New Dress a Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don'ts

I found this book pretty disappointing and am returning it. If you have been thrifting for a while and already know the basics of sewing and alterations, there's not really anything new here. And if you want your altered stuff to look sharp, this book is no help at all. Even the pictures of the author's finished products look sloppy and childish. For example, when removing sleeves she just says to fold the remaining raw edge under and sew it down. Anyone with the slightest bit of sewing knowledge will know that this will not create a finished look with most fabrics and that a binding or facing is necessary. At best, what this book contains is a list of predictable ideas for very oversimplified alterations, all of which could probably fit on a single page. But it has been expanded into a glossy book that treats different basic methods of hemming as different "looks." Ideas like using extra fabric to create a self-belt, removing and re-purposing embellishments, or cutting the neck out of a sweatshirt are just no-brainers the barely even require a how-to. While I can't imagine anyone but a complete novice finding this book interesting, at the same time I don't even think many of the instructions and illustrations on basic sewing techniques would really be adequate for learning to get a decent result. I own a ton of DIY books for varying skill levels and most have something to offer just about anybody, but I really found this one pretty useless.

As a follower of the New Dress a Day blog, I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this book. When the UPS truck pulled up yesterday, I knew what it was bringing. Though I was leaving the house, I made my husband drive so I could read it right away. I was not disappointed. The photos are super fun and the projects range from t-shirt casual to black tie and the book includes a whole section on accessories. Marisa also shows a whole range of refashioning skills, from hemming and fixing neck lines to dyeing, using iron-on transfers and using trim and embellishments to fix little problem areas. There's even a no-sew section for crafty-yet-not-into-sewing folks. Though you can find a lot of these tips on her blog, the book puts them all in one convenient spot, beautifully displayed. Thanks, Marisa!Written by Erin Moore.

This book is super helpful and cool! While some DIY books can be a bit snooze worthy, this book is ascetically pleasing with all the colors and multitude of pictures. It also gives first hand accounts of what you shouldn't do. Marisa has done all the things in her book and has made some mistakes during her learning process and shares those with you so that you don't do the same! It not only gives you different ideas for Goodwill castoffs, but if you are new to sewing it devotes a whole chapter to sewing basics and tips! It also covers more than just dresses. It has headbands and other accessories along with what to do with old sweatshirts and t-shirts! I bought this for myself and would definitely, definitely buy it for others!

I was super, super excited for this book to come out, as I have been following Marisa's clever blog for years. This book has her usual great ideas, and is divided sensibly into different sections, like Mu-Mu's or Quick Fixes. If you are new to Marisa's craftiness and want to learn to upcycle your clothes, you will enjoy her ideas a lot. But I was a bit disappointed, because many of the after pictures did not show a full picture of the new item, instead focusing on arty poses. There also aren't many step by step pictures, which she features heavily on her blog. So if you are new to sewing and need a bit more visual hand holding, this probably isn't the book for you.Overall though, a very fun book to look at, and Marisa's usual fun personality shines here.

New Dress a Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don'ts  This book is a must have for todays economy. Who doesn't like to save money? It is cool to shop at Goodwill, Salvation Army, & other thrift stores. You can get "new", stylish, inexpensive clothes just by transforming them. This book will show you how. It is a fun read. I recommend this without any reservations. It would make a perfect gift for anyone that wants to enhance their closets for little money, or anyone who wants to save some green $$$ by going green (reduce,reuse,recycle,repurpose). Lastly, if said clothes were purchased from a charity type store then EVERYONE wins. Can you tell I love this book & everything it stands for?

This book had some great ideas for taking thrift store/rummage sale (or back of the closet) finds and making them wearable with very little effort. I am an advanced home sewer but I am all for anything that could save some time. The instructions are clear. I would have prefered clearer before and after photos but it didn't really matter. At the end she included The Best Photo Essay ever on ways to style a LBD (Little Black Dress) I have ever seen. Worth the price of the book for just that one feature. Very inspiring. For those who love fashion but don't have a lot of sewing skill this is a terrific book. NNG

I have been following Marisa's blog for a few years. Her techniques for finishing have matured, her ideas are amazing, and she is a real success story. She is opened up the sewing world at her young age to many folks. We NEED young women sewing so it does not die out as an art. And what a money saver if you can even do some of what Marisa and her guests do. YOU GO GIRL!!Marisa is still having multiple book signings, her weekly giveaway, been on TV and has lots of folks inspired by her inventiveness and genius. If you sew or want to....watch her blog and get this book!!

This book was exactly as I expected...full of original re makes. I love the personality that Marisa brings to her book, her before & after pics are too cute. I ended up visiting her blog & now I'm addicted! If you are looking for an original diy book that will help you re use your wardrobe, this is an excelllent book. This is good for beginning sewers who don't want things to be too technical, but want great results.

Nice book, not for learning how to sew but just to get some good ideas. The blog was much better, but if you haven't followed it you might be interested.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially Marisa's style of writing.Fun and I picked up lots of tips. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to enhance their wardrobe.Cheers!