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Not Your Gran's Sewing Book: Easy Alterations for the Perfect Fit at Any Size
Make Badass Clothes That Actually Fit
It’s finally The holy grail for creating clothes that celebrate your body and let all your curves and swerves sing! In this guide to easy alterations, flip-thrift guru Allie Luecke shares all the top tips to have your clothes fitting like a glove. Perfect for beginners, Allie’s book has got you covered with easy-to-follow guides and fantastic projects
· Starting Learn how to hem and dart everything you own
· Take It All Turn oversized into just-the-right size
· Let It All Seam rip the shit out of too-tight clothes
· Mind the Button Close the gaps on a button down shirt (buh-bye, peeking bra!)
· Zipper-ty Doo Add zippers to form-fitting pieces (or any piece, really)
Whether you’re tailoring the fit of a waistband or adding a pocket, Allie’s clear tutorials guide you through the process with ease, and her signature voice and sense of humor will have you smiling while you sew. So don’t give up on those unworn pieces haunting you from the closet; join Allie and let your clothes adorn your body the way they were destined to!
It’s finally The holy grail for creating clothes that celebrate your body and let all your curves and swerves sing! In this guide to easy alterations, flip-thrift guru Allie Luecke shares all the top tips to have your clothes fitting like a glove. Perfect for beginners, Allie’s book has got you covered with easy-to-follow guides and fantastic projects
· Starting Learn how to hem and dart everything you own
· Take It All Turn oversized into just-the-right size
· Let It All Seam rip the shit out of too-tight clothes
· Mind the Button Close the gaps on a button down shirt (buh-bye, peeking bra!)
· Zipper-ty Doo Add zippers to form-fitting pieces (or any piece, really)
Whether you’re tailoring the fit of a waistband or adding a pocket, Allie’s clear tutorials guide you through the process with ease, and her signature voice and sense of humor will have you smiling while you sew. So don’t give up on those unworn pieces haunting you from the closet; join Allie and let your clothes adorn your body the way they were destined to!
- GenresSewingNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 5, 2025
5/5 stars - Ethos: upcycling and altering clothes to reduce fashion waste and adapt clothes to the suit the wearer. Learning by doing and experimentation.
5/5 stars - Aesthetics. The colour palette is very pleasing and photographs really well.
4/5 stars - Fun sub-titles
2/5 stars - Sewing instructional content. I would not give this book to a beginner to learn from, but it's fun for those of us who like sewing content when not sewing.
0/5 stars - Spreading misinformation, called out below. The world does not need more of this. It's why I wouldn't give this to a beginner, they don't need to be confused when starting out.
Overall it's not bad, it just could have been improved. I will say the title irks me - what does it actually mean? Is it supposed to mean this book is cool and my grandparents weren't? That the book is poorly researched and based on opinion, and my grandparents and sewing books of their era had higher standards? That upcycling and altering to fit is something my grandparents wouldn't have understood (eyeroll)? On to the contents:
What we're doing here - worth reading, inclusive and motivating
STARTING STRONG
You've got the skill - more pep talk. Pg 12 - I LOVE the top, pity it is not featured as a project, but maybe it's RTW.
Love it or leave it: sewing tools - mis-information: bobbin information is wrong, don't use string to measure yourself
The (fabric) choice is yours - mis-information: most of it - repeats the tired trope that woven fabrics are easier to sew than knits (not that simple); mixes up fabrics, fibres and brand names in the woven and knit example columns (sloppy editing / fact checking); sewing knits advice is biased by author's apparent lack of success / liking for same; interfacing needs to be suited to task and is ironed on dry
Meet your sewing machine - mis-information: stitch length info - check your manual; zig-zag stitches being less strong is the author's opinion, check your manual to change presser feet, walking feet DO NOT *typically* come standard
Finishing seams - mis-information: this is to stop fraying (and is not required on stable knits), it's not meant to hold your clothing together. Popping seams is rare when clothing fits properly. To allow clothes to fit through size fluctuations, don't serge the side seams together so you can make adjustments.
