Cathie Filian

nonfiction; craft/sewing. Each of these ideas is portrayed by one or two large pictures of the finished product and very, very minimal instruction. If you already know your way around a sewing machine, you can probably figure it out--but then again, you wouldn't find much new in here anyway. If you don't know the first thing about sewing, you can still probably tackle most of these, especially those that rely on store-bought low- or no-sew-type embellishments (i.e., buttons or iron-ons, etc.), but you probably could've come up with the same result by just wandering the aisles of your local fabric/craft store and following the directions on the package (for help with the more advanced techniques, or even the easy techniques, I'd advise you to search the net a bit for a step-by-step tute). For most of these projects you'll also need some help or experience with working with stretchy knit fabrics, because jersey doesn't always cooperate with what you've got in mind.

The other thing I'd like to make clear (in case you couldn't tell from the publisher's description) is that this book is all about embellishing tees that already fit you and will NOT give you any tips on how to make unfitting tees fit better. The 101 ideas are all variations on the following: [a] sewing on (or ironing on/otherwise attaching) of ruffles/fabric/ribbons/other embellishments, [b] painting/stamping and/or dyeing, [c] appliques, and [d] embroidery.

Review, revisited: What I wrote 7 years ago still stands. But on revisiting this book for ideas, I found the variety of pre-purchased styles of t-shirts to be marginally helpful for someone who has become used to "fixing" all of her uninspired work-issued shirts. I am still not very fond of ruffles or painting/dying, and don't have a lot of excess time to hand-launder the more delicate embellishments (appliques, embroidery, etc.), but I am upgrading my rating from "1 star-didn't like" to "2 stars-it's OK." I probably wouldn't recommend the purchase of this one over another book that goes into more detail with the various techniques, but if you detest pinterest and can get this from your local library, it could be worth a flip-through.… (más)

s almost everyone on the planet knows babies go through a LOT of these one piece things called "onesies" when they are new, sweet smelling (most of the time)round armfuls of pure joy. Lets face it too these onesies are really boring and generic unless you shell out big bucks to buy the haute varieties at places that might remind me of Rodeo Drive for infants - you get the idea!

Cathie Filian begins this book with a wonderful dose of the basics - what sizes equate to how many pounds of the most perfect baby alive - things like that. She has an excellent section on dyeing; prepping he fabric to take the dye, mixing the dye (she uses simple cold water packets), how to make more than just one color of dye using only one color packet, and how to care for the garment after it is dyed and before it is worn. Well thought out and well written - this is an excellent section - even for those who may have some experience using dyes.

What follows are 101 ways to change the dull white look of onesies. There are so many ways that these utilitarian, necessary baby wear can be altered in small, inexpensive ways. Each section in this book offers a very well done set of basics on the particular technique. Who could have thought that there were so many ways to to makes these garments fun?!

Some of the listed ways to alter onesies to suit included in the book are: Dyeing, Painting, Embroidery, Applique, Ribbons and Trims, Iron-Ons, Patches, Cutting, Ripping, Tearing, adding Bling, special holiday motifs and a special section for bathing. There is even a section on how to throw a "snappy Baby Shower". Each section includes approximately 10 ideas for making a special onesie for the cutest little you know. The books has a great section of applique and stencil like design so that you don't have to start from the beginning.

I was not sure what I would think of this book when I had a look at it because I am not around babies much but I have to say that I was, simply fascinated and wowed by the great ideas in this book. This is a book that will appeal to mother's of infants of course, but also to friends and relatives of babies. It's a fun book, crammed with information and ideas. This is one well thought out book that is really sure to please all of us who love babies - babies who are stylin' !… (más)