Member Reviews
I already do sewing, but this is a brilliant book alongside my crafting.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Have you ever considered trying to upcycle or repurpose clothes? Then this is the book for you. Make overalls from two pieces. Deconstruct a dress and more. The author introduces the basics from stitches she uses and machine options. The only real issue here is that the machine options are very specific to the machine shown in the book and doesn't account for older machines. (I remember thinking that when I read it that not all the instructions would work with my older machine). There's good illustrations and visuals as well as a variety of projects at various levels. A good work to dip your toe into if you're considering upcycling.
Fashion visionary April Yang, also known as Coolirpa, is making her mark in the fashion world with innovative thrifting and flipping techniques that she explains thoroughly in her creativity manual, “DIY Thrift Flip: Sewing Techniques for Transforming Old Clothes into Fun, Wearable Fashion.”
Saving the environment one old or outdated garment at a time, Coolirpa creatively upcycles them into fashionable, stylish, wearable pieces. Her approach is both practical and artistic.
One of her signature techniques is altering and tailoring clothes to fit better and look more modern. Depending on the garment, Coolirpa may add sleeves or pockets or completely redesign it.
Overall, DIY Thrift Flip is not just a sewing manual but a confidence-boosting guide that encourages creativity and sustainability
JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author April Yang / Coolirpa, and Quarto Publishing Group / Quarry Books for this advanced reader's copy for review.
Cute book with lots of upcycling and DIY type ideas that are simple and easy to follow for people of all ages. Nicely written and some good ideas included.
A great book about how to repurpose clothes into something you would wear or customise items to your liking. Full of useful ideas from beginner projects to more experienced ones.
As a child of the 90s it's nice to see that DIY and flipping your old clothes or clothes that you've gotten from a thrift shop making a comeback. While this book was geared towards teens anyone can use it..
"DIY Thrift Flip" by April Yang, known as Coolirpa online, is a delightful and practical guide for anyone interested in revamping their wardrobe sustainably through thrifted fashion. This book is a treasure trove of sewing techniques and creative ideas that breathe new life into old clothes.
Yang's approach is inspiring. She begins with essential tools and sewing basics, making it accessible even for beginners. The chapters on how to shop for alterable clothes and basic altering techniques are particularly insightful, guiding readers on what to look for and how to transform thrift store finds into stylish garments.
The book is well-organized, with clear instructions complemented by detailed photographs that illustrate each step of the process. Yang covers a range of alterations from simple hems and adding sleeves to more intricate projects like embroidery and patchwork. The inclusion of QR codes for accessing additional tutorials and project details online is a thoughtful touch, enhancing the learning experience.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Really useful stuff !! Good for beginners like me. It doesn't assume you have a certain level of knowledge. I feel confident that I could revamp my wardrobe with this book. I really appreciate the fact that the models are not all pin thin either.
As a person who firmly believes in thrifting and getting the full use out of garments, this book was exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. The specific projects are clear and easy to follow and the first section includes helpful information about selecting garments and things to avoid. A solid guide.
This is a fun resource to have if you are new to altering clothing or if you are looking for new ways to spice up your wardrobe. Lots of fun ideas!
This was very cool. I love the idea of thrifting but usually pass on items because something just wasn’t right. This book gives ideas for making an item what works for you. There’s also do’s and don’ts what to buy and what not to.
I have followed Coolirpa for a while, so when I saw this book, I had to check it out. The book was well written. Much better than most clothing flip books I have read. The tips were great, even for someone who has been sewing a while, like me. Even if you aren't vibing with the particular examples she gives to do, you still learn enough to take away and go your own route. I really hope she gets to publish some more!
The book is aimed at teens/young adults mostly, but it is packed with tips helpful for beginners.
If you wanted to learn the craft, this book is gonna be a great start, especially since thrift flipping can be a bit more affordable compared to making clothes from scratch.
It gives a lot of information about how to use the sewing machine, but fear not, sewing by hand is an option as well, it just takes a bit more time, but if you want to sew, not having a sewing machine shouldn't stop you, at least for the beginning.
The instructions are easy to follow, with clear pictures. The projects may be a bit difficult to replicate at times, if you don't find the right base, but I think the ideas presented in the book can easily be adapted to other clothes.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion
"Thrift Flip" by April Yang will be great for anyone keen to explore the art of upcycling and rejuvenating old garments. April’s advice makes the process of transforming thrift store finds into unique, fashionable pieces accessible and exciting. In particular, her instructions on specialised techniques like sewing a godot (a method of adding a gusset for added manoeuvrability in a garment) are brilliant some of the clearest I have seen. The book is full of creative and adaptable project ideas, sfor instance, the inventive use of old curtains to craft new clothing (with a rather "Sound of Music" vibe).