Let 'er rip: seam ripping
Let's get one thing straight - mis-leading: diagram 2a pg 41, don't use a measuring tape as a ruler; elaborate process to iron a straight edge but useful???
Hemming and Hawing - mis-information: Repeats tired fashion trope of hemming long pants or dresses according to shoe type - just hem them to the floor in your bare feet and wear them with all your shoes; don't iron part made garments, the 'gliding' can distort fabric and seams, you need to lift and press
Get this party darted - what does 'deceptively difficult to master' mean? It looks difficult but is easy?
The real world: dart edition - mis-leading: darts should point to the fullest part of the curve and allow the vertical seams to lie straight.
UNDER AN HOUR
Let it all out
Take it all in - use safety pins, not pins
Let's crop about it: cropping t-shirts
LET'S GET WAISTED
Bring it on: elasticating waistbands - Things that made me go hmmm: why remove the belt loops if when you could make the slits for the elastic elsewhere and save yourself the trouble? If you use matching thread to sew the elastic in place in the waistband with small stitches no-one will notice. Mis-information: I have never had even old elastic unravel to the point I'd burn the ends, just don't sew it right on the edge.
Around the bend; elasticating tops - Just use a ribbon and be done in half the time, leave opening unsewn for future adjustments.
All tied up
WE'RE BUSTING OUTTA HERE
Mind the (button) gap - Would not do this at all: let out the seams for more room if possible or move on. Putting seams and fabric under this much strain is not a good idea especially if intending to pull the clothing on and off over your head. But yay for the advice to ignore silly gendered fastening conventions.
Hips and thighs don't lie
Zipper-ty-doo-dah
Grow a pair of pants - why would you cut up a garment for a strip of fabric? Why would you not use a strip of fabric?
SLEEVES PLEASE
Side me up: shirt gussets
Replacing c(r)ap sleeves
Ruffling feathers... and sleeves
PICK A POCKET OR TWO
The outsider: external pockets
The inside job: seam pockets
GLOSSARY ETC
5/5 stars - Aesthetics. The colour palette is very pleasing and photographs really well.
4/5 stars - Fun sub-titles
2/5 stars - Sewing instructional content. I would not give this book to a beginner to learn from, but it's fun for those of us who like sewing content when not sewing.
0/5 stars - Spreading misinformation, called out below. The world does not need more of this. It's why I wouldn't give this to a beginner, they don't need to be confused when starting out.
Overall it's not bad, it just could have been improved. I will say the title irks me - what does it actually mean? Is it supposed to mean this book is cool and my grandparents weren't? That the book is poorly researched and based on opinion, and my grandparents and sewing books of their era had higher standards? That upcycling and altering to fit is something my grandparents wouldn't have understood (eyeroll)? On to the contents:
What we're doing here - worth reading, inclusive and motivating
STARTING STRONG
You've got the skill - more pep talk. Pg 12 - I LOVE the top, pity it is not featured as a project, but maybe it's RTW.
Love it or leave it: sewing tools - mis-information: bobbin information is wrong, don't use string to measure yourself
The (fabric) choice is yours - mis-information: most of it - repeats the tired trope that woven fabrics are easier to sew than knits (not that simple); mixes up fabrics, fibres and brand names in the woven and knit example columns (sloppy editing / fact checking); sewing knits advice is biased by author's apparent lack of success / liking for same; interfacing needs to be suited to task and is ironed on dry
Meet your sewing machine - mis-information: stitch length info - check your manual; zig-zag stitches being less strong is the author's opinion, check your manual to change presser feet, walking feet DO NOT *typically* come standard
Finishing seams - mis-information: this is to stop fraying (and is not required on stable knits), it's not meant to hold your clothing together. Popping seams is rare when clothing fits properly. To allow clothes to fit through size fluctuations, don't serge the side seams together so you can make adjustments.
