Shannon Okey - AlterNation: Transform. Embellish. Customize.

ALTERNATION

Transform. Embellish. Customize.

Shannon Okey + Alexandra Underhill

NORTH LIGHT BOOKS
Cincinnati,Ohio

AlterNation copyright 2007 by Shannon Okey and Alexandra Underhill. Manufactured in China. All rights reserved. The patterns, drawings and schematics in this book are for the personal use of the reader. Under no circumstances may they be resold or republished in any format, whether print or electronic, without the express written consent of the publisher. For pattern licensing information, please contact the authors at P.O. Box 112312, Cleveland, OH 44111 or via e-mail at authors@alternationbook.com. No other part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote a brief passage in review. Published by North Light Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc., 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. (800) 289-0963. First edition.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Okey, Shannon, 1975-

AlterNation / Shannon Okey and Alexandra Underhill.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-58180-978-7 (alk. paper)
eISBN: 978-1-4402-2500-0

1. Machine sewing. 2. Tailoring. 3. Clothing and dress. I. Underhill, Alexandra. II. Title.

TT713.O385 2007
646.2044--dc22

2006102320

Distributed in Canada by Fraser Direct
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Tel: (905) 877-4411

Distributed in the U.K. and Europe by
David & Charles
Brunel House, Newton Abbot, Devon,
TQ12 4PU, England
Tel: (+44) 1626 323200,
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Distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link
P.O. Box 704, South Windsor,
NSW 2756 Australia
Tel: (02) 4577-3555

Model Photography: Slade Photography,
sladephotography.com

Stylist: Dina Amsden
All Other Photography: Christine Okey

www.fwbookstore.com

METRIC CONVERSION CHART

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Alexandra and Shannon would both like to thank Slade Photography in Los Angeles and Christine Okey in Cleveland for brilliant model and how-to shots, respectively, and all the thrift stores of greater Cleveland that yield riches for us on a regular basis. The model photography knocked both of us out of our chairs and those were just the test shots! Additional, extra-special thanks to model Samantha Grace for helping us work out the initial shots.

Thanks to Sarah Patterson for assisting at the photo shoots and pinch-hitting as a model when time was tight. (Thanks to all our friends, friends friends and neighbors who got drafted into modeling, for that matter.) Sarah actually designed the only piece in the book not sewn by either of us (Pieced Pants); we handed her a stack of stuff during a shoot and said: Here you go, see what you can make with these. Shes an exemplary stitcher, a designer in her own right, and youll no doubt be seeing her name in more places soon. Megan Engelmann took over some of Shannons sewing duties during the editing phase of the book, which made a big difference in getting things done. Arabella Proffer Vendetta drew the amazing illustrations, painted the cowboy boots and modeled, too. Shes multi-multitalented, just like Christine Okey (Shannons mom), who painted the suit jacket and helped stitch a few things together when she wasnt doing the photography.

Tamas Jakab? Well, he gets love from both of us for helping edit and format the how-to shots, but superspecial thanks from Shannon for being the best boyfriend in the world, and taking over many household duties during Heavy Writing and Heavy Editing modes.

The rest of our extended networks of friends and family also offered their love and support, which is appreciated more than they will ever know.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Just who are we, anyway? Were Alexandra (Xan) Underhill and Shannon Okey.

Xan (top right) is an ultratalented sculptor in all mediums, including fabric. Shes done costuming for many productions youve heard of (like Cirque du Soleil) and some that you havent yet. Shes best known for her tie skirts (the if you want to make your own), which she demoed on crafty TV show Uncommon Threads, and her stilt dancing. Xan teaches art workshops in residencies all over the place, has a fabric stash to die for, and is a regular at Burning Man. This is her first book.

Shannon (bottom right) is a fiber fanatic who knits, spins, crochets, dyes, felts and much more. Shes got multiple spinning wheels, knitting machines and looms, as well as fiber by the pound in her studio. Shannons best known for her Knitgrrl books and several other crafty titles (see ). She has appeared on Uncommon Threads, Knitty Gritty and Crafters Coast to Coast, coordinates the Cleveland edition of indie craft fair Bazaar Bizarre, is a columnist for knit.1 magazine and is a frequent contributor to magazines such as CRAFT,Adorn and Yarn Market Knitting News.

Together, weve worked on a number of projects, such as a touch-sensitive fabric iPod wedding dress called iDo for the computational couture show Seamless, and of course, this book. Our goal for AlterNation is to inspire you, to teach techniques you can apply to your own projects and encourage you to share the love.

With that, we invite you to continue the crafty dialogue at www.alternationbook.com. Its like a twenty-four-hour party with glue guns and sergers instead of cocktails and canaps.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Do-it-yourself fashion is the only reliable way to avoid looking like a mall store exploded in your closet. Whether you cant pick up a needle without spilling blood or can operate a sewing machine in your sleep, this book will give you tips, tricks and project ideas to create your own unique styles with maximum impact and minimal cost.