Just for the Frill of It: 25 Flirty, Fabulous Styles to Make from Clothes you Already Own [Paperback]

Sonya Nimri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 2007

Fashionista crafters...you’ve got license to frill!


Dig deep in that closet... deeper... deeper...aha! Yes, you'd never be caught wearing it in this lifetime. But let super-chic author Sonya Nimri show you how to turn that dud into a dream-come-true. Cut off the neck of a pilly turtleneck sweater to make an adorable purse... trim a plain dress with lace for instant glamour... transform an outdated scarf into a club-worthy shirt... it's like finding a whole new wardrobe! Easy step-by-steps show just how to use simple sewing, gluing, and embellishing to turn boring into boho-beautiful.


• Shows readers how to embellish clothes they already own to make unique, romantic fashions


• -by-steps let everyone turn "nothing special" into something fabulous


• Great projects, stunning photography

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sonya Nimri is a true crafting goddess. In 2004, she was the runner-up in the Today show’s search for a Domestic Diva. She has contributed to several books and made many television appearances. In addition, she toured as a national spokeswoman for Michael’s and represented Scholastic’s line of Klutz books as their "chief executive crafter." Visit her on the web at www.sonyastyle.com. She lives in Santa Monica, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; 1st edition (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823099970
• ISBN-13: 978-0823099979
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I think I'm too old for this book, April 15, 2010

By 

Nikki F "Nikki F" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just for the Frill of It: 25 Flirty, Fabulous Styles to Make from Clothes you Already Own (Paperback)

I really wanted to like this book. It got great reviews here on Amazon, and the photos seemed appealing. I'm glad I decided to borrow this from the library before buying, because I didn't care for this book at all. It's too bad, because the author seems very likeable, and I really enjoyed her writing style. Unfortunately I would have been really disappointed in this purchase.

I really like the idea of refashioning existing items in my wardrobe and I have a few pieces I've done on my own that I've really liked. I'm always looking for new inspiration and based on the reviews I thought this would be a great book for me. Unfortunately, clothing reconstruction books seem to fall into one of two categories -- the styles are either too bare and young or else they're super frumpy. This book falls into the "too bare and young" category. It really looks like these are all thrift store items, hastily (and sometimes sloppily) sewn together. I want things that look chic and wearable, and maybe a bit funky, but I don't want to look like I threw random thrift store items together and called it a day. I'm 36, a mother, and need to wear a bra. A backless scarf top worn braless just ain't gonna cut it for me. There were a few too many variations on the sweater bolero idea in here. I would have liked the Granny Bolero had it not been so sloppy in execution (just look at the stitching! If you can't do neat zig-zag stitching, you shouldn't use contrasting thread!) I really liked the Fraulein Uber-Vamp top and the Pansies Purse, and feel somewhat inspired by the tango top. Those were the only items I felt were very wearable at my age.

I still prefer books like this to the afore-mentioned frumpy reconstruction books. I'd rather see something sassy and colorful, if unwearable and hastily put together, than learn ways to applique quilt blocks and bear shapes in calico fabrics on shapeless denim dresses, if you know what I mean. I'm still looking for a book that strikes a happy medium and actually presents finished items that a 30-something mom can realistically wear.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The focus on contemporary styles for 20-somethings makes for a fun, appealing idea book, October 6, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just for the Frill of It: 25 Flirty, Fabulous Styles to Make from Clothes you Already Own (Paperback)

Sonya Nimri's JUST FOR THE FRILL OF IT tells how to put together a hot new wardrobe - with items you already own. These can be items which have lost their luster, or are shoved in back of a closet for some reason - but Nimri shows how to turn these once-appealing clothes into new styles, from pairing a scarf with an old sweater to produce a novel tango top to stretching old ties together to make a new shirt. The focus on contemporary styles for 20-somethings makes for a fun, appealing idea book packed with easy sewing instructions and color photos: perfect for libraries seeking something different and practical for a needlework addition.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Fun, July 27, 2007

By 

Crafty Lula "Lula S." (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just for the Frill of It: 25 Flirty, Fabulous Styles to Make from Clothes you Already Own (Paperback)

This book had great project directions and was really simple to follow. I ended up making 3 projects which all turned out awesome and really love the way the author talks about clothing makeover, it really made it less intimidating for me.