Let 'er rip: seam ripping
Let's get one thing straight - mis-leading: diagram 2a pg 41, don't use a measuring tape as a ruler; elaborate process to iron a straight edge but useful???
Hemming and Hawing - mis-information: Repeats tired fashion trope of hemming long pants or dresses according to shoe type - just hem them to the floor in your bare feet and wear them with all your shoes; don't iron part made garments, the 'gliding' can distort fabric and seams, you need to lift and press
Get this party darted - what does 'deceptively difficult to master' mean? It looks difficult but is easy?
The real world: dart edition - mis-leading: darts should point to the fullest part of the curve and allow the vertical seams to lie straight.
UNDER AN HOUR
Let it all out
Take it all in - use safety pins, not pins
Let's crop about it: cropping t-shirts
LET'S GET WAISTED
Bring it on: elasticating waistbands - Things that made me go hmmm: why remove the belt loops if when you could make the slits for the elastic elsewhere and save yourself the trouble? If you use matching thread to sew the elastic in place in the waistband with small stitches no-one will notice. Mis-information: I have never had even old elastic unravel to the point I'd burn the ends, just don't sew it right on the edge.
Around the bend; elasticating tops - Just use a ribbon and be done in half the time, leave opening unsewn for future adjustments.
All tied up
WE'RE BUSTING OUTTA HERE
Mind the (button) gap - Would not do this at all: let out the seams for more room if possible or move on. Putting seams and fabric under this much strain is not a good idea especially if intending to pull the clothing on and off over your head. But yay for the advice to ignore silly gendered fastening conventions.
Hips and thighs don't lie
Zipper-ty-doo-dah
Grow a pair of pants - why would you cut up a garment for a strip of fabric? Why would you not use a strip of fabric?
SLEEVES PLEASE
Side me up: shirt gussets
Replacing c(r)ap sleeves
Ruffling feathers... and sleeves
PICK A POCKET OR TWO
The outsider: external pockets
The inside job: seam pockets
GLOSSARY ETC
November 22, 2025
I've read a lot of sewing books in the last few years. I consider myself an advanced beginner or if the moon is in the right cycle, intermediate. The skills in this book are a good range from beginner to intermediate. I do like that Allie has a body and is sewing similar to a lot of gals with a wider waistline, bigger chest and hips than many of the fashion lines create for. The ability to buy a larger size then adjust down where you are smaller is a great principle.
The directions on how to change a sleeve is something I'll put on my list but I'm not creating a crop top (as it just doesn't suit my waistline or style).
If you are still early in your sewing journey, this is a worthwhile book. As usual, I suggest your local library, then if it's a must have, you can purchase it.
The directions on how to change a sleeve is something I'll put on my list but I'm not creating a crop top (as it just doesn't suit my waistline or style).
If you are still early in your sewing journey, this is a worthwhile book. As usual, I suggest your local library, then if it's a must have, you can purchase it.
June 6, 2026
Great book for beginner sewers. Actually successfully created a gathered ruffle for the first time due to her fantastic instructions.
August 1, 2026
Very Easy To Understand
The author does a great job of being relatable, witty and understanding. She covers a variety of sewing instructions and does so in an easy to understand way. I enjoyed spending time with her and learning. This book will be a great reference to refer back to. I Will be seeking any other books she writes! Thank you!!
The author does a great job of being relatable, witty and understanding. She covers a variety of sewing instructions and does so in an easy to understand way. I enjoyed spending time with her and learning. This book will be a great reference to refer back to. I Will be seeking any other books she writes! Thank you!!
October 2, 2024
Save your clothes and the planet
This is a great book for beginner sewists looking for information on how to alter their clothes so that they fit exactly how they want them too. Some really great information presented in an approachable way.
Also, add pockets to anything!
This is a great book for beginner sewists looking for information on how to alter their clothes so that they fit exactly how they want them too. Some really great information presented in an approachable way.
Also, add pockets to anything!
March 12, 2026
Great book for beginners. Explains sewing in a way that you can understand. Love the humor.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews