DIY Thrift Flip

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.

Expert thrift-flipper April Yang, aka Coolirpa, takes you through every phase of the process, including how to find the best clothes and fabrics and easy ways to alter and tailor shirts, dresses, pants, coats, and more. Getting Started. Essential materials and tools, setting up a workspace, organizing supplies, sewing machine basics, and a concise fabric primer. 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. 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. Also included are basic sewing techniques, sewing and clothing terminology, clothing silhouettes, how to measure the body, and more. With DIY Thrift Flip, you'll learn how to build a wardrobe of original pieces that shows off your unique style and boosts your creativity in the process.