Second-Time Cool: The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater

Lisa Arsenault is a high-school English teacher who is involved in
several ministry campaigns to increase literacy.

Recycling used clothes and embellishing them with embroidered, knitted,
and crocheted pieces and button, pompom, and tassel details is the
subject of this book for DIY fashionistas. This process, very much in
vogue, is known as customization and is practised by cutting-edge
designers.

After describing the history of recycling clothes, the authors turn to
working with wool, the world’s oldest natural fibre (and the best
material for matting together so cut edges won’t unravel after it’s
been washed in hot water). Preliminary instructions describe how to wash
wool and appropriate stitches to sew pieces together, then detailed
procedures are given for making several projects: wrist and leg warmers,
mittens and gloves, skirts, slippers and ballet slippers, bags, reworked
sweaters, and toques. The basics of embroidery follow, with information
on materials, transferring patterns, and instructions for nine of the
most common and useful stitches. The beginning knitting stitches (cast
on, knit, purl, increase/decrease, cast off) and crocheting stitches
(chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet) are described; these can
be used for creating pieces that enhance the recycled garment. Knitting
with beads, strip-knitting, and shag-knitting are addressed, and one
project is included (a knitted hat with and without earflaps). One
crocheting project is also included (scalloped edging on a skirt). Final
punchy details, such as appliqué roses, yarn buttons, pompoms, fringe,
and tassels complete the book.

Colour photographs illustrate the individual projects. The garments are
then mixed and matched and photographed on models of both sexes. Most of
the clothes have a retro, unstructured aesthetic, and the decision to
photograph the models in urban, rather grungy, locations to reinforce
the edgy, punk feel of the garments was a clever one. The photography is
particularly eye-catching. Some patterns and templates are included in
the book as well as a list of recommended reading.

Recycling, retro clothing, and self-expression in apparel are all
currently hot trends. The publication of Second-Time Cool is very timely
for fashion-conscious teenagers who want to express their individuality
through the creation of one-of-a-kind clothing. Recommended.