Steampunk Your Wardrobe: Easy Projects to Add Victorian Flair to Everyday Fashions

by Calista Taylor

Steampunk your Wardrobe offers do it yourself-ers and crafters an easy and comprehensive, step-by-step guide to capturing a steampunk aesthetic in their fashions. Start with simple, easy-to-make projects, such as embellishing clothing you may already have, and proceed to more complicated alterations. Included are projects for steampunk jewelry, accessories, and clothing.

Genres: Steampunk, Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing, Art, Fashion

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Calista Taylor is an agented author of steampunk/gaslight romance and non-fiction, with a steampunk clothing craft book due out in September 2012 and now available for pre-order. When not running things over with a sewing machine or lacing herself into a corset, Calista can be found tapping away on her laptop, tormenting her characters, and riddling the streets of Victorian London with dead bodies and heaving bosoms. She’s also a creative cook who can't follow recipes, a versatile crafter, and a happy geek.

Reviews

[Christmas Carol ꧁꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★

It's time!

Well, time to start getting ready! Our town's Steampunk festival is happening in November and it's a big one - our town's 150 year anniversary.

Me last year.

I want to go to a bit more trouble this time.

I've managed to acquire a beautiful tails jacket for my husband for only $5. (I already have one) at the same time I bought a beaded Victorian look handbag. Time to get creative!

This book is designed for someone with negligible creative/sewing skills - in other words me! If I can't get hold of a top hat (& what I think of as a Dr Livingstone style explorer hat for my husband) I may use the enclosed pattern for a mini top hat for me.

For beginners only!

[Jude Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot sew. I failed Home Ec. Seriously. But this book lays out really easy and beautifully illustrated instructions on how to make some basic pieces to, indeed, steampunk your wardrobe. Some of the ideas are really simple, and I will try them. Others I'm too timid to attempt - but someone with a hint of ability to use a sewing machine could do them all.

I especially liked that most of these pieces take ordinary things we'd normally just throw away and transform them into unique and beautiful items. See that brown capelet? Isn't it gorgeous? Don't you want something similar? Do you have an old coat you never wear anymore? You're set.

Recommended for anyone who wants to add a touch of steampunk and doesn't know where to start, particularly those who are crafty and/or can sew.

[Jean Oram]

My friend Calista Taylor created this book and I was lucky enough to see the sneak peek on some of her creations. So much talent! I can't wait to see the book and try some of my own alterations.

Later note: Lots of quick and easy modifications for ANYONE to try on their wardrobe to give it a flash of unique, personal reflection, or a smattering of steampunk. I love the step-by-step instructions. It's the kind of book that while inspiring you, also boosts your belief in yourself--you can do it!! And here's how.

I got this book for my mom for Christmas and she's making the cloth flowers to add to a scarf. Very cool!

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always liked the fashion style of steampunk. Its very creative and interesting. Good read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is that it gives you relatively easy projects to add a steampunk/victorian look to your outfits without having to search for a bunch of the materials needed. Seeing as there aren't many gears and crazy steampunkish items needed for most projects this book does lean further towards victorian looks but that can be altered based on the accessories you can use in place of the ones suggested. Unlike other books similar to this one that I have read there are a large number of projects I'd love to tryout instead of just one or two. Plus the ease at which I can obtain most of the materials sets this book above other such "steampunk" project books.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library and went through it right away hoping to find something fun to make. Then I looked at the back of the book and saw that the retail price of the book is $19.99. If somebody is interested in this book I highly suggest buying it used or finding it at the library. The projects are almost too simple and I'm not much of a sewer or crafter. I guess if the purpose of the book was to get me on the computer and find online projects, then it did it's job.

[frogfairie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a good variety of user-friendly projects to try, even for us non-sewing types. =)

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic diy book with a range of project ideas that could be expanded upon to make customized accessories. The projects aren't super complex and a lot of the photos are poor quality.

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author provides a great definition of steampunk -- a Victorian feel with a modern twist, but always open to interpretation…from something Victorian in a traditional sense to something that has more of a post-apocalyptic feeling, as if a modern society has returned to the ways of old. – page 10. I was excited when I found the book since I am interested in creating my own steampunk outfit, but was rather disappointed to the small number of projects in this book. The good thing about the projects are they are simple in nature and will get the novice started on their own projects. I do want to create the Leather Waist Cincher that is on the cover of the book.

[Daniela Kuijpers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Good pictures, easy to understand descriptions on how to steampunk your wardrobe. Great book!

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun.

[Letticia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good as intro

Basic but nice intro ideas, for creating steampunk costume and accessories for people learning about the genre. I enjoyed reading

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I liked some of them, I probably wouldn't go as far as calling these "every day fashion" for most people. I can't see myself wearing these to work at the library, or for the cubical-rat. However, there are some nice simple tutorials for those beginning to get into costuming or who just like "different" things to wear while on errands or for a night on the town.

[Jemi Fraser]

Ack!!! I can't believe I forgot to rate this! Calista did a fantastic job of this book - the pictures and projects are gorgeous! And the instructions are easy enough for a newbie :) Absolutely fantastic!

[Leandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read better how-tos on the subject. While I may use some of the ideas for my steampunk Merida costume, very few of these I would rate as being everyday items to wear (which is what I would have expected from the title).

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little fashion crafting knowledge is assumed. But only a little. But... no male fashion suggestions?

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book of steampunk crafts/clothing options!

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, but a pretty basic approach to most projects that could be found on Pinterest.

[Yolande · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference book. But only a few projects I want to try.

[Voirrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is full of fairly easy projects, well within my capacity - and I will certainly be giving some of them a try, either for myself or as gifts.

[Xoffelokin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legit, unlike a previous steampunk craft book I reviewed...