It's time to get subversive, again! The downtown divas of "Sew Subversive" are back with another happy helping of straightlaced sewing advice for stylish results every time. Transform tacky bridesmaid gowns and pleated pants into picture-perfect tops, skirts and accessories. The two Melissas and a Hope deliver 30 great projects that are achievable for even the new sewer. "Subversive Seamster" is your secret roadmap to the jewels of thrifting and the ins and outs of refashioning. This book has shortcuts, tips, and secrets to the wide world of inexpensive, individualized fashion. Our clothes make a statement about who we are. What better way to say, "I am an individual!" than to wear one-of-a-kind items made out of other one-of-a-kind items? We derive the most fashionable satisfaction knowing that we are reusing and recycling what already exists in this material world--and looking darn good doing it!
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About the Author
Melissa Alvarado, Hope Meng, and Melissa Rannels are self-taught seamsters, fearless remnant bin divers, and yard sale addicts with attitude. They co-own Stitch Lounge, a drop-in urban sewing studio in San Francisco, where you can rent time on a machine or take classes on everything from sewing machine basics to making a Burning Man costume in the company of other like-minded seamsters. Please check out their website at www.stitchlounge.com.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
139 of 144 people found the following review helpful
By Latte
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
After reading about this book on a blog that I frequent, I checked it out from the local library. Our family relies heavily on thrift shopping to clothe all of us (7 in all!), and anything to make thrift items more useful and attractive seems like a great idea.
That said, these are beyond stylish (in the strangest way), and most of the fashions are just plain weird. I will try to upload some customer images, so readers can take a look and decide for themselves.
I understand that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" so my opinions are clearly not gospel...they are just that...opinions.
My 2 stars are for the excellent pages of sewing instruction at the beginning, and the nifty method of making a custom dress form using an old T-shirt and duct tape. That is very clever and a thrifty idea!
I liked some of the accessory and home ideas: pillow covers from button down shirts, the checkbook cover, the shopping bag. The fashions are mostly so out there that not many real people will be caught dead in them.
If you were hoping to make these clothes useful for filling out an everyday or professional wardrobe, for instance...on a budget...don't get your hopes up. Many are just plain ugly and unflattering, even on the uber-hip women pictured in the book.
Here are some examples:
...a pair of pants with sewn-on chaps
...crocheted poncho turned into a skirt, looks like it's just being worn over a slip
...a winter mini skirt made from a wool dress coat (theirs is ivory, no less!). Take a look at the picture, and then try to imagine sitting down! Also, think "bulky wool coat pockets" around most women's hips. Ick.
...a pleated school uniform-type skirt turned into a tube top.
...a bustier made out of "old man pants" (their description, not mine)
...a boatneck, batwing top made out of old sheets
...a skirt made from a mesh football jersey
For the right person, all this might be very useable. For those who don't work in a trendy, bohemian boutique where such attire would be desired, I'd suggest looking elsewhere for ideas.
That said, these are beyond stylish (in the strangest way), and most of the fashions are just plain weird. I will try to upload some customer images, so readers can take a look and decide for themselves.
I understand that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" so my opinions are clearly not gospel...they are just that...opinions.
My 2 stars are for the excellent pages of sewing instruction at the beginning, and the nifty method of making a custom dress form using an old T-shirt and duct tape. That is very clever and a thrifty idea!
I liked some of the accessory and home ideas: pillow covers from button down shirts, the checkbook cover, the shopping bag. The fashions are mostly so out there that not many real people will be caught dead in them.
If you were hoping to make these clothes useful for filling out an everyday or professional wardrobe, for instance...on a budget...don't get your hopes up. Many are just plain ugly and unflattering, even on the uber-hip women pictured in the book.
Here are some examples:
...a pair of pants with sewn-on chaps
...crocheted poncho turned into a skirt, looks like it's just being worn over a slip
...a winter mini skirt made from a wool dress coat (theirs is ivory, no less!). Take a look at the picture, and then try to imagine sitting down! Also, think "bulky wool coat pockets" around most women's hips. Ick.
...a pleated school uniform-type skirt turned into a tube top.
...a bustier made out of "old man pants" (their description, not mine)
...a boatneck, batwing top made out of old sheets
...a skirt made from a mesh football jersey
For the right person, all this might be very useable. For those who don't work in a trendy, bohemian boutique where such attire would be desired, I'd suggest looking elsewhere for ideas.
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is beyond bad. For those trying to save money by buying at thrift stores - save your money and don't buy this book! The "fashion" ideas, and that is a term used loosely, are horrible and all look badly home made. In some of the photos the edges aren't even finished correctly ( i.e. a bustier with uneven edge seams and threads hanging out)- and most are fashions that no one in their right style mind would wear. They are not radical and hip, they are messy and sad. The only idea that might prove helpful is how to create your own dress makers dummy - and this is a recycled idea.
