Has anyone come across a book that documents how to repurpose unwanted clothes? For example, I once saw a book from World War II that showed how to turn a man’s suit into a suit for a woman, how to use a man’s work shirt for the materials to make a woman’s blouse, how to turn men’s trousers into a skirt. Have no idea the name of the book or who the author was, I saw it a while ago. All I can find in the current books available is how to make aprons, dishcloths, place mats from such pieces, but I would love to take it a step further and really learn how to reconstruct great old thriftstore finds into something more than that. Any ideas?
Thanks! Laurie
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You're in luck, one of the books you're thinking of is up at Susannah's Cargo Cult Craft blog, you can download the whole thing!
Or check ebay for either Singer's version or Butterick's (?). There are always one or two listed, it seems.
I take all the notions out of old clothes (for reuse) and then use the clothes for trim, quilts, rags, crafts, pillows, whatever I need
Love the art of the revamp!
I made a skirt and a baby gown from one large men's polo shirt. Found both tutorials online and links are in the following blog entry.
http://skitzoleezrastudio.blogspot.com/2010/02/life-of-one-free-shirt.html
Check my Recycle and Upcycle tags too!
There are heaps of books like that! Often called "Make-do and mend" or similar!
Thank you very much. I appreciate your help! I'll go check these out now.
The group blog Wardrobe Refashion often has great ideas about reuse and revamping. http://www.nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/
A couple of my faves are sweater surgery and born again vintage, along with the blog, resweater and you might like some of the revamping I've done too!