33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully Unconventional ~ Wonderfully Outside the Box, July 4, 2008
This review is from: Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter (Domestic Arts for Crafty Girls) (Hardcover-spiral)
If you enjoy doing your own thing - wearing clothes or accessories that are outside the traditional box - well, if you do, this book is for you.
First, hardcovered spiral - opens flat - nice paper stock - includes some patterns (on regular tissue type paper - not my kind of working patterns, but nice that they're included) - well, a great start.
Next, this book includes information on needed tools and techniques (basic things like sceissors and seam ripper, etc - but also heavyweight steel pins, type of thread, and hand/machine needle requirements), as well as detailed information on measuring, including an ease chart and an international size chart (USA: size 6 = UK: size 8 = Europe: size 36 = Japan: size 9).
Their patterns are sized small (US 6-8), medium (US 10-12), large (US 14-16) - won't fit everyone, but they do include info on adjusting patterns to fit. If you have a little experience, you should not have any problem altering these patterns to your size.
Many techniques for altering the denim fabric are included (bleaching, dyeing, applique, beading, distressing, adding other fabrics, and so on). There is an entire section called "Denim Butchery" - lots of fun.
There are a wide range of projects, including: necklace, wrist cuffs, tank top, bustier, halter top, a tote and a purse, several skirts (you can't make just one), a hooded vest, a kimono jacket, and more.
Tips are interspersed throughout (for instance: "The chemical structure of the indogo dye"... - talking about the wearing process, and "cutting open a double-fold seam"..., and "If a seam is too bulky to place under the presser foot,"...).
A stitch Glossary is included, each with an illustration (applique stitch, satin stitch, chain stitch, Lazy Daisy stitch, and more).
Finally, what is my overal impression of this book... Well, eye-candy at first glance, then inspiration takes over, then pure satisfaction for having made this purchase. I've re-purpossed jeans from my own imagination for several years, so was very excited to find myself wonderfully impressed - this book takes it to another level.
Yes, this is beautifully unconventional and wonderfully outside the box, and not for the meek or timid - these projects are meant to be seen.
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