What truly sets "Thrift Flip" apart is its welcoming tone and smart integration of preliminary shopping tips. Starting with how to pick the right items for flipping ensures that readers are well-equipped from the get-go. One issue for all books in this genre is the difficulty of finding the right starting point for the flips that are included as projects. However, the detail of the instructions and images helps bridge that gap and work even for beginners like me!
Thank you, April, for such an engaging and insightful read, and Netgally for the early digital read. I am looking forward to some crafting weekends!
This little book is GREAT. The first part is a beginner's introduction to sewing techniques and equipment, including tailoring tips, how to add pockets, and adding sleeves to a sleeveless garment, among others. After some tips on keeping an open mind while thrift shopping, there are basic instructions for 20 projects, ranked by degree of difficulty and accompanied by QR codes to more detailed online tutorials. The project styles are mostly for young people, but the techniques and ideas can be used for anything or anyone. My favorites include a lace-up corset made from a floral pillowcase, a flared swing skirt made from a man's shirt, and a tiered skirt upcycled from a set of window curtains.
Highly recommended.
This book has lots of pictures and good written descriptions of basic sewing techniques. It would be a good introduction to people who want to start seeing their own clothes but don't know where to start. It is also very relevant to the slow fashion movement and growing interest in thifting from all ages.
If you’re into repurposing clothing, then you will appreciate all the varied tips, suggestions, and guidelines the author provides.
The information given is much more than just sewing a hem or adding a button. The instructions are very detailed. There are also numerous pictures to help guide you during the process of tailoring your project. Be aware that it will take some time to finish and that you will need patience to complete it. Often it takes more work to tailor a piece than making one from scratch but it’s cheaper to get something from the thrift store.
This book gives a ton of information about repurposing clothing but I would suggest you watch some videos on the subject before and during creating your new clothes.
I received a free copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. It is a very simple book about how to sew and make your clothes out of items found in a thrift shop. Excellent pictures and instruction.
DIY Thrift Flip
Sewing Techniques for Transforming Old Clothes into Fun, Wearable Fashions
by April Yang; Coolirpa
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group
Rated: 4
Obtain: Buy
Back of Book: "Join the thrifting revolution! DIY Thrift Flip teaches you how to find, upcycle, and customize secondhand clothing for sustainable style with simple sewing instructions.
Expert thrift-flipper April Yang, aka Coolirpa, takes you through every phase of the process, including how to find the best clothes and fabrics and easy ways to alter and tailor shirts, dresses, pants, coats, and more.
Getting Started. Essential materials and tools, setting up a workspace, organizing supplies, sewing machine basics, and a concise fabric primer.
How to Shop for Alterable Clothes. Where to shop, what types of clothes to look for, what can and can’t be fixed, and how to gauge size when you can’t try something on.
Altering Basics. How to use patterns to alter clothes or parts of garments, techniques for altering without using patterns, the basics of garment altering, adding sleeves, hems, and pockets, and how to custom-tailor an altered piece for a great fit.
Projects. Beginner to intermediate-level projects inspire and guide you along your own thrift flips.
QR codes give you access to techniques, tutorials, and project details.
Also included are basic sewing techniques, sewing and clothing terminology, clothing silhouettes, how to measure the body, and more.
With DIY Thrift Flip, you’ll learn how to build a wardrobe of original pieces that shows off your unique style and boosts your creativity in the process."
Impressions: Get pumped! This is the book you've been waiting for.This book is a great resource for thrifters who are looking to alter items for fit or make something completely new. I like that there were 16 pages dedicated to supplies and settings, with descriptions on utilizing it all. This book includes information from a sewing standpoint but also how to thrift and what to look for. Finding the right pieces is crucial to your success. Not all patterns, fabrics, and styles will make a good recycled flip. The basic alterations to items are addressed however I feel like hemming pants and taking in waists could have been helpful additions. This book has a great overview of how you can thrift-flip your wardrobe. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience this book will give you a good foundation of knowledge. It is simply up to you, the reader, to take the first cut and make something new.
I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.
I got this book to see some cute ways of changing up something you already have into a different outfit.. like Marge Simpson with that Chanel suit.
I adore all of the cute, petit outfits.. One thing that really stood out to me was how the author also had some plus-sized items and model, and even a couple for the guys.
Could have totally been longer! 👗