Thrifty Style: Clever Ways to Repurpose Your Wardrobe

Description

Discover how to transform vintage finds and well-worn clothes into fashion-forward pieces. Whether you trawl markets for pre-loved clothing that's in need of repair, or simply want to update your existing wardrobe, you'll find plenty of inspiration here. Take 'make do and mend' one step further by not just mending but creating fashionable, unique items of clothing by repurposing your old ones. Janine Chisholm, an experienced dressmaker, teaches you how to rework clothes into new styles - from adding embellishments and changing necklines, sleeves and hems to total transformations, such as creating a brand new dress from two old ones. Make a pretty blouse from a floral dress, or convert a man's shirt into a stylish shirt dress. Take a basic woollen skirt and bring it bang up to date with an asymmetric hem - or add interest to a plain top by adding an embellished collar using a linen table doily. With clear, step-by-step artworks, as well as a comprehensive sewing techniques section, four full-size pull-out patterns and advice on sourcing vintage clothes, this book will tell you everything you need to know for a wardrobe that's all your own.

Janine Chisholm studied Theatre Design, specializing in Costume Design and Making, and then completed a postgraduate degree in Innovative Pattern Cutting at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She worked in professional theatre and television for ten years with companies such as Aardman Animations for the film Chicken Run and the BBC for the period drama Lark Rise to Candleford. Janine then chose to work with underprivileged young people, teaching sewing and art. Her passion for vintage clothes led her to create Custard House Clothing (www.custardhouseclothing.co.uk), a vintage clothing and customization service, which she has run successfully for the past three years.