Weekend Review: Generation T

Generation T: 108 ways to transform a t-shirt / Megan Nicolay
NY: Workman, c2006.
258 p.

This is a book I've owned for a long time. Although published in 2006, it has a very 90s grunge/punk feel to it, reminding me of the PostPunk Kitchen blog and books of the same period.

It's a fun book for anyone who might not be an accomplished sewist, who just wants to reuse and upcycle old tees. I gave it to my teenage niece when she got interested in developing her own fashion sense and she liked it.

There are a variety of upcycling projects in here -- from shirts to skirts to bags and pillows. I have to say that many, if not most, of the designs will appeal mainly to young women, and not to the middle aged or those who prefer a more finished look to one's clothes. There's a lot of cut and tie going on.

But it's a creative spark for those interested in remaking clothing, and has some fun ideas that can be adapted into something more to a reader's taste if the original doesn't appeal. I have a feeling that this would be a hit for a craft group, or for people wanting to do something a little different. These days most of these kind of t-shirt projects can be found online, but I think this book still has enough interest to be a fun and quirky read.

I really can't say that this is a staple for me as a sewer, but I have kept it for over a decade so there is something there that appeals! If you like a free-wheeling, non-patterned compilation of upcycling ideas, you might like this book. There is a second book as well, but I find that the projects in that one are reaching -- this book kind of reaches the limit of practical or usable ideas for me.

Definitely something to appeal to the newbie or the young person interested in tackling their excess fast fashion and learning sewing basics at the same time.


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For a recent post in which I talk about t-shirt refashioning and share more links, check out this discussion about scarf making with old tees!