Customising for beginners

I am definitely not a domestic goddess – the last time I touched a sewing machine was in home economics at school. I made a stuffed and misshapen watermelon slice shaped cushion which I gave to my gran for Christmas. (She also got given a very stripy but again unusually shaped scarf; my one attempt to knit. Love her, she wore it for years.) My memories of sewing are of frustration, thread and needles inexplicably snapping, knots, and incorrect tension.

All this is going to change. I have customised my very first garment, and it was easy-peasy. My secret weapon? A hand-held mini sewing machine.

Take one boring dress. (Or in other words a classic LBD but what the hell.)

Find some nice fabric. (In my case an unflattering dress in pretty fabric I bought for one pound in Age Concern.) Chop fabric to size. Get ribbon. Make a plan, more or less. Pin everything firmly in place. (I didn't do this properly the first time and had to unpick a whole section as all the fabric had moved without me noticing.)

Add magic ingredient.

Et voila. This took about an hour and a half. I’m quite proud for a first attempt!

Accessories also second hand.

The mini, hand-held sewing machine I picked up (second-hand as it happens) is a proper old school one.Woolworths sell a mini but less hand-held version for 25.00.