You want the beaded skirt but you don't want to surrender your life's savings. You own several so-so sweaters that lack a certain je ne sais quoi and are better left in the closet. Cheap Frills is guaranteed to solve these fashion crises and more. With over forty simple ideas that use ribbons, beads, sequins, and other easy-to-find trimmings, the projects in Cheap Frills will have readers converting their humdrum garments into one-of-a-kind fashion statements before they can say avant garde. From the I Dream of Genie Top accented with sparkly sequins to a Snow Bunny sweater trimmed with soft faux sheepskin, these great do-it-yourself couture ideas range from sophisticated to whimsical, but always wearable. A practical resource guide offers a host of good ideas for where to get the materials used in the book, and an illustrated techniques section makes it a snap to learn all the basic stitches. Illustrated throughout with colorful photographs and drawings, Cheap Frills has something for every mood, be it hot or haute.

Jennifer Knapp began her crafty career as the prize crayon-eater of Bay View Kindergarten. She is the author of Go Go Dogs.