Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe [Hardcover]

Bridgett Artise (Author), Jen Karetnick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2008

Fashion designer Bridgett Artise believes in second chances—a philosophy that extends all the way to her clothing line, B. Artise Originals. Fashion gave her a second chance at happiness and success, and, in turn, she gives vintage garments that have lost their luster another chance at being fashionable. Mixing contemporary clothing with the best elements of a vintage piece—like the collar of a funky fifties housedress or the pockets of a seventies-style jacket—and piecing them back together in a whole new way, she creates one-of-a-kind garments that are both trend setting and timeless.

An old-fashioned ruffled shirt with terrific buttons, plus an inexpensive tank top, can become a unique top. A poodle skirt and that so-last-year’s knee-length cardigan sweater can be turned into anything from a mini-poncho to a structured tube top. With fashions for every season, Born-Again Vintage contains patterns for:

•Pants that pair perfectly with winter boots and a sweater dress that’s sexy and simple
•A cropped jacket + sweater corset that are perfect for a flirty spring fling
•Dresses + bags to keep summer easy and breezy
•Pretty-in-a-blink dresses + accessories for a big night out

Born-Again Vintage updates the trends of fashion eras gone by and brings the unparalleled quality of vintage into a new age. Complete with a vintage shopping guide, handy style tips, and ideas for reinventing disused cast-offs, Born-Again Vintage is a must-have for vintage shoppers and sewers alike.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

BRIDGETT ARTISE, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of the Technology in New York, is best known as the up-and-coming fashion designer behind the indie label B. Artise Originals, featured in Lucky magazine and on BET. Visit her online at b-artise.com.

JEN KARETNICK is a Miami-based writer and poet.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (December 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307405273
• ISBN-13: 978-0307405272
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.6 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great for ideas . . . but not for instruction!, January 29, 2009

By 

A. M. Froehle "Textile Girl" (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe (Hardcover)

First, let me say that I am a savvy sewer, and a creative textile artist. I ordered this book because of some of the pics I saw on this site. I was very excited!! Well, that was it. Front only pictures, no back, side or pattern views. One particular outfit has 1.5 yds of fabric sewn in, but there's absolutely no picture... so I haven't a clue what it actually looks like (and the back is cut out as well - so could be awesome, but I have no idea!)

Then the instructions. The quote from the book: "Basically this is a guide on how to free your imagination ..) What she's saying is - the directions are minimal at best! I have a fairly good idea of what they mean, but for somebody who is very visual - don't waste your money. It tells you where to cut, pin and turn under, then stops. It never really explains how to finish a cut sweater so it doesn't unravel. It just really lacks. I like the pics, but I should have saved my money!

So now my imagination is free.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!, October 19, 2009

By 

Morgan Adams "A Pirates Life" (San Dimas, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe (Hardcover)

This is a great book to get your creativity sparked and moving.
Photos are great and the instruction easy. If you are a a fan
of Anthropologie and Free People this is the book for you to
create your own versions.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Born Again Vintage, September 18, 2009

By 

Cynthia A. Sutton "Cynthiana Recycling" (Crystal City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe (Hardcover)

This book is great! To really appreciate what this book is you must realize what it isn't. It isn't a step by step guide for a beginning seamstress. It is a book full of ideas and inspiration. Just looking at the pictures gives you new ideas of your own. The book does give some instruction and guidance as to sewing the projects. If you know a little about sewing you can jump in and sew things you never have before. Although I will not make all of the projects, there are some exciting ones I will. I love it when I get new creative ideas just by looking at someone else's work. This book will keep me busy for a long time.