P.S. - I Made This...I See It. I Like It. I Make It.

by Erica Domesek

It’s a movement. It’s a call to action: reimagine, reuse, and reinvent. P.S.- I Made This . . . will inspire and encourage readers to embrace the concept of I see it, I like it, I make it.

Part designer DIY, part fashion and lifestyle inspiration guide, P.S.- I Made This . . . was born from Erica Domesek’s popular website of the same name. Domesek’s collection of unique projects will tempt any fashionista who’s ready for DIY style!

The book features more than 25 projects inspired by iconic fashion looks, runway trends, and celebrated style mavens for readers to create themselves. The user-friendly “Designer DIY” projects, ranging from lucite bangles to faux-fur vests to studded heels, are featured alongside inspirational, vivid fashion montages and clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Crafts, Art, How To, Sewing

180 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Theresa F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some ideas in this book that definitely got the creative gears turning in my head. However I have serious concerns about the long term durability, or lack thereof, of these projects. The author indirectly addresses this when she writes in the introduction that "trends come and go", and that "this season's hot number will more than likely be extinct by next". The implication is that the creations in this book are meant to be temporary, so that they can be reworked when trends change. However, if I'm going to go to the trouble of making something, I want something that's going to last. Not to mention in some of the photos the end projects just looked cheap, rather than trendy.
Did I like it? It was ok.
Would I reread it? Not sure.
Would I recommend it? Only for inspiration purposes.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointing. I saw Erica on Craft Wars and thought her book sounded interesting. Most of her crafts are ridiculously impractical and tacky!

[Paulyna C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ideas

[Amberwench · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultra Mod fashion, done dirt cheap. Recommended for the truly unique, fashion-forward, runway-style, creative types!

[Crystal Puckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great--simple quick ideas for those days you want to make something, but don't want to start A PROJECT. I made the leather-like boot covers, the blinged-up shoes, and the lace cuff (except I used leftover faux leather from the boot covers instead of lace) and intend to make a couple more things, like the triangle ruler necklace and the painted jeans. I do wish the author had included some basic estimation of amounts for materials needed on some of the projects; FYI, for the shoes, if you have a decent-sized heel, you need at least over 3 yards of rhinestone-y stuff(I didn't buy enough, and I didn't buy real rhinestone strand--that stuff is expensive! I substituted a rhinestone trim I found at Hobby Lobby in the sewing section. It was cheaper, but came in black or white only--no gold). In short, I loved this book, and if you like quirky, quick DIY projects, this is for you! If you want to check out the kinds of things this book covered, the author does a blog at http://psimadethis.com/.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of these projects are completely unwearable, as the judges panel would say on Project Runway. Some of them wouldn't even survive one wearing (uhm, ruffled neckline made out of toilet paper). And most everything is just completely not my style, but even if I wouldn't wear it and it's not terribly practical, there are some creative ideas in here. More than the actual execution of any specific project, the strength of this book is in the way it tries to teach you to think about creating accessories / clothing. Starting with a mood/idea board for each project, and using some interesting methods and materials. A number of the projects are more embellishment than construction. I won't make anything from this book, but it will probably stay in the back of my mind. The nautical striped tshirt was one of my favorite projects, along with the tuxedo leggings (much to my own surprise). The list of projects I didn't like was too long to list.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

While several of Domesek's ideas are both cute and creative, many of them aren't made to last. A headband made with drink umbrellas, a neck ruffle made from coffee filters, a belt made from tape and ribbon don't seem like items that could handle more than one wearing.

I guess that I'm more of a "purist" when it comes to my crafting. If I'm going to put an effort into doing something, I like to get some use out of it. That said, there are still some fun projects in this book, but I would recommend picking it up at the library instead of buying it.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of making some trendy pieces instead of spending money on a passing fad, but there wasn't much in this book that I would actually wear. Like a ruffled collar made of coffee filters? or a necklace of protractors and paper clips? hmm....I think I'll pass. Plus I'm pretty sure the stuff would fall apart as I was wearing it.
I thought some of the bangles were cute though, and the fringed scarf made of a t-shirt. You'd have to be a real DIYer to appreciate this book.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. The blog that the author writes is occasionally referenced on the craft blog I read almost daily, so I thought I would find projects I would want to do. But this is all fashion couture. I would never wear anything I saw in the book, and I wouldn't even want to try to make any of it. Just not for me.

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

adult nonfiction; non-sewing craft/fashion. Only a very few of these projects are actually wearable; most of it just looks like something a tweenager might make (yes, these ruffles on my shirt are actually coffee filters. And they're hot-glued on.). Skip the book and just browse the author's blog instead if you're needing some inspiration.

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the finished projects didn't really appeal to me, but the techniques used are clearly shown and easily adapted for a finished product that I would like. Fun book that encourages its readers to use their imaginations to upcycle, update, and re-do using items that we have collecting dust in our closets, jewelry boxes, and unused craft supplies.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping to see a step by step guide to making your own patters for clothes. However, I bought this book without digging into what it was about, so it's all good. I love how innovative the ideas are, and I'm excited to make my own quirky jewelry.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some over the top stuff that I would never make, like gold spray painted shoes, earrings made from champagne corks, etc. But there are a couple of good ideas that I might make, or at least adapt to something a bit different.

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the projects in this book were gorgeous and creative, and I really like how the layout of the book mirrors the blog it stemmed from. The only problem was, despite the awesomeness of the projects, I didn't actually want to try any of them.

[Mortalform]

interesting, like the inspirational collage and full color step by step pictures
favorite projects
-Bow belt
-Denim messenger purse
*-fringe scarf
-hippie headband
-sailor shirt
*-ruffle tank

good list of interesting websites

also avaliable on the website so why buy the book

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I'm not inclined to make any of the projects in this book, I still really enjoyed it. I like the author's easy writing style and inventive way of recreating what she likes from the fashion world.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book! Creative ideas, though some are a little nonfunctional. I liked the pictures and bought the visuals gave nice simplified directions for the projects. I especially enjoyed her inspiration pages for each idea and the fringed scarf idea.

[Yuuki Nakashima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the projects are ridiculous. However, some of them are attractive. It's much different from other craft book. The works are so cool that they may fit even professional models. They don't look like handmade and I learned how to get what I want but so expensive.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how easy it was to understand the instructions. More craft books should have pictures for each step the way that this one did.

[Hollis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. Things were a little too trendy/easily outdated for my taste.
Some of the jewelery was fun.

[Kara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely not my style, and the craftsmanship is, well, lacking. Kind of surprised this book was published.

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars actually

[Susie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was all accessories and most of the ideas looked homemade, which they are, but the hope is always that you can produce something that doesn't look like it.

[Kate Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

just grabbed this off shelf by accident and it really has some super cool teen ides! My daughter wants me to make her the scarf and the bracelets out oF there! VERY CUTE.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the ideas were awesome and then some were like 'really'? I loved how the book detailed the steps with photographs. Very helpful

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a joke, right? Shirts embellished with coffee filters? Necklaces made out of triangle rulers? No. Just---no.

[Alison Korpess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quick read, a lot of DIY's, nothing that appealed to me to try to make. maybe i'm not a fashionista

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointed with this book. I have seen better projects in craft books aimed at children and teens.

[Crislagu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love love a good, crafty book :)