The RE: Fashion Wardrobe - by Portia Lawrie (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Creative Book Awards 2024 Winner - Best Upcycling Book and Best New Author from Crafts Beautiful Magazine

Every year, tons of clothing are sent to landfill, much of it owing to fast fashion and our desire to throw away clothes that aren't considered 'fashionable'. In this book, learn how to alter or completely deconstruct once-loved clothes to create edited or entirely new garments and accessories that are not only chic but saving the planet.

• Beginning with advice on how to source and analyze existing clothes

• Founder of The Refashioners movement and sewing designer Portia Lawrie will then take you step by step through a collection of inspirational garments that she has reworked to show you just how easy it is to refresh and renew any piece of clothing you come across.

• In every project, accompanied by stage-by-stage photographs and invaluable tips, see how you can adapt and cut away at tops, trousers, dresses and more to build a stylish, modern capsule wardrobe that you can wear throughout the year.

Review Quotes

"Lawrie's breezy, can-do attitude is infectious. After all, how hard can it be to repurpose garments (owned or thrifted) to save the planet and pockets? For readers without sewing expertise, Lawrie advises at least getting familiar with the workings of a machine and its terminology. Her idea works: create 11 items of clothing--from boxy tunic shirt to duvet duster coat--that adhere to a color palette for mix-and-matchable potential. Upfront instructions couldn't be more thorough and are well illustrated too: building the wardrobe, sourcing garments, and working with fabrics, haberdashery, and hardware. Directions for constructing each piece are thorough, filled with step-by-step photographs, tips and tricks (e.g., how to remove jean rivets), opportunities for creativity (like reverse the skirt design and put buttons on the back), and more. There's even a bit of a photo runway, showing different combinations of garments. Best yet is Lawrie's information on techniques that go beyond pattern templates and her reminders that fitting (yes, self-measuring) is critical to buttons and holes, necklines and belts. No excuses!"-- Barbara Jacobs

Library Journal Review By Nanette Donohue

"Refashioning--the act of taking discarded clothing or textiles and restyling them into a new piece--is an eco-conscious way to reuse items that may be out of style, slightly worn, or simply unwanted. Lawrie, who created the Refashioners challenge to encourage sewists to use reclaimed textiles for garment sewing, shares her extensive knowledge of sustainable sewing in this thoughtful guide. She encourages sewists to create a "capsule wardrobe," a curated, practical collection of garments that are timeless and of good quality. There are several projects, from a simple sleeveless shift dress created from three T-shirts to a full-scale refitting of a pair of oversized blue jeans. Each activity includes step-by-step instructions with ample photographs, along with tips and tricks for sewing success. The aesthetic is generally minimalist, featuring loose-fitting, boxy garments in neutral colors, but sewists interested in experimenting with more fitted or embellished clothing can consult the techniques chapter for ideas on creating refashioned items that suit their personal style.
VERDICT Many sewists have an interest in sustainability and the environmental impact of fashion. This book provides thoughtful guidance for repurposing a variety of garments and textiles. Recommended for all sewing collections."

About the Author

Essex maker, blogger and creator of The Refashioners, Portia sews, knits and has been a regular contributor to Simply Sewing magazine since it launched in 20015. She's been writing her blog Makery (formerly Miss P) since 2009 and founded The Refashioners challenge, calling on bloggers to refashion a garment to highlight how cool, creative and ecologically sound refashioning old garments actually is. Portia's sewing super power is creating easy-to-sew, accessible-for-all garments for Simply Sewing magazine, often with no pattern needed so the maker can draft them to their own measurements. She lists family, hazelnut lattes, Indian food and singing into hairbrushes as her loves. Find her on Instagram @portialawrie.