Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams [Paperback]

Elissa Meyrich (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Why spend tons of money on humdrum designer duds when it's possible to revamp a piece you already own to create a guaranteed original that looks, fits, and feels just the way it should?

Rip It! shows how simple and fun it can be to transform a tired wardrobe into hip, one-of-a-kind new looks without spending a dime. Elissa Meyrich, owner and teacher at the popular New York sewing boutique Sew Fast Sew Easy, has been passing her sewing secrets and style tips on to students for years. Now she shows beginners and experienced sewers everywhere how to customize pieces found at cheap chain stores, thrift shops, or the far reaches of a closet and create fabulous new designs. Rip It! includes everything you need -- basic sewing and alteration information; quick sewing methods; where to find supplies; advice on which fabrics to use; important cutting rules; plus illustrated layouts, drawings, and instructions that show you how to:

• Jazz up old t-shirts with stretch lace and zippers
• Turn faded, falling-apart jeans into a hot new denim skirt
• Change a pullover into a cute cardigan
• Make a thrift-store dress into a hipster skirt
• Create an instant poncho

Cool, crafty, and brimming with creative ideas, Rip It! is a hands-on handbook that will show you how to give your clothes sass, sparkle, and your own signature style.

About the Author

Elissa Meyrich is a fashion designer and consultant whose collections have been featured in several major magazines and department stores. A former instructor at Parsons School of Design, she now teaches her techniques at her design studio, Sew Fast Sew Easy, in New York City?s fashion district, and she is the author of the book of the same name. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; Original edition (February 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743268997
• ISBN-13: 978-0743268998
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #96,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Misleading title, June 11, 2008

By	S. Stevens (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams (Paperback)

I was disappointed in this book. There is some good basic information, but very little "deconstruction". A majority of the projects are merely adding decorations or embellishments to garments. Large print and a lot of white space on the pages make the book appear more substantial than what it actually contains. There are no pictures of actual examples, which would be helpful. Many of the projects are dated and uninspired. All-in-all, I am sorry I bought this book.

60 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Ideas for the Beginning Sewer, May 5, 2006

By	Jody (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams (Paperback)

If you aren't extremely familiar with pattern work or want to reconstruct some old clothing to practice sewing, this book is a good starting place. It has creative ideas including some that are relatively simple. I would not personally wear all the examples in the book but it was fun to practice on old clothes I was donating anyway.

If you are an experienced sewer, or have already used similar books then this book probably won't work for you and will seem like a rehash.

The book also serves as a great platform for coming up with your own deconstruction/reconstruction ideas. Once you are comfortable a few moderations to some of the suggestions makes it more personable and more wearable.

I think it would help to have some basic experience using a sewing machine PRIOR to using this book.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I want this book!, August 20, 2007

By	Bea "Bea" (Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams (Paperback)

I have the Sew Fast Sew Easy book and my sewing has improved ten fold. I now have an understanding of how garments are put together and am experimenting with redesigning my own clothes. I then bought Rip It!. This book explains a bunch of diferent ways of reconstructing clothes and accessories so it's been really helpful to recreating my clothes. It's a great book for any level of sewer of any age. I definitely recommend this book!