I do both, I enjoy makeing the things from scrach, I try to learn 'from the ground up' when I can (flint knap, grind, forge.. spin, weave, sew), but usually, for expediency, I just modify what I have bought to be closer to what I want (eg. recently sewed zippers (or velcro the first time I did it in the car-camping tent) around the mesh in a tent, resealed, make mesh-shaped inserts of waterproofed nylon with the other half of the zipper (velcro), to turn a normal 3 season backpacking tent into a four season backpacking tent when its needed (adds a bit of weight to the tent when used without the inserts but makes it a lot warmer when needed).. things of that nature.. I'm thinking of trying to add another 12 to 18 inches to the vestibule which should add another 5 or so square feet and better allow my pack and gear to be as in the way when I have to use it to cook... thoughI don't see myself being able to do any real backpack camping like I used to for several years now... such is life..