If you must look at this book, a trip to the local library and about 30 seconds is all you will need.
If you must look at this book, a trip to the local library and about 30 seconds is all you will need.
62 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By slow thinker
Format:Paperback
Making trash into worse trash
Oh. My. God. Where to begin? Upgrading ordinary clothes is a hobby of mine and I purchased Subversive Seamster by mail hoping for fresh ideas. After I turned the first pages I realized that the real value of this book is entertainment. As each photograph reveals a new fashion atrocity you begin to merrily anticipate further sartorial horrors and you are not disappointed. Chest-flattening tops, skirts without proper hems, tucks that look like accidents, a shirt sleeve made into coin purse (who is THAT poor?), appliqués zigzagged with " medium stitch length and width" showing unraveling edges and other hobo projects. If you want to apply for food stamps wear one of these creations. It will help. I alternatively laughed and cringed. I still cannot decide which project wins the Palm of Ugliness: the bulging un-hemmed Peek-a-Bootylicious Skirt made of men's pants or the gaucho pants with applied flannel pajama legs. I also question the wisdom of sacrificing a classic leather vest to make a pair of earrings. I would no more want to wear such clothes than I would want to eat from a garbage container. If you are very poor, save your time and effort by wearing unaltered thrift store clothes, you won't look any worse.
Oh. My. God. Where to begin? Upgrading ordinary clothes is a hobby of mine and I purchased Subversive Seamster by mail hoping for fresh ideas. After I turned the first pages I realized that the real value of this book is entertainment. As each photograph reveals a new fashion atrocity you begin to merrily anticipate further sartorial horrors and you are not disappointed. Chest-flattening tops, skirts without proper hems, tucks that look like accidents, a shirt sleeve made into coin purse (who is THAT poor?), appliqués zigzagged with " medium stitch length and width" showing unraveling edges and other hobo projects. If you want to apply for food stamps wear one of these creations. It will help. I alternatively laughed and cringed. I still cannot decide which project wins the Palm of Ugliness: the bulging un-hemmed Peek-a-Bootylicious Skirt made of men's pants or the gaucho pants with applied flannel pajama legs. I also question the wisdom of sacrificing a classic leather vest to make a pair of earrings. I would no more want to wear such clothes than I would want to eat from a garbage container. If you are very poor, save your time and effort by wearing unaltered thrift store clothes, you won't look any worse.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Subversive, yes. Seamster, no.
Several reviews have pointed out how bad this book is. I am amazed then, that there are 3 and 1/2 stars for this book all the same. Let me chime in with another 1 star review. Read more
Published 6 months ago by W. Edwards
4.0 out of 5 stars
Subversive Seamstress review
I read this book recently and posted a review on my sewing blog.
[...]
In general, a fun idea book with the techniques you need to make interesting casual clothes.
[...]
In general, a fun idea book with the techniques you need to make interesting casual clothes.
Published 16 months ago by Allie
5.0 out of 5 stars
cycling the clothing and home through sewing
Have you ever asked someone where did you get that skirt, blouse, jacket etc.? If you like the unusual and the dramatic pieces to wear or to decorate your home with, then this is... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Linda Lanese
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Ideas, Poor Execution
After flipping through page after page of sewing books with patterns for pot holders, coasters, and baby clothes, I must say this book was a breath of fresh air. Read more
Published on March 12, 2011 by Sophie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect for Students
Just want to say first that some of the nay-sayers are a bit out of the demographic that the book seems to be directed at. Which may be why they give such bad reviews of it. Read more
Published on January 15, 2011 by Cynthia
2.0 out of 5 stars
Great Idea for a Book, Lousy Ideas *in* the Book
I checked this book out of the library with SO much excitement - I love thrifting, love "deals", love the idea of creative something cool and funky out of something drab. Read more
Published on October 10, 2010 by Mama Bee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some very good ideas...
Interesting springboard book to set your mindwheels turning. Some projects better than others but all guaranteed to make you look at old garments in a new way.
Published on April 13, 2010 by maribeth merton
1.0 out of 5 stars
if you have no fashion sense, get this book
I checked this book out at the local library and will return it PRONTO! The projects offered here are for re-fashioning thrift store clothing. The finished products look awful. Read more
Published on December 7, 2009 by Mama of four
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really great ideas even if the sewing tecniques are basic
This book has truely great ideas about how to recycle items of clothing, where to get those items, all that sort of jazz! Read more
Published on October 19, 2009 by Melissa Wayne
2.0 out of 5 stars
subversive seamster
Love the DIY manniquin and some of the projects inside are very cute.
very easy to follow instructions though better for a beginner seamster.
very easy to follow instructions though better for a beginner seamster.
Published on May 3, 2009 by Dreamah Q
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