Customer Reviews

Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter (Domestic Arts for Crafty Girls)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

I bought this book because I am working on making a denim and lace wedding dress that is a two piece. I thought that I would beable to come up with at least one idea from this book. Never did I think I would come up with a lot more than that. As one reviewer mentions some of the paterns are "out there" but if you have an imagination (which is why you would be reconstructing denim in the first place I would hope) Most of these patterns can be made to function even for a 20 to 30 something person (not just "jr high, high school kids"-previous reviewer). I have so many ideas now that I want to make more outfits for me.

This well illustrated book is perfect for all those who have a garage of jeans that don't fit anymore. Many wonderful ideas abound and patterns. Highly recommended for the "green" set". So recycle those jeans and buy this book!.

The projects in this book range from simple (and practical) to the down-right unwearable. The instructions are clear, it is assumed you have a very basic understanding of sewing, and the photos show enough detail that you should be able to figure it out if the instructions don't make sense. The project ideas alone are worth the price of the book - they will definitely get your creativity going! My only "gripe" with this book is the finishing techniques (or lack there of) used on the garments. This is probably intentional, however, I tend to like my seams finished with no exposed edges/threads/etc - something that can be easily remedied when creating these garments. Overall, I would say buy the book and enjoy!

I admit a book about turning old jeans into stuff is a turn off for me. The mode of using old denim rarely looks fresh. Admittedly lovely nostalgic photos do come to mind... long-haired beauties in pieced denim capes and petticoats (taken in Haight-Ashbury no doubt). But a lot of colorful textiles were usually mixed in for these visuals. These days re-purposed jeans make for a tattered and washed-out visual that doesn't look good on the current fashion landscape. Scatha Allison, aka Miss Velvet Cream, slams into the denim modality like any good re-purposing fashion artist would... but better. Turns out Allison has strong historic fashion skills and a really good eye for draping and fitting her literally rough-edged look. I bought this with no intention of using old jeans for the projects (sorry!). However, Allison gives excellent food for thought for those who like rougher edged "trash to treasure" style and her work can be applied in any textile. It's a very SF-Bay look but she knows her stuff and inspires well. The Pencil Skirt and the Mermaid Skirt are interesting. The Ruffled Halter Top and the Sleeveless Bustle are a fantastic designs just to have on hand for an eye catching party shirt or a costume piece. There are some basic design ideas that come through in these shirts that will be appealing to the auto-didactic sewers among us. The Kimono Jacket and the Hooded Vest are fashion heavies in the book (even if they would look better NOT in denim... I'm planning to use an old suit jacket). There are some fantastic items in the gallery for inspiration as well (that I'm a bit sad to have to figure out myself!). The Swashbuckling Sash, Victorian Denim Wrap Coat, and the Hooded Jazz Jacket are standouts that more experienced sewers might want to figure out themselves.

Old denim is pretty "over" but this girl has skills! This book is mostly on bargain tables now... but it is a giant among many of the lesser "re-purpose" craft books that have made it to the book shelves these days. If you like some edgy fashion ideas check her out!

I took a chance on this book, based on the title. It was not quite what I hoped for....not much useful info and kind of "out there". Might have appeal for jr. high and high school population.

I have a pile of jeans waiting to turn into useful and beautiful items, which is why I was attracted to this book. A subtitle inside is Denim Butchery, and that is the most apropropriate description for what is happening here. I hope never to see these patterns put into action by anyone anywhere. They are Ugly, unfinished and unflattering.