When my copy of Megan Nicolay’s new book, ‘Generation T, beyond fashion, 120 ways to transform a T-shirt’ (Workman publishing) arrived in the mail from her publisher, I thumbed through the pages while humming that song ‘more than a feeling’. Submersed in over 300 pages of awesome craft ideas, all involving t-shirts and how to make them into better t-shirts, or even gloves and purses, the lyrics to the song stuck in my head quickly changed to ‘more than a T-shirt’. So Megan, if you need some added entertainment on any future book tours, I’d be happy to provide some song stylings for you.
As the second installment of the Generation T series, Megan upped the ante from 108 T-shirt ideas to 120. She took time out from all her crafting and book touring to answer a few questions for us. I wanted to mention to her how I felt really DIY about the fact that I used the Generation T scissors that came with my press copy to cut my bangs that afternoon but decided that I had better keep that to myself.
As the second Generation T book, how did you manage to come up with new ideas for T-shirt transformations?
I know, it’s crazy, when I set out to write the first book, the goal was to make the biggest, baddest book of T-shirt transformations. But there were more. I’m always experimenting to come up with new projects, and I had reached a critical mass that just called for a second collection. When you think of the T-shirt as just a piece of fabric, and when you look beyond the closet (where I went with Beyond Fashion), the possibilities are endless!
Being as interested in fashion as you are, do you subscribe to any sort of age appropriate style philosophies? In other words, do you think there’s such a thing as a woman ‘dressing her age’ when it comes to t-shirt styles?
I find that most of my readers place enough limitations on themselves, but I don’t believe age should be a limiting factor – for me, it’s about what you feel comfortable in. The idea is that with 120 designs (or more, if you count the first 108??), there’s something in there for everyone.
What’s an idea you’ve tried with a shirt, that you may look back on now and think, ‘oh man, I can’t believe I wore that?’
Thankfully, those designs don’t get far beyond the cutting room! (My husband is a trustworthy critic!) The fact is, not every project that I make is my favorite, but it may work perfectly for someone else.
You’re headed out on a very important first date with a very important person. You know that you want to for sure wear a specific t-shirt, but you still want to look ‘nice’, how do you spruce it up?
The T-shirt as a garment is inherently casual, but depending on the fit, style, and shape, it can definitely be dressed up and sassed out. I personally like the Back in Action design (project #101) as my go-to option. It looks fairly classic from the front (‘business in the front’), and all crazy-like when you turn around (‘party in the back’) – and I can make it on the fly with only a pair of scissors and ten minutes to spare. I’ve paired that with everything – and adding a few fun, fancy accessories seals the deal.
By, Kelly McClure
