Altered Clothing: Hip Fixes And Transformations With a Needle And Thread by Tim Maggio and Kathleen Maggio (2006, Paperback)

“Altered Clothing”, with the subtitle “Hip Transformations with A Needle and Thread” offers many fun and creative ideas for changing articles of old clothing into newer, updated or differently styled garments.

The book begins with clearly presented suggestions for a Basic Sewing Kit (notions and supplies) and also a chapter on Basic Sewing stitches for hand sewing techniques that will be needed for completing the projects in the book. There are also some introductory thoughts on materials to use for embellishing or clothing makeovers including, beads, sequins, belts, buckles, buttons, soutache braid, cords, ribbon and bias tape. The transformations in the book mostly involve simple and inexpensive materials, and creatively using garment parts, and structural changes like removing sleeves to make something into a different style or even a different type of garment. The projects have creative titles like “His Polo to Her Polynesia” and include making a stained skirt into a new “Wavy Wonder”, adding embroidery appliqués to Jeans, making a Tunic into a Vest, making a tiered Skirt into a Sundress, or making a stretched out Tee shirt into a “Sparkling Halter” (the one pictured on the cover of the book).


Most of the clothing alterations in the book involve careful planning, cutting and adding trims and embellishments with Hand Sewing and stitching techniques (a Sewing Machine is not even necessary) which helps keep the projects simple and clear without being overly complicated.

It certainly has many well presented ideas and if you are interested in reworking or redesigning articles of clothing this is an enjoyable book.

(136 pages)

Really fun ideas for up-cycling those wardrobe or thrift store pieces that sit in your closet but never make it into your wardrobe. Whether you are an experienced seamstress looking for some fun ideas or a novice just picking up a need and thread--Altered Clothing will help you create some fun in your wardrobe.

The direction are easy to follow and the clothing is actually wearable and nice looking.

I love to create something new from a cast off. This book is a good way to turn an out dated item or thrift shop find into something new and useful again.They are also 1 of a kind once created.I love to hear "Where did you get that from".

This book is about giving you ideas. If you already know how to taylor clothes, then you know how to jazz up or remake a garment. Excellent tips.