Chic on a Shoestring : Simple to Sew Vintage-style Accessories

Why throw out your old clothes when they can be transformed for very little money? With an eye for all things 'stylishly vintage', Mary Jane takes throw-away items and illustrates how they can be used to create a host of covetable clothes and accessories. An old tie can be turned into a purse, knitting needle holder, cute corsage and a belt. Silk scarves can make a return as a sexy top or skirt, and T-shirts as funky 40s-style turbans. "Chic on a Shoestring" will take you through - step-by-step - all you need to know to create fabulous clothes and accessories you actually want to wear, and provide you with lots of variations and inspiration to foster your own style. And with advice on how to find useful treasures at markets, charity shops and vintage stores, you will be making your own creations in no time.

Mary Jane Baxter is a writer and craft expert. She worked as a BBC journalist for 12 years before leaving her job as a foreign reporter and producer to train as a couture hat maker. She worked with milliner to the stars Stephen Jones in London, did a stint with Marc Jacobs in Paris, and sold her first collection to the Harvey Nichols flagship store in Knightsbridge. She runs textile and millinery courses across Europe and writes and reports on fashion, craft and creativity for BBC television, guardian.co.uk, Sew magazine, Cloth and Selvedge.