T Shirt Makeovers

Take your old or weary, new and funky or just plain cotton comfy T-shirt and turn it into a fashion statement.

This book presents an unprecedented opportunity for people to hear from a simultaneously ostracized, ridiculed, and ignored group: fat Americans. Find out how the members of this very diverse group of people describe their actual lived experiences, quality of life, hopes and dreams, and demands. Our society is body-size obsessed. The result? An environment where "fat people" are consistently shunned and discussed disparagingly behind their backs. Although fat people typically bear the brunt of the institutionalized oppression around being oversized, pervasive closeminded attitudes about body size in America affect everyone of all sizes—from people who are shamed for being too thin to those whose lives revolve around the fear of becoming fat. This book talks about a topic that is important to all readers, regardless of their physical size, providing an anthology of first-person accounts of what it's like to be part of the fat-acceptance movement and on the front lines of activism in the "war on obesity." The Politics of Size: Perspectives from the Fat Acceptance Movement supplies a frank discussion of the issues surrounding being fat and the associated health concerns—both physical and mental—and reframes the discussion about obesity from a medical issue to a social one. The essays serve to correct misinformation about obesity and fat people that is commonly accepted by the general public, such as the idea that "fat" and "healthy" are mutually exclusive. Subject matter covered includes fat-friendly workplace policies; fat dating experiences; and the intersections of being fat and also a person of color, a person with disabilities, a transgender person, or a member of another sub-group of society.

Megan Nicolay revolutionized the T-shirt. She repurposed it, reinterpreted it, reinvented it—and created the #1 craft book in the nation, Generation T, which continues to dominate. Now she explores new ways to slash a tee, scrunch a tee, and sew a tee with Generation T: Beyond Fashion. A collection of 120 projects for every occasion, it takes the humble yet ever-malleable tee in dozens of new directions—from baby gifts to pet accessories, stuff for the home, the car, the road, the boyfriend. The rallying cry is: Don't buy; DIY. The result is hip, imaginative, crafty, and very green. There's a basic primer on techniques—knotting, sewing, braiding, lacing—plus a full tutorial on embellishing. And then an amazing range of projects. There’s fashion, of course: all-new halters and tank tops, sexy gaucho pants, a baby-doll dress, twisted shrug, and hooded scarf. But also baby gifts: Jumper for Joy, Baby Back Bib, Wild Thing Blankie. Home décor: plant hanger, wine cozy, toilet seat cover, ruffled apron, and Spastic Plastic (grocery tote). Grill mitts and bolo ties for the guys, doggie tee and stuffed cat toys, a steering wheel cover for the car, the Ants Go Marching (picnic blanket), and Beach Bum (beach caddy). Projects range from the simplest no-sew to intermediate, and all have easy-to-follow illustrated directions—plus, how to throw your own Tee Party. Time to get your craft on.

From bestselling author Frances O’Roark Dowell, a “funny and winning” (Kirkus Reviews) tale of one teen’s quest for normalcy—and the much more exciting detours she takes along the way. Janie Gorman is smart and creative and a little bit funky…but what she really wants to be is normal. Because living on an isolated farm with her modern-hippy parents is decidedly not normal, no matter how delicious the goat cheese. High school gives Janie the chance to prove to her suburban peers that she’s just like them, but before long she realizes normal is completely overrated, and pretty dull. If she’s going to learn how to live large (and forget the haters), Janie will have to give up the quest and make room in her life for things from the fringe—like jam band, righteous chocolate, small acts of great bravery, and a boy named Monster. Ten Miles Past Normal is a quirky road map for life—and also a reminder that detours are not about missing out, but about finding a new way home.

A must-have guide for bargain-hunting fashionistas looking to make a statement without sabotaging their budgets. With this easy-to-use resource, savvy shoppers can cultivate upscale, upcycled wardrobes at thrift and consignment store prices. Shoppers will learn to navigate the racks of their local consignment shop, spot name brands like Versace, Dior, and Burberry, select the best quality items, and repair secondhand clothes that need some love. Photo-filled chapters on thrifted handbags, jewelry, scarves, and other accessories show what's available and give tips for distinguishing quality items from fakes. Interviews with expert tailors, dry cleaners, shoe repair wizards, and fabric-dyeing professionals explain what makes a damaged piece of clothing worth renovating. Before-and-after photos show what can be done to refashion less-than-perfect finds.

Designers Carmen Webber, a contestant on Season 4 of Bravo's Project Runway, and Carmia Marshall, aka Sistahs of Harlem, have created a sensation with their fabulous blend of street couture and uptown chic, as seen in the pages of many fashion magazines and on the backs of many style-conscious fashionistas. In Denim Mania Carmen and Carmia teach you to make 25 of their hottest designs, with patterns and instructions so easy you can start the project in the morning and wear it out that night. With their unique blend of vintage and couture designs you can transform your denim, both old and new, into fabulous tops, bottoms, jackets, and accessories. Their designs reflect a fusion of many influences--including the sassy street style of New York City, distant world cultures, and the rich cultural legacy of Harlem. Full-color photographs, how-to illustrations, sketches, and complete step-by-step instructions accompany each project. Denim Mania shows you how to transform basic blue jeans into sassy denim couture in no time at all--so you can make it today and wear it tonight!

A plain white or colored T-shirt is a blank canvas waiting to be turned into a wearable work of art. This follow-up to the wildly successful THE GREAT T-SHIRT BOOK is brimming with fantastic and easy ways to paint, stamp, stencil, tie-dye, marble, batik, screen print, and applique a one-of-a-kind clothing item. 80 color photos. 20 bandw illustrations.

Transform old T-shirts into trendy accessories--in 60 minutes or fewer! Creating something useful and stylish doesn't have to take ages or require expensive supplies. From an Easy Twisted Headband to Round Lounge Pillows, DIY T-Shirt Crafts teaches you how to repurpose old T-shirts into 50 beautiful projects worthy of showing off. Complete with step-by-step instructions and stunning photographs, each T-shirt craft is simple enough for beginners to recreate and can be finished in 60 minutes or fewer. Guided by Adrianne Surian, the crafter behind the popular blog Happyhourprojects.com, you'll turn this wardrobe staple into trendy, one-of-a-kind accessories, including: Ruffled Rosette Hair Barrette Braided Chain Statement Necklace Fringed Infinity Scarf Galaxy Bleached No-Sew Tote Bag Aromatherapy Neck Pillow Whether you're cleaning out your closet, want to personalize your look, or just found a hole in your favorite top, it's time to take your tees to the next level with these fashion-forward projects!