Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter
More than 20 projects and an array of gallery creations are imaginative and practical fashions-hardworking denim at play.Pair cast-off denim with a crafter’s unyielding creativity and you have a craft with limitless possibility. Denim is the perfect fabric for many arts and craft methods: it is durable, washable, and dyeable; it can be cut, sliced, shredded, poked, prodded, and cinched. Jean Therapy teaches basic techniques – building anything from skirts, bags, vests, and accessories – and illu
Rating: 
(out of 6 reviews)
List Price: $ 19.99
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2005 Print Ad Levi's Silver Tab Jeans Fashion | US $2.99 End Date: Tuesday Feb-07-2012 17:59:38 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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Review by brrejy for Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter
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If you enjoy doing your own thing – wearing clothes or accessories that are outside the traditional box – well, if you do, this book is for you.
First, hardcovered spiral – opens flat – nice paper stock – includes some patterns (on regular tissue type paper – not my kind of working patterns, but nice that they’re included) – well, a great start.
Next, this book includes information on needed tools and techniques (basic things like sceissors and seam ripper, etc – but also heavyweight steel pins, type of thread, and hand/machine needle requirements), as well as detailed information on measuring, including an ease chart and an international size chart (USA: size 6 = UK: size 8 = Europe: size 36 = Japan: size 9).
Their patterns are sized small (US 6-8), medium (US 10-12), large (US 14-16) – won’t fit everyone, but they do include info on adjusting patterns to fit. If you have a little experience, you should not have any problem altering these patterns to your size.
Many techniques for altering the denim fabric are included (bleaching, dyeing, applique, beading, distressing, adding other fabrics, and so on). There is an entire section called “Denim Butchery” – lots of fun.
There are a wide range of projects, including: necklace, wrist cuffs, tank top, bustier, halter top, a tote and a purse, several skirts (you can’t make just one), a hooded vest, a kimono jacket, and more.
Tips are interspersed throughout (for instance: “The chemical structure of the indogo dye”… – talking about the wearing process, and “cutting open a double-fold seam”…, and “If a seam is too bulky to place under the presser foot,”…).
A stitch Glossary is included, each with an illustration (applique stitch, satin stitch, chain stitch, Lazy Daisy stitch, and more).
Finally, what is my overal impression of this book… Well, eye-candy at first glance, then inspiration takes over, then pure satisfaction for having made this purchase. I’ve re-purpossed jeans from my own imagination for several years, so was very excited to find myself wonderfully impressed – this book takes it to another level.
Yes, this is beautifully unconventional and wonderfully outside the box, and not for the meek or timid – these projects are meant to be seen.
Review by Susan Groetchen for Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter
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This well illustrated book is perfect for all those who have a garage of jeans that don’t fit anymore. Many wonderful ideas abound and patterns. Highly recommended for the “green” set”. So recycle those jeans and buy this book!.
Review by Christie Churchill for Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter
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I bought this book because I am working on making a denim and lace wedding dress that is a two piece. I thought that I would beable to come up with at least one idea from this book. Never did I think I would come up with a lot more than that. As one reviewer mentions some of the paterns are “out there” but if you have an imagination (which is why you would be reconstructing denim in the first place I would hope) Most of these patterns can be made to function even for a 20 to 30 something person (not just “jr high, high school kids”-previous reviewer). I have so many ideas now that I want to make more outfits for me.
Review by DigitalLux for Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter
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The projects in this book range from simple (and practical) to the down-right unwearable. The instructions are clear, it is assumed you have a very basic understanding of sewing, and the photos show enough detail that you should be able to figure it out if the instructions don’t make sense. The project ideas alone are worth the price of the book – they will definitely get your creativity going! My only “gripe” with this book is the finishing techniques (or lack there of) used on the garments. This is probably intentional, however, I tend to like my seams finished with no exposed edges/threads/etc – something that can be easily remedied when creating these garments. Overall, I would say buy the book and enjoy!
Review by motzil for Jean Therapy: Denim Deconstruction for the Conscientious Crafter
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I took a chance on this book, based on the title. It was not quite what I hoped for….not much useful info and kind of “out there”. Might have appeal for jr. high and high school population.