How To: Sew you own pair of easy, Victorian style bloomers
The perfect undergarment for your Victorian costume re-creation. You don't need any pattern, just take your measurements and get a yard or so of thin, lightweight fabric. Then cut, pin, sew and finish. Your own pair of Victorian inspired bloomer pants!
How To: Cut a hooded sweatshirt
You love your hooded sweatshirt but starting to feel like a weak person is strangling you all day long? With a quick snip with the scissors you can have a perfectly fitting sweatshirt and never have to worry about unnecessary discomfort again.
How To: Draft a Basic Pant Pattern
Written Instructions with accompanying video for anyone who wants to make a basic pant exactly to your measurements! Please get your correct measurements before you begin from How to Take Your Measurements.
How To: Machine baste on a Singer sewing machine
Machine basting is a common technique used in many patterns for garment construction. It's easy, and can help your garment look more professional when finished. This video tutorial shows you how to machine baste a seam.
How To: Draft a Sleeve Pattern
A well designed sleeve is very important to creating a top or jacket that fits comfortably. Get your correct measurements before you begin. Please view the following step-by-step instructions and accompanying video and diagram to create the basic sleeve.
How To: Draft a Basic Bodice Pattern
Unlock the secret to clothing design. If you can draft and sew a basic bodice you can design virtually any kind of t-shirt, blouse or other top! Attach a skirt and you now have a dress! Take your measurements by using the guide in the " How to Take Your Measurements" section and let´s get started! If you would rather just whip up an easier beginners t-shirt go to How to Design a Quick T-Shirt.
How To: Make a Basic Skirt Pattern
Written instructions on how to draft a basic skirt pattern with accompanying video. Take your correct measurements before you begin.
How To: Turn an old pair of denim shorts into a fun messenger bag
Repurpose a pair of denim shorts into a fun and cute messenger bag! You'll need a pair of denim shorts (or jeans), scissors, needle and thread, straight pins, pliers, chains, your favorite vintage brooches or buttons, and a length of Velcro.
How To: Take Your Measurements
These measurments should be taken and recorded before drawing up you clothing design pattern. Wear the bra and panties you will be wearing with the final garment. Another option, especially if you are going to be selling a series of the garments, is to follow a size chart. While sizing is not very standardized in the clothing industry, I like the charts on the Burdastyle website which are in both inches and centimeters. When measuring, the tape measure should be neither too tight nor too loos...
How To: Maintain your sewing machine after it's been in storage or unused for awhile
Whether you have a Singer sewing machine, a Janome or a Brother, this video is good advice. If your sewing machine has been sitting in storage or has been unused for a long time, you'll need to do a little bit of maintenance before you start it up again.
How To: Create a chic tatter skirt from fabric scraps
Just because your skirt is in tatters doesn't mean you look like a homeless hobo. In fact, when the tatters that comprise your skirt come from old but beautiful fabrics (instead of, well, just old and overused fabrics), you'll look both chic and money smart.
How To: Make a Doo Rag Pattern
Video: . Whether you are gardening, cooking, riding a motorcycle or just want to cover up on a bad hair day, doo rags are easy to make and fun to personalize to suit to your style. If you would rather just download the durag pattern click here.
How To: Sew quickly by hand without using a sewing machine
Sewing by hand can actually go quite quickly if you don't have access to your sewing machine or if it's broken. Hand sewing can also be useful if you're working with especially delicate fabrics, attaching an applique or making a small repair.
How To: Alter long straight sleeves to become gathered sleeves when drafting patterns
Gathered sleeves can add a bit of interest to a blouse or shirt which incorporates them. This tutorial shows you how to start with a basic straight sleeve and use pattern drafting software to adjust so you can end with a gathered sleeve.
How To: Iron on patches for torn clothing
Is you favorite pair of jeans suffering from a hole in the knee? No problem. Extend the life of your clothing by using patches to cover worn or torn areas, or to embellish tired items and give them a fresh new look.
How To: Use the Omni Stitch machine
This video shows you some of the things you can do with an Omni Stitch machine.We also show you how to attach the feeder.
How To: Disassemble your home sewing machine for routine maintenance
Many sewing machine repairs can be made at home, and most repairs can be completely avoided through routine sewing machine maintenance. This tutorial shows you how to carefully disassemble your machine to give it a round of maintenance. You will need a screwdriver - make sure not to lose any of the screws!
How To: Make a Military Bugle Cord Decorative Knot
Bugle cords are used as elaborate ornamental leashes on bugles and trumpets, but they are also used as snazzy ornamentation, called aiguillettes (a type of fourragère), on uniforms worn by certain members of the military. While you could buy one pre-made, you could also make one yourself. But this should not be confused with the infantry blue cord of the U.S. Army, which is another type of fourragère only with more elaborate knotting.
How To: Cut out perfect men's trousers patterns
You know how often times you'll find almost perfect jeans at the store, with the perfect faded wash, boot cut, and dark navy color, but they're just a wee bit too tight and a wee bit too long? Have you ever wished that the jeans company tailored those pants to you?
How To: Make your own long sleeved draped cardigan
This look goes perfectly with jeans, and is ideally suited for cold weather. All you need is to find a length of your favorite knit cloth and then follow along with the demonstrations here in the tutorial for your own comfy cardigan.
How To: Make your own customizable tank top pattern for beginners
What's the most efficient way to become a fashion designer? By challenging yourself to creating your own clothes from the ground up. And while you probably already know this means cuting, sewing, and embroidering your fabrics, it also means making your own patterns.
How To: Tie the two color monkey's fist knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to tie the two color monkey's fist knot. First, make a double overhand knot, and snip the edges off. Next, create the monkey's fist by taking one of the ropes and looping it around the fingers several times. After you do this, push the knot through the fingers and tie the other string around the entire loop several times. Push the string through the loop, then continue to tie on the opposite side around itself. To finish this up, Pull the two outside strings tog...
How To: Tie paracord knot balls
Have more paracord than you know what to do with? If so, and if you're interested in storing it in a creative, esthetically-pleasing fashion (that is completely without any sort of material utility) then the paracord knot balls outlined in this video are for you! Tie some with this free video lesson.
How To: Wrap embroidery thread around a bobbin
In this how-to video, you will learn how to wrap embroidery thread around a bobbin. In this example, the embroidery thread is both purple and light purple, but you can choose whatever you want. First, take the end of the embroidery thread and place it through one of the slots. Hold it back, and then wrap the embroidery thread around the bobbin until you get near the end of the thread. The end should be placed in a different slot on the bobbin. By viewing this video, you will learn how to quic...
How To: Make a basic pant
In this three-part sewing tutorial, learn how to make a pair of pants that fit like a glove! In the first video, you will learn to take measurements and calculate measurements to plan out your pattern. In the second video, learn how to draw the pant pattern based on your measurement calculations, make a test pant and finalize your pattern design. Lastly, in the third installment of this series, learn how to sew on the zipper and button and stitch the legs of your pants.
How To: Tie the Eternity knot to decorate a rope or string
In this video the host of "Tying It All Together" demonstrates how to create a "Eternity Knot". This type of knot is an attractive way to decorate a rope or string. Strung along one after another on a rope or string, it creates elongated bead-like knots at intervals of your choosing. The Eternity Knot is named for it's resemblance to the symbol of Buddha's all-knowing wisdom and the uncommon quality of his realizations. In this video the host will lead you through the entire process of creati...
How To: Use the tension knob on a Kenmore sewing machine
Using a sewing machine entails knowing how to the tension knob properly. This sewing how-to video demonstrates how to properly adjust the tension knob on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. The tension knob is located near the front of the sewing machine. It has a dial numbered from 1 to 9. The larger the number, the tighter the tension.
How To: Backstitch sew on a Singer sewing machine
Good habits make your sewing easier. This is a quick video sewing tutorial on backstitching. You'll know what it means when it's mentioned in patterns. Your sewing will be more professional if you remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam. Happy Sewing!
How To: Make a Macrame Belt
This is a trouser belt, but can also be applied as a bag strap, maybe used as a camera strap, etc. To make a macrame belt, measure the cords to your desired length. Tie using square knots.
How To: Sew a Baby Changing Mat
This all-in-one baby changing mat is cute and convenient! It has two pockets to hold diapers and wipes, and it folds up into a tidy clutch. It features a laminated vinyl surface, so messes are easy to wipe off. It has an elastic closure so you don't have to make a button hole. You can sew it yourself in no time with my easy step-by-step video tutorial.
How To: Make a Perfect Fitting Pants Pattern for Yourself
Pants are here to stay. Women of all ages love wearing pants. Jeans, trousers, slacks, corduroys… whatever. Everyone wants them to look and fit great, while being comfortable.
How To: Draft your own darts when making a skirt without a pattern
Darts add shape and a more fitted line to garments that use them. While many patterns come with the darts pre-printed, how do you add darts when you're sewing without a pattern? This tutorial shows you how to add your own darts by hand.
How To: Cut tulle or a similar fabric easily
Tulle is often used to make tutus, but the nature of it's composition might make it hard to cut cleanly. This is a very quick video tutorial showing you a few useful tips on the most efficient way to cut tulle fabric.
How To: Make Homemade Microwaveable Foot Warmