Read more
DIY Thrift Flip teaches how to shop and sew sustainably by providing how-tos for finding, upcycling, and customizing secondhand clothing with basic sewing instructions.
List of contents
CONTENTS
Introduction
How I Started Sewing and Altering Clothes
How to Use This Book
1 | Getting Started
Essential Materials
Setting Up a Workspace
Organizing Supplies
Sewing Machine Basics
Fabric Primer
2 | How to Shop for Alterable Clothes
Where to Shop
What Types of Clothes to Look For
What Can and Can’t Be Fixed
Gauging Size When You Can’t Try Something On
3 | Altering Basics
Using Patterns to Alter Clothes or Parts of Garments
Techniques for Altering Without Using Patterns
The Basics of Garment Altering
Adding Pieces: Sleeves, Hems, Pockets
How to Custom-Tailor an Altered Piece for a Great Fit
4 | Projects
Beginner to intermediate projects to inspire and guide you along your own thrift flips
Resources
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Index
About the author
April Yang is a Southern California–based thrift flipper who has an associate’s degree in fashion design from Palomar Community College and has built a substantial following on Instagram and YouTube, where she posts sewing tutorials and thrift flip process videos. Her flips include turning a thrift-store find into a chic maternity dress, a worn-out black dress into a chic evening dress with lace appliques, a blah gingham dress into a cute jumpsuit, and a graduation gown into a glamorous black cocktail dress. She started sewing in high school out of necessity, when she wanted to wear new clothes but couldn’t afford them. As she began to post her clothing flips on YouTube under the name Coolirpa, she found a like-minded community who was inspired by her creativity, and her popularity on social media soon skyrocketed. She lives in San Diego, California. To see more of her work, visit coolirpa.com, @coolirpaa on TikTok, and @coolirpa on YouTube and Instagram.
Summary
Flip it, Make it, Love it!
In DIY Thrift Flip: Sewing Techniques for Transforming Old Clothes into Fun, Wearable Fashions, expert thrift flipper April Yang, aka Coolirpa, gives you the ultimate guide to turning secondhand finds into trendy, one-of-a-kind fashions.
Perfect for anyone with big fashion dreams and a small budget, whether you’re looking to slay your style game or create an Insta-worthy wardrobe makeover, this book has everything you need to go from “meh” to “OMG!”
- Getting Started. Essential materials and tools, setting up a workspace, organizing supplies, sewing machine basics, and choosing fabric.
- How to Shop for Alterable Clothes. Where to shop, what types of clothes to look for, what can and can’t be fixed, and how to gauge size when you can’t try something on.
- Altering Basics. How to use patterns to alter clothes or parts of garments, techniques for altering without using patterns, the basics of garment altering, adding sleeves, hems, and pockets, and how to custom-tailor an altered piece for a great fit.
- Projects. A variety of beginner- to intermediate-level projects inspire and guide you along your own thrift flips.
- QR codes give you access to techniques, tutorials, and project details.
If you’re all about saving cash, helping the planet with sustainable style, and showing off your personal flair,
DIY Thrift Flip is your new BFF. It’s time to create, elevate, and SLAY!
Ready to make your thrifting dreams a reality? Start flipping today!
