Make your own brooches

Choose two different pieces of ribbon in contrasting colours; one should be at least 1cm wider than the other. Cut each piece to an appropriate length: for anything wider than 5cm, half a metre will do; for ribbon about 3-4cm wide, about a third of a metre works well, and for anything thinner, use a quarter of a metre Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Using a piece of thread that is about twice at long as the ribbon, sew three stitches over the top of each other at the bottom right of your ribbon. This is the start of your first ruffle and will keep the thread in place. Sew a running stitch all the way along the edge, making sure that each stitch is the same length. Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Gently pull the thread and push the ribbon down it: this will gather the material and give you the ruffle. Hold the two ends of the ribbon between your thumb and index finger, while still pulling the thread tightly to keep the ruffle, well, ruffled Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Oversew the two ends of the ribbon together - this stops the fabric from fraying. Remember to keep the front of the ribbon (usually the shiny side) to the front, and do all your sewing on the back Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Make another ruffle with your second piece of ribbon Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Sew the smaller one on top of the larger one Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Add buttons, beads, sequins, or any other embellishments to the front Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Smaller brooches just need one large button, but bigger ones can fit more Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Sew a safety pin to the back of the brooch (on the part that doesn't unhinge) Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Now you're ready to pin it to a jacket ... Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

... or add a handful to a bag ... Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

... or jazz up a dress ... Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

... or stick seven or eight to a plain black T-shirt for a couture look Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian