Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Whether it is called up-cycled, re-cycled, altered designs, deconstructed or reconstructed, many of us are trying this eco friendly crafting and saving money in this repressed economy. I know when I go through my wardrobe I am more aware to how I can transform a piece that has been in my closet for awhile into something eco-chic. Now, Bridgett Artise and Jen Karetnick are leading the way in show us how to recycle our cast-offs into exciting new designs with their book "Born- Again Vintage" (Random House Book) 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent and Recycle Your Wardrobe". Bridgett's company is B Artise Originals believes that fashion trends come and go like the speed of light, but your pieces are timeless, trendless and more importantly "HOT" proving that with a few cuts and stitches, your entire wardrobe can be transformed! One of the most interesting things I learned about Bridgett is that she does custom orders, if you send in your old prom dress, maid of honor gown or any dress that's been in the back of your closet for way too long and she'll wave her magic wand and recreate your garment into something new and chic! Visit Bridgett's site and see all she offers.

Born Again Vintage, tells you where to go to find those awesome vintage clothes and it is not the trendy Vintage Boutiques. Where you ask? Buy or win this book and you will be an insider in vintage shopping. Create boot pants from sweater sleeves. Make a vest from and old blazer and out-of-date shirt. Put together a chic sweater mini dress from a sweater and skirt or charming sweater corset from a cast off sweater. The tee shirt blouse is created from a tee and an vintage blouse. A darling denim bags from those dated jeans. Use a elegant vintage skirt and create stunning dress shorts. I could go on and on but you will want to open this amazing hard covered book with its stunning pictures and instructions and let your mind go wild.
Co-author Jen Karetnick is an amazing lady you will want to get to know along with Bridgett. Bridgett claims she was Jen's pain while they worked on this book together. Jen is based in the fascinating and multicultural country known as Miami; Jen is one of the most oddly prolific writers around. An editor, author and poet as well as pen-for-hire, she tackles a variety of lifestyle subjects: food, travel, wine, liquor, literature, health, medicine, sexuality, arts, culture, home, garden, shopping, parenting, children and even cats and dogs and of course "Born Again Vintage" To learn more about Jen visit her site. This book is available at Amazon.com

This book was even better than I expected. The ideas were great and the text was very helpful and intelligent. I also enjoyed the photos. I gave a copy of this book to a fiber artist friend who found the whole thing inspirational. I hope this writing team comes out with a follow up book or two!