DIY: Exciting Do It Yourself Projects for Teens

Try these inJEANious ideas for jazzing up your denim, filmmaking tips, terrific techniques for subversive sewing, secrets of comics drawing, patterns for hip handbags, wacky ideas for altering a digital photo, and tantalizing ways to transform a t-shirt!

Clothes

Alvarado, Melissa .Subversive Seamster : Transform Thrift Store Threads Into Street Couture. 2007. (YA 646.4 Alvar.M)

Provides a helpful guide to finding clothing in thrift stores and how to refashion them, and sewing advice to help even a first time sewer to transform thrift store clothing into stylish results every time. Has 30 projects.

 

 

Blakeney, Faith.  99 Ways To Cut, Sew, Tie & Rock Your Scarf. 2008. (YA 646.404 Blake.F)

This book contains 99 fun projects that use simple techniques and easy-to-find supplies, the longest of which takes 90 minutes to make. Created fashions that everyone will admire!

 

 

Greene, Lauren A .Injeanious : 52 Ways To DIY Your Denim. 2007. (YA 646.404 Green.L)

This book is filled with ideas to help you transform a pair of plain jeans into any sort of style you might desire, from girly to rocker. Easy techniques and easy-to-find supplies help teens turn their jeans into one-of-a-kind fashion statements. Includes tips on shopping, finding the perfect fit, and caring for your jeans.

 

 

Nicolay, Megan. Generation T : 108 Ways To Transform A T-shirt. 2006. (YA 646.404 Nicol.M)

This book contains projects to redesign and reinvent t-shirts; most of the patterns involve no sewing. There are 30 T-shirt projects, 30 tank top projects, 30 tube top projects as well as patterns for a two-tiered skirt, pillows, leg-warmers, tablecloths, and braided rugs.

 

 

Cooking

Bayless, Rick. Rick & Lanie's Excellent Kitchen Adventures : Chef-dad, Teenage Daughter, Recipes And Stories. 2004. (YA 641.59 Bayle.R)

Rick Bayless, a celebrated chief, and his daughter Lanie present over 100 international but simple recipies.

 

 

Carle, Megan. Teens Cook : How To Make What You Want To Eat. 2004. (YA 641.5 Carle.M)

A cookbook written for teens to help them become self-sufficient cooks. About 70% of the recipies are vegetarian. Includes photos showing the food step-by-step and finished products.

 

 

Carle, Megan.. Teens Cook Dessert. 2006. (YA 641.86 Carle.M)

A dessert cook book written by teenagers for teenagers. Provides full-color, tantalizing photos of desserts. A follow-up to Teens Cook.

 

 

Dunnington, Rose. Big Snacks, Little Meals : After School, Dinnertime, Anytime. 2006. (YA 641.53 Dunni.R)

Homemade, quick, delicious, and these big snacks and little meals are easy to whip up even if you've never cooked before. Not only a guide on making food, but also a guide on how to get started in the kitchen. It even helps you understand how to use a recipe and make a grocery list out of it.

 

 

Gold, Rozanne. Eat Fresh Food : Awesome Recipes For Teen Chefs. 2009. (YA 641.5 Gold.R)

Tired of the old junk food routine? This book features recipes using fresh (in season), natural, and unprocessed vegetables and fruits. Recipes are accompanied by stunning, colorful photographs.

 

 

Locricchio, Matthew. Teen Cuisine. 2010. (YA 641.5083 Locri.M)

Looking for some gourmet recipes to impress your friends and family? Find them here, and you don't need prior cooking experience.

 

 

Stern, Sam.  Cooking Up A Storm. 2006. (YA 641.5 Stern.S)

Fourteen-year-old Sam Stern shares his favorite recipes for meals, deserts, and snacks. Features tips and narration from Sam and photos of his food prepartion.

 

 

Stern, Sam. Get Cooking. 2009. (YA 641.5 Stern.S)

Get Cooking is a cookbook divided into eight parts based on tomatoes, cheese, pasta, vegetables, meat, potatoes, sweets, and chocolate. These are fun and healthy recipes.

 

 

Crafts

Aronzo, Aranzi. Cute Stuff. 2008. (YA 746 Aranzi)

Part of a series that includes the Cute Book and Cute Dolls, this books shows you how to make 17 different everyday items and accessories like hair ties and purses, only more fun and cuter.

 

 

Bonnell, Jennifer. D.I.Y. Girl : The Real Girl's Guide To Making Everything From Lip Gloss To Lamps. 2003. (YA 745.5 Bonne.J)

Features pictures and a detailed instuction guide to help teen girls make things such as jewlery, beauty products, birthday gifts, and an original bedroom decor.

 

 

Cano-Murillo, Kathy. Crafty Chica's Art De La Soul : Glittery Ideas To Liven Up Your Life. 2006. (YA 745.5 Canom.K)

Includes thirty projects that include making colorful jewelery, candles, and Mexican coffee coasters. There are step-by-step instructions that will help crafters of all skill levels make beautiful crafts that help them connect with the Mexican culture.

 

 

Haab, Sherri. The Hip Handbag Book : 25 Easy-to-make Totes, Purses, And Bags. 2004. (YA 646.48 Haab.S)

As the title suggests, this is a book filled with instructions on how to create 25 easy-to-make totes, purses, and bags.

 

 

Hantman, Clea. Hey, Day! : Super-amazing, Funk-da-crazing, Ultra-glazing Things To Do, Make, And Ponder Every Day Of The Year. 2001. (YA 790.194 Clea.S)

This book contains 365 tips, secrets, and suggestions for teens to help them plan activities and make fun and easy crafts.

 

 

Hennessy, Alena. Alter This! : Radical Ideas For Transforming Books Into Art. 2007. (YA 702.81 Henne.A)

Is a guide to turning all sorts of different types of books into beautiful pieces of art using techniques such as stitching, image transferring, and cutting.

 

 

Schiedermayer, Ellie. Got Tape? : [roll Out The Fun With Duct Tape!]. 2002. (YA 745.5 Schie.E)

Has over 35 different projects all using duct tape, including: a picture frame, visor, purse, tie, and postcards.

 

 

Vitkus, Jessica. Alternacrafts : [20+ Hi-style Lo-budget Projects To Make]. 2005. (YA 745.5 Vitku.J)

Has over 20 projects that range from making an old sweater into a hat to turning an old pair of jeans into a purse. Has an emphasis on recycling.

 

 

Drawing

Lee, John. Street Scene : How To Draw Graffiti-style. 2007. (YA 741.2 Lee.J)

This is a first step-by-step guide on creating graffiti style art with more than 25 different instruction guides. Shows how to draw a range of characters and put them in a urban background.

 

 

McCloud, Scott. Making Comics : Storytelling Secrets Of Comics, Manga And Graphic Novels. 2006. (YA 741.51 Mcclo.S)

With a humorous tone and clear instructions, a cartoon narration helps readers master telling a story through few words and an illustration.

 

 

Film & Photography

Gaines, Thom. Digital Photo Madness : 50 Weird & Wacky Things To Do With Your Digital Camera. 2006. (YA 775 Gaine.T)

Explains everything you need to know about using your digital camera to create fun and wacky photos.

 

 

 

Lanier, Troy. Filmmaking For Teens : Pulling Off Your Shorts. 2005. (YA 791.43023 Lanie.T)

A guide to creating shorts that begins with the moment of inspriation and goes to the final product.

 

 

 

Shaner, Pete. Digital Filmmaking For Teens. 2005. (YA 778.590285 Shane.P)

Helps anyone who wants to make a Hollywood-style movie with tips on everything from creating a story to operating the camera.

 

 

Health & Wellness

Chryssicas, Mary Kaye. Breathe : Yoga For Teens. 2007. (YA 613.7046 Chrys.M)

An introduction to hatha yoga for teens.

 

 

Reber, Deborah. Chill : Stress-reducing Techniques For A More Balanced, Peaceful You. 2008. (YA 155.9042 Reber.D)

A stress management guide for teens.

 

 

Sammons, Mary Beth. Insparation : A Teen's Guide To Healthy Living Inspired By Today's Hot Spas. 2005. (YA 646.7042 Sammo.M)

It's not just moms who go to the spa anymore. Now teens are headed to these pampering centers, often for treatments designed just for them. Insparation looks at the coolest teen-centered treatments these spas have to offer, then lays out easy-to-do, affordable at-home versions. With an emphasis on mind, body, and spirit (plus tips on hosting chic spa parties), this book motivates teens to learn more about healthy body image, proper nutrition, exercise, and good habits. Of course, it's all pretty luxurious, too! From make-your-own treatments like a Banana Split Body Polish and a Blemish-Buster Facial, to the relaxing and emotionally nurturing mom and daughter retreat, to just-for-fun Glam-Slam Nails, Insparation is like being pampered for a lifetime instead of just one day.

 

 

 

Jewelry

Barta, Melinda A. Custom Cool Jewelry. 2008. (YA 745.5942 Barta.M)

A reference and idea book for serious jewelry makers.

 

 

 

Taylor, Terry. Chain Mail Jewelry : Contemporary Designs From Classic Techniques. 2006. (YA 745.5942 Taylo.T)

A collection of projects inspiried by the art of making chain mail.

 

 

.

Discover Beading. 2006. (YA 745.5942 Discove)

Over 30 jewerly projects taken from Bead Style magazine. Good for beginners.

 

 

 

Knitting

Okey, Shannon. Knitgrrl : Learn To Knit With 15 Fun And Funky Patterns. 2005. (YA 746.432 Okey.S)

Make a ponytail roll-brim hat, leg warmers, and a lacy double-diamond scarf. Included in this book are color photos of a teen model and the completed garment for each item, and clear instructions, basic information for beginners, additional information, and even some advanced techniques.

 

 

 

Turner, Sharon. Find Your Style And Knit It Too. 2008. (YA 746.432 Turne.S)

Easy-to-follow instructions accompany more than 25 hip patterns for items such as a hoodie, hat, a skirt and wristbands.

 

 

 

Wenger, Jennifer. Teen Knitting Club : Chill Out And Knit. 2004. (YA 746.432 Wenge.J)

The 35 projects in this book include hats, bags, sweaters, ponchos, blankets, one-day projects and more! Tips for starting a knitting club and/or knitting for others are also included.

 

Music

Chertgow, Randy. The Indie Band Survival Guide : The Complete Manual For The Do-it-yourself Musician. 2008. (781.64068 Chert.R)

Chertkow and Feehan, lead members of the Chicago band Beatnik Turtle, offer advice on how to attract a following and to write music for TV and theater without having a record label. Other topics covered are: creating a brand, networking, Web site, getting booked, playing live and getting publicized.

 

 

Nichols, Travis. Punk Rock Etiquette : The Ultimate How-to Guide For Punk, Underground, DIY, And Indie Bands. 2008. (YA 781.66023 Nicho.T)

Provides how-to advice on forming a band and tips on navigating the underground and indie music scene.

 

 

Pranks, Games, Challenges

Bartlett, Sam. The Best Of Stuntology : 304 Pranks, Tricks & Challenges To Amuse & Annoy Your Friends. 2008. (YA 793.8 Bartl.S)

A collection of dares, pranks, challenges, and games.

 

Compiled by Christie Chandler-Stahl and Zoë Engling

Updated: November, 2010