Yeah, I Made It Myself - The Bed Cover Capelet

Whenever I volunteer at the jumble sale before the leftovers are gathered together, bagged up and sold off as rags, I can't resist one final rummage. Zips are removed, buttons snipped off and interesting fabrics, no matter how tatty, are snaffled for future projects. In my seven years of sewing I've yet to buy a brand new zip or a button.

McCall's 3542 1970s cape pattern, all pinned out and ready to cut - pincushion made by Emma's fair hands, pro scissors a most welcome birthday pressie last year from Liz.

At some point in its past this vintage bed cover had been chopped in half but, too small for its original purpose, it remained unsold . Thinking that it looked like the perfect fabric for a capelet, I rescued it from its inevitable sad fate of becoming a factory cleaning rag.

The pattern called for a frog fastener which I didn't have, so I concocted a military-style closure instead, finishing it off with a couple of 1960s brass buttons chopped from a moth eaten blazer (a previous rag bag rescue). The original blue fringing awaits a future project. The thread, bias binding and concealed hook and eye fastening (at the neck) all came from the biscuit tins crammed with sewing notions I can never resist buying at car boot sales. The only new purchase was the interfacing which I buy in bulk from eBay every few years.

Recognise the vintage Scottish Plume brooch?

 Another jumble sale leftover as the pin had broken. I've made do with a safety pin here but I'll do a proper job using an old brooch eventually.

The best thing about making your own clothes, other than creating something totally unique for  pennies?  Its getting emails and Facebook messages from women who've read my blog and been inspired to have a go at dressmaking themselves. Even with no training whatsoever (like me!) you'll be amazed at what you can knock up if you give it a try.

Go on, I dare you!

Now its back to the day job, repairing a mountain of clothes ready for our debut at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair this Saturday (see HERE) . Thank goodness for my thrifty ways, all those replacement buttons and zips would cost a fortune if I hadn't salvaged them for free.

Me-made cape worn with vintage Compass, Australia lurex maxi (courtesy of the lovely Nelly who no longer blogs), 1960s tapestry & vinyl bag (£1, car boot sale), River Island leather knee high boots (£2, Salvation Army)

See you soon!

PS I pinched the title from my sewing bible Yeah, I Made It Myself  by Eithne Farry.