Challenge: Part 2 of 2 in Make your own instant (bang-on-trend) wardrobe update for £5 or less

Guess what? I’ve been using a needle and thread! (cue murmurings of shock and horror). And I’ve been using tea as a make-do method for home dyeing. Yes, I have. In fact, I discovered a good strong brew of proper builder’s tea is the key to this season’s predilection for nude and neutral shades!

After hitting the various haberdashery and cheap jewellery shops of London’s Soho I spent no more than £5 on a couple of bits and bobs to create my own bang-on-trend instant wardrobe updater.

So here’s a free tutorial of my (totally humble) take on this season’s key fringe trend. Wear the necklace with a plain vest or dress for instant fringing (and straight from the catwalk) style.

You will need:
• 1 plain link necklace (I got mine for £1.25 from one of the budget jewellery shops on Berwick Street in London.) For a tougher look, you could get a length of chain from the hardware store and tie it with a ribbon at the back of your neck.

• Fringing of your choice (The minimum length I could purchase was one metre, which was enough for optional layers – or extra necklaces for thrifty gifts!) If you’re in London, I recommend visiting Kleins haberdashery at 5 Noel Street, W1 (Tel. 020 7437 6162).

• Needle and thread in a colour that matches your fringing.

• Optional: tea bag and white vinegar for dyeing.

How to make it:

1. The fringing I found at Kleins was actually a stark white with tiny gold beads. A little too Texan cowgirl for my liking.  I couldn’t find the on-trend nude/neutral shade I was after, so I decided to experiment with some home tea dyeing.

2. To dye the white fringe an antique-y nude colour, soak it in a (cooled) cup (or bowl) of strong tea. Take it out every couple of  minutes until it’s turned the exact shade you’re after. Five minutes did the job for me. Don’t leave it in for too long unless you want it quite brown!  Take it out and set it in a cup of water with white vinegar . I’ve heard that salt is also quite effective for setting the colour. Leave to dry on a piece of kitchen towel.

3. Cut the fringing to the length of your choice – experiment by pinning it to the necklace to see what kind of effect you like best.

4. Thread the needle and carefully hand-sew the fringing to each link of the necklace. At the end of the length, secure it with a double knot. That’s it – you’re done.

Watch me make the necklace on the video below.

Make your own instant fashion update! from OolaMoola on Vimeo.

Total spent: £4.75 (1 metre of beaded fringing £3.50; Chain necklace £1.25)

Cost of similar-style fringe necklace on Net-a-porter: £215

Total saved: £210.25