There are so many fun refashion tutorials on blogs, but sometimes I like flipping through a book! We just moved to a new area and I am ready to check out our library’s selection so I made a list of books on refashioning clothing. I’d love to hear any firsthand experience with these; I skimmed through the reviews and made notes too. 

You will want to check out these blog posts too!

• check out all the refashion tutorials I’ve written
• 12+ recycled leather projects to sew
• 24+ Men’s button down shirt refashion ideas

You can pin this list of books on refashioning clothing with this link and collage:

Definitely see if your library has any of these, and/or your local book shop; but if you’re buying online, get a free trial Prime membership and ship the books to you in 2 days!

Books on refashioning clothing & upcycle sewing

The Refashion Handbook: Refit, Redesign, Remake for Every Body

Notes from the reviews:

• The author wears the clothes – no professional models!
• A few of the reviews made it sound like the steps and technical aspects are glossed over.
• Several reviews mention that there aren’t any pants refashions.

DIY Wardrobe Makeovers: Alter, Refresh & Refashion Your Clothes – Step-by-Step Sewing Tutorials

Notes from the reviews:

• A few reviews say that it focuses more on sewing instruction than refashion tutorials
• Notes that there aren’t any “sloppy shortcuts” taken so if refashion tutorials with hem tapes drive you nuts, this might be a book for you!

The Chic Girl’s Guide to a One-of-a-Kind Wardrobe: Altering and Embellishing Hemlines, Sleeves, and More

Notes from the reviews:

• A focus on modest, chic styles
• Lots of notes about how thorough the tutorials are
• Reviewers not that there aren’t any pants refashions and she only focuses on making clothes smaller (not larger)

ReSew: Turn Thrift-Store Finds into Fabulous Designs

Notes from the reviews:

• Emphasizes ideas and angles for readers to tweak things to their own taste
• A few comments that the finished garments look homemade (as opposed to handmade)
• A mix of refashions & upcycles

101 Tees: Restyle + Refashion + Revamp

Notes from the reviews:

• Easy projects

Stylish Remakes: Upcycle Your Old T’s, Sweats and Flannels into Trendy Street Fashion Pieces

Notes from the reviews:

• It sounds like this focuses on embellishing, more than sewing

Cut-Up Couture: Edgy Upcycled Garments to Sew

Notes from the reviews:

• Edgier fashions with a more modern look
• Disagreement if there are any looks for plus-size sewists, in the reviews

ReFashioned: Cutting-Edge Clothing from Upcycled Materials

Notes from the reviews:

• There are NO tutorials, just inspiration and interviews
• Super high fashion, edgy designs

Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt

Notes from the reviews:

• Lots of no sew projects
• A ton of ideas & tutorials
• After looking inside, I think this skews young as far as the clothes go

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials Plus Tips & Resources for Earth-Friendly Stitching

Notes from the reviews:

• Several good giftable projects
• A diverse selection of tutorials that appeal to a wide audience

Little Green Dresses: 50 Original Patterns for Repurposed Dresses, Tops, Skirts, and More

Notes from the reviews:

• Lots of focus on how to draft patterns before sewing
• A complaint or two about the projects mainly being short dresses
• Someone in a Facebook group said the drafting instructions didn’t work in her size, and that they seemed to be geared at a size 8 or smaller

Upcycle

Sweater Surgery: How to Make New Things with Old Sweaters

Notes from the reviews:

• Overwhelmingly positive reviews
• A wide range of tutorials with several good gift-ables

The Upcycled T-Shirt: 28 Easy-to-Make Projects That Save the Planet • Clothing, Accessories, Home Decor & Gifts

Notes from the reviews:

• Mostly positive but unspecific reviews
• A mix of project ideas

The Sweater Chop Shop: Sewing One-of-a-Kind Creations from Recycled Sweaters

Notes from the reviews:

• All of the wool is felted, giving it a specific look that you may or may not like
• Reviews note more emphasis on stuffed animals over clothes
• Lots of positive reviews

Did I miss one of your favorite books on refashioning clothing? Please let me know in the comments!