes perfect sense in today’s environ-
ment.I value clothing whether it was a gift or something I Making and refashioning clothes is highly creative and
used precious time to purchase or make.There is a skirt empowering.I am happy to have this opportunity to
in my closet that I made fifteen years ago.It has under- share my ideas with you.
N
O
TI
C
U
D
O
R
T
N
I
7
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 8
getting
started
BEGIN WITH
a garment and an idea
for restyling it. A skirt
or T-shirt is a great
place to start.If you
are considering using
an embellishment,
take a look at the Trims
list that follows to think
about the possibilities.
Tools will be needed
to implement your
alteration.Refer to
Techniques on page 20
for sewing information.
Altered Clothing
AC 001-013_ 1/11/07 11:45 AM Page 9
1
Altered Clothing