The MsBehaviour Files: Designer Re-Fashion

Creating things with my hands is one of my favourite ways to relax. Whenever I find myself with spare time, I usually reach for my scissors – I love nothing better than hacking something to pieces, and re-fashioning it into something wildly different. I've taught myself to knit, sew, and crochet and have been known to enjoy the odd embroidery binge. After too many hours staring at a screen, working with a beautiful fabric is a great way to clear the mind.

Imagining patterns in my head helps me think in 3D, and I adore turning something pre-loved into an heirloom piece. I've always thought I might launch my own boutique label one day, and with sites like with Etsy.com that's now only a few clicks away.

Etsy has a fantastic interface through which you can buy or sell hand-made designs in your own online store. Buyers can search for designs a number of ways, such as by category or favourite colour. The geolocator shows where crafters are located across the planet. Cutting edge and crafty Kiwis already on Etsy include Kristin Sullivan Clothing, and cute limited edition art prints by Bernadette Sipkes. The map of New Zealand shows that Nelson seem to be the most prolific crafting area in in New Zealand, with 47 listings as opposed to a mere 15 for Auckland.

There's a Kiwi version of Etsy now called Toggle who sell a hand picked, handmade items on behalf of artists. I loved the 'Bundle of Joy Division' t-shirt with an appliqued record from Darned Punks babywear.

Services like Etsy and Toggle place your work in front of people interested in buying, and the e-commerce side is taken care of. But remember it's the final polish that turns a crafter into an artisan, so if you want to sell your handmade pieces make sure that they are finished to a professional standard.

Even if you don't want to make things to sell, you can join the Wardrobe Refashion movement. Re-fashionistas the world over are pledging not to buy anything new for two, four or six months. Instead, they vow to refashion, renovate and recycle pre-loved items for the term of their contract, creating and crafting items of clothing with their own hands. They post images of their most recent re-workings to the Wardrobe Refashion Flickr pool and look to op shops and vintage clothing as a source of materials and inspiration.

If you want to take the re-fashion pledge and are new to running with scissors, there are plenty of online spaces where you can learn about sewing, knitting and crochet. One good place to start for inspiration is the Craftster community. You could start with twenty five things to do with old jeans, or watch videos of sewing basics at Expert Village if you are happy to tackle a sewing machine. Burda Style have recently launched what they call 'open source sewing' with free down-loadable patterns, How-To Guides and a handy Sewpedia of techniques.

If you would find it easier to start with a kit to practice your sewing skills, then you can buy purse and bag kits containing a pattern and vintage fabric at Reprodepot. All you need is a sewing machine, thread, needle, scissors, iron, and double-sided tape.

Aspiring Knitterati should visit the Threadbanger Channel at YouTube.There are clips on how to knit and how to crochet in their Threadhead series with over 50 crafty how to videos made by young hipsters. Next time you hear someone say I wish I could sew, knit, or crochet send them to this column for some re-fashion inspiration.

I think there's plenty more room online for small boutique labels selling handcrafted one-offs and limited editions. Finding a unique piece is far more exciting than buying from a chainstore. Who wants to look the same anyway? As Coco Chanel herself once said: "Fashion fades, only style remains the same."