Don't Buy - DIY!

Sorting through my winter wardrobe I noticed a distinct lack of tops with sleeves. I know I'm hardcore and generally exercise my right to bare arms but sometimes there's the odd day, like an early morning car boot sale for instance, when that extra layer makes all the difference.

I can close the wardrobe now!

A normal person might run to the shops to buy something new or even trawl eBay for a decent vintage alternative, but not a cheapskate like me who loathes spending money if there's a way of doing it for free.

I grabbed an old vest from my drawer, a vintage sewing pattern, a length of metallic 1960s braid,  some matching thread

and a moth-eaten Liberty shawl.

I followed the instructions for constructing the sleeve part of the pattern, trimmed it with the braid and attached it to the armholes of the vest.

Vest (50p, Sue Ryder), 1970s Liberty peacock shawl (20p, jumble sale), Braid (a large bag for 20p, car boot sale), Jiffy pattern (courtesy of Kitty)

At less than 75p it's cheaper than most chazzas and there's no chance I'll ever bump into anyone else wearing the same.

With this crazy gillet over the top I was toasty warm at this morning's car boot sale.

A gratuitous bling shot. No proper shops were entered to amass this collection.

 Whilst I was on a roll I sewed ribbon salvaged from old gifts to the waistbands of all my skirts so I can actually see what I've got when I open the wardrobe doors. 

Worn with a 1970s Mexican maxi (courtesy of La Dama) and platform ankle boots (£1, car boot sale)

No old vest is safe now!

See you soon.

Linking to the Ethical Fashion Bloggers October outfit challenge.