It’s practically creepy how quickly Halloween came around this year. Luckily, Megan Nicolay,  author of Generation T: Beyond Fashion and Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt, is on hand with some quick and easy costume solutions.

You’ve got a whole week to put together a Halloween costume, but if your procrastination skills are anything like mine, you’ll still be wanting for that perfect costume accessory come Friday night (or Saturday afternoon, even?). And who has the time or resolve to battle the last-minute chaos and crowds at costume stores? Here are two super-cool, super-quick, no-sew projects from Generation T: Beyond Fashion that you can make with old T-shirts from your closet—so you can whip up a homemade Halloween costume on the fly. Speaking of fly…

How about a superhero cape? Superheroes are always fun (make a mask, too!), but this cape could also transform you into a dashing Dracula, a mister mysterioso magician, or even crowned royalty! Let the cape be your statement or personalize your look with some fabric markers or iron-on letters.

If you’re trying to channel some warmer weather with your costume, how about this fringe dance skirt? Pair it with a bikini top (which you can actually make using project #49 from Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt) or other tropical attire and you’re ready for a luau. Aloha!

For more T-shirt transformation ideas, check out www.generation-t.com!

–Megan Nicolay

Two weeks ago I traveled to Austin, TX to visit my family and friends. While there I attended the opening football game for The University of Texas (of which I am an alumnus). Needless to say, Texas defeated The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 59-20. For me, the overwhelming win wasn’t the surprising part of the game. What I found most interesting (even though I had the sight numerous times) was the thousands of fans all wearing burnt orange UT t-shirts. The crowd appeared as more of a massive burnt orange blob than a group of individuals.

I did spot a couple of girls at the tailgate who were trying to stay cool (and possibly stand out of the crowd) by tying the bottom of their t-shirts in the back and cutting off the sleeves. While I appreciated the effort, their t-shirt refashioning skills could have used a bit of assistance from my friend Megan Nicolay, DIY extraordinaire and author of the bestselling Generation T books. If Megan had been with me at game, she could have transformed their simple and shapeless tees into something exciting and one-of-a-kind.

When I returned to New York City, I asked Megan to share a few projects from her new book, Generation T: Beyond Fashion, that let you show team spirit while also expressing personal style.

• Turn two T-shirts into a flirty babydoll dress (page 78)
• Have fun in the sun with a cute sundress (page 72)
• Stand out in the crowd with a superstar! halter top (page 50)
• Upcyle his T-shirts with one of the 15 men’s projects in chapter 6 (page 198)
• Get the kids into the action with a little empress dress (page 167) or baby tutu (page 152)

Take the football fun to the next level and transform your tees into everything you need for a tailgate:

• Grill Mitt (page 122)
• Picnic Blanket (page 256)
• Grocery Tote (page 127)
• Apron (page 124)
• Drink coasters (page 104)
• Wine cozy (page 102)
• Place Mats (page 100)

Robby Brown, Associate Publicist

Summertime has finally hit here in the Northeast, and in-between trips to the beach and testing out grilling techniques, maybe you’d like to try out a new hobby? Quiltmaking is one of America’s most popular sewing pastimes, and The Quilting Answer Book by Barbara Weiland Talbert is a super-handy, pocket-sized reference that can guide you through the process from start to finish—even if you’re not quite an expert around a needle and thread.  Everything from fabric selection to cutting tools to embellishments is covered, so why not get started on your new family heirloom…

Seems like theme parties are all the rage these days. From clothing swaps to friendly (or not so friendly!) iron-chef throwdowns, people are experimenting with creative ways to entertain on a leaner budget. Now it’s scissor time. Here’s Megan Nicolay, author of the Generation T book series, with a rundown on how to rip the seams out of your next birthday party or girls’ night.

Get ready:
Give your friends fair notice so they can dig deep into the back of their closets for good material! A few things you’ll need to attend to in preparation for your T-shirt refashioning rager:

-Invite all guests to bring a T-shirt or two from home (fitted or baggy, depending on the project they want to make).
-Familiarize yourself with a few no-sew projects from either of the books.

For refashioning beginners, I recommend these two projects from my first book, Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt
#2 Brokenhearted T-shirt, page 30
#16 Outerlace tank top, page 56

And these three projects from my new book, Generation T: Beyond Fashion: 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt
#1 Pinup Girl halter, page 28
#30 Pillow Talk knotted pillow, page 98
#101 Back in Action T-shirt, page 260

Get set:
In terms of materials, you can get by with providing the bare minimum: scissors and safety pins, but here’s a suggested list in case you want to have a whole spread.
-copies of the books (for guests to flip through in case there’s another project they have their heart set on)
-scissors (sharp ones, not the pair you’ve been cutting paper and cardboard with for the past 3 years)
-chalk
-safety pins or 1″ round punk pins/band buttons
-ruler (or other straightedge, if making Brokenhearted tee)
-stuffing (if making Pillow Talk pillow)

Get extra credit:
Make a DIY playlist, mix your tee with some tea, or make a paper runway–whatever puts you in the par-tee mood. And don’t forget to charge your camera battery!
-Play some tunes
-Serve some iced tea to go with your Tee Party
-Have an impromptu fashion show
-Take pictures!!

Go:
-Get your craft on.
-Get your party on.
-Take home the best party-favor ever: a one-of-a-kind, made-by-you design!

P.S. Megan’s blog has lots of pics of some of the tee parties she’s been hosting while on tour.

What: Behind the scenes at the photo shoot for Megan Nicolay’s newest book, Generation T: Beyond Fashion

Who: A super crew including photographer Rafael Fuchs, fashion stylist Basia Zamorska, and our team of models, which spanned 11 adults, 5 children, 2 babies, 4 dogs, and a cat named Noodle.

Where: Everywhere! From Brooklyn, where we shot in a restaurant named Bubby’s (if you’re in the area, check out the awesome photo booth), Brooklyn Bridge Park, and a retro bowling alley; to a loft in Tribeca; to the streets of Chinatown.

When: Four days in November. We shot during the first really cold week of fall, and it felt more like winter—but our models were troopers. They somehow managed to scamper around outside in skimpy T-wear without looking totally frozen. Piping hot Grimaldi’s pizza in the location van helped to warm them up some. (Yum.) We also kept the tunes blasting, which is why many of the photos look like the models were dancing—because they really were. A great way to get the blood flowing AND nail a rocking shot.
-Danielle Hark

Makeshift studio set up in Bubby's

Hair and Makeup artist Dina and Megan styling Isabella

Behind the velvet rope

Megan driving the Mini Cooper

Ready for a road trip