The Refashion Handbook: Refit, Redesign, Remake for Every Body

I didn't care for this book at all. The rave reviews about the thing inspired me to purchase it, but after spending about 20 minutes reading the thing from cover to cover - I'm sorry to say that it was a waste of money. The author really doesn't provide any information that isn't freely available on a thousand and one different re-purposing blogs that are out there on the Internet. Her "tips" for shopping thrift stores are to look in sizes other than your own, in the areas other than your own (menswear and linens) and to shop on sale days. I feel like anybody who has been in a thrift store more than once would already have this information.In the forward of the book, she mentions that a great reason to refashion is that quite often a pattern isn't necessary. To quickly contradict that claim, however, the first two project ideas do just that...use the bodice pattern pieces from store bought sewing patterns. In addition to this minor annoyance, the first 40% of the book attempts to be a crash course in teaching sewing...and offers vague instructions for creating cap sleeves, gathering, marking darts, hemming (with and without hem tape), installing zippers, seaming, a couple of hand sewing stitches, and using bias tape.The projects themselves are lackluster. This woman must wear an awful lot of dresses and skirts because there are no pants/shorts in this book at all...and the basic premise for her dress refashions are to take something that is too big, ill fitting, and frumpy and then cut it to a new shorter length and modify the waistband to fit. It's all stuff that I've seen done a million times on Pinterest. She haphazardly walks you through her refashions...but unless you have the items she does and want to refashion them in the manner she does, it doesn't really do much good. It's not even really good at sparking creative ideas. The pictures are sad and boring - and her inner dialogue stories she has about the clothes talking to her seem childish and maybe even a little creepy. I don't want to read three paragraphs about how the cashmere skirt seduced her with it's soft stripes.On the whole, I cannot recommend this book. I can honestly say that I didn't get even one tidbit of advice. With all the fabulous free sources for refashioning ideas out there...I'd rather have spent the money I did on this book at the thrift store.

If you are refashioning for fun or necessity, this is the book to have. If you are a regular reader of her site, this book is still worth purchasing.This book explains techniques for the absolute beginner in a clear, concise manner, so anyone who is starting out with sewing can understand how to perform various techniques. If you are already familiar with sewing and refashioning, you can skip that chapter and dive into the projects.My favorite part about her book (and her site) is her projects result in timeless, classic and stylish pieces that are wearable for women of all shapes and sizes. The issue I have with most (not all) refashion books and sites are the projects are either too simplistic (using the same technique for the garment refashion), too "out-there", or too confined to a particular demographic. If you have the same issues with refashioning sites and books, you WON'T have that issue with this book or her site.This book also renders well on the Kindle Fire, so if you have a Kindle Fire and have had bad luck with how the how-to books show up on it, you shouldn't have a problem with this one because it works great on my Kindle Fire AND Kindle Fire HD.

I am a serial thrift store shopper and seamstress! I can't tell you how many garments I have passed on just because the style or size wasn't right. The author teaches you that with a little imagination, creativity and basic sewing skills, you can give new life to an oversized, out-of-style garment!The directions are clear and simply written, the pictures illustrate the projects with before and after photos. A fun, inspiring and enjoyable read!

I read the book twice and love the ideas and instructions. There is something for the novice as well as the long time sewer. I haven't sewn for 30 or more years so I am wanting to get familiar again with sewing and my new machine before I attempt any of the patterns but there are quite a few I am looking forward to trying.

Through the use of books like these, You Tube videos and lessons from an awesome Seamstress with 40+ years experience, I've FINALLY gotten back into the wonderful world of Sewing. This book is very helpful and user-friendly, the only reason I gave it 4 stars is because at 54, I wear primarily dresses knee-length or below and cut a little differently. However!! The book is useful and has some very good project ideas/directions. Maybe as I practice more I can figure out how to lengthen some the cute projects in the book.

I got this book in the late morning and couldn't put it down until I had read the whole thing!! I've been sewing for a long time and have done my own minor alterations here and there. A couple of years ago a friend introduced me to thrift shopping and I was hooked. I, too, felt "called" to by gorgeous discards that didn't fit, as Beth described. But as I looked at previously expensive former treasures, I wondered whether I could alter them but never took the leap (what was I thinking? It's so cheap!! Like no risk!!).I just happened to find Beth's book during an Amazon book browsing session and couldn't believe it--a book on something that was starting to give me great interest. I checked out her blog and felt like I had a new friend and acquired new stitching bravery so I ordered it. While reading it, I could tell as an experienced sewist myself that her techniques are good and sound. Now I can't wait for my next visit to a thrift store--it will be with new eyes and a new adventure. So many new ideas.... Sooooo excited. Thank you, Beth!!

This book is definitely not written by a fashion designer.It is a quick way to remake clothes from a thrift shop. Clearly, she does not use a tool to make her garments look straight. I see why using the grain line is so important.

I bought this book expecting it to give me some vibrant ideas for altering clothing I have which I no longer wear for one reason or another but I was bitterly disappointed. The Author appears to have the most boring clothing I've ever imagined and she changes them into dresses all a similar design! It took me a while to realize that she is American, which says a lot really! Sometimes a tea shirt, slightly altered, becomes the top of the dress and the most dull skirt becomes the bottom of the dress. Lots of elasticated waistbands and gathers too...certainly not for an experienced seamstress or anyone with any style flair! Avoid this one like the plague...I will return it.

I love Beth Huntington's "Renegade Seamstress" blog, as it has great ideas. I expected the book to be the same.However, the book is more of a primer on how to sew, and covers a lot of really similar projects - cut down a shirt, refashion the sleeves, and add a skirt so now you have a dress.

A few okay things in it but, seems like it is a bit repetitive. Clothes are old fashioned . I thought it would be really great. Very disappointed

Ok... Never bothered to review before (god, do I have homework just because I bought something?!) but seriously, this book has totally changed god I shop for, find, discover, enjoy, experience, play with, and LOVE clothes. Im a novice, and I can do some of this! BRILLIANT BOOK!

St what I needed