Customer Reviews

Jan Saunders' Wardrobe Quick-Fixes (Star Wear S)

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

 

 

I purchased some beautiful designer clothes from an estate sale, but after I tried them on I found myself on the verge of shelling out more money than I paid for the clothes in expensive alterations. I saved all that money and more by buying this book. I don't sew, am not "crafty" and have little patience for details but Jan Saunders' pictures, diagrams, easy sew and no sew instructions made me confident I could do it myself--quickly. My clothes look great, they fit, and the complements keep coming. I may never need a tailor again.

As an experienced sewer and someone who has to alter nearly every item of clothing I purchase, I was really looking forward to getting this book, based on the reviews. However, this book is a joke. It offers very little in the way of TRUE altering--ideas like "Make an elastic band to hold too-long sleeves up around your elbows" does NOT qualify as good technical advice, in my humble opinion. The "fashions" (if you can call them that) recommended in this book are grossly outdated (I suspect they were already passe even in 1995 when the book was printed), and they all have a grossly home-fashioned look to them. If you are really into baubles, embellishments, and that frumpy "mom made it" look, buy this book. If you are looking for a good guide to TRUE altering, spend your money elsewhere. My new copy is getting donated to the library.

I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I read reviews that made me think that as a non-sewer, somehow this book could tell me how to do quick and easy repairs. The only use it has to me is that it might give me some ideas for repairs to request from a seamstress. There were no definitions for the neophyte. For example, there were repeated references to "serging" which, I guess, is something kind of like sewing, but different. I do think it is an excellent book for someone that already knows how to sew and wants some ideas on how to do repairs that will improve the fit of garments. I am sorry I bought the book as it is useless to me, and I am selling it.

I bought this book with the idea of trying to alter ready-to-wear clothes so they fit better---I wanted to find a book that included basic techniques (hemming jeans/pants, making long sleeve shirts into short sleeve shirts, etc.) as well as more advanced ones (altering suit jackets to fit better, adding darts to shirts, skirts). I'm not sure if other such books exist (most other alterations/tailoring books explain how to alter/fit patterns when you're sewing a piece of clothing from scratch, not when altering an already-made piece of clothing) but I would be curious to if there are any others that people would recommend. I've seen that there is a book called 'Altering Women's Ready to Wear' by Mary Roehr (seems relevant) but don't know anything about it.

I haven't used any of the techniques from this book but have tried other similar techniques that I found online (hemming jeans without having to topstitch a straight line, reconstructing t-shirts into more fitted/flattering shirts (halters, camisoles, etc.) or into other types of clothing (skirts, dresses)).

This book seems to give useful ideas, some of which I plan to try (for example, removing a zipper stop and putting a zipper back on track; sewing side pockets closed on skirts/dress pants; etc.). Some of the techniques seem interesting (making things tighter or looser) but are beyond my level of sewing (advanced beginner). I would agree with the previous reviewer that for the most part, the book is much more useful to someone who sews a little at least---there aren't that many no-sew techniques included. The book is somewhat dated (for example, it tells you how to adjust/make longer elastic stirrups for your stirrup pants) but you can apply many of the principles to modern day clothing. The other complaint that I have with the book is the organization of the text/diagrams---the book is structured so that there are 4 columns across two pages---the center columns contain text, and the outer columns contain diagrams that relate to the text. I would prefer the blocks of text and corresponding diagrams to be grouped together on the page, not in a columnar format. Also, this would allow for more white space---the book feels very crammed/tightly packed and would be easier to follow with more space.

This being said, this book contains numerous useful ideas that I haven't been able to otherwise find grouped together in a book like this, so I'm glad that I bought it and would recommend it to others.

* Update: I have since purchased 'Altering Women's Ready to Wear' by Mary Roehr, and find it to be a more useful book. The techniques are more polished and professional-looking and are ones that a seamstress would employ.

Most of the ideas in this book just seemed so silly. I am a petite woman who has a hard time finding clothes that fit, even when wearing petites. The little cartoon drawings made it even worse. This was a big waste of my money. Given the other reviews, I thought this would be a good alterations guide. I sure was wrong there! I wish I could find a book on alterations for petite women who want to look professional.

I checked this book out from the library, and I'm planning to purchase it, despite its many flaws. Why? Because there doesn't seem to be anything else out there on this topic (Publishers: take note). I'm giving it 4 stars, because I can't find anything else to compare it to. Incredibly, with the plethora of new books on knitting and even the healthy number of books on altering t-shirts for skinny young hipsters, there just aren't any real books for the average sewer who wants to make her purchased clothes fit better. The drawbacks to this book have been cited by other reviewers: very outdated styles, ugly kitchey illustrations, and the whole Christmas Sweatshirt Mom aesthetic - very depressing. But to its credit, it gives instructions on making your clothes bigger or smaller and offers encouragement to at least try, and not just accept the clothing industry's cookie-cutter ideology. We're not all built the same. Our clothes don't have to be, either.

Borrowed this book from my quilt club library and knew right away that I had to have it. I sew for my grandhildren and frequently find fabulous items at thrift stores and yard sales. This book is a godsend for altering clothes. The price was perfect too. Thanks to Amazon.com I was able to find a copy right away. Thanks.

Down to earth advice, easy instructions, and really saves you money!

I purchased this book ten years ago. Over the years I have used it over and over again for quick fixes and ideas for a wide range of problems and fixer-ups. Yes the book was published in 1995 and expect it to be dated but get over it as most of the information is still
good. This morning I picked up again for a certain problem that I was trying to resolve with a pair of Pants. Guess what? I found a solution. I was wondering if there was an updated version so I tuned in here and sad to say there isn't. One shot deal I guess. PS. Glad that stirrup pants are a thing of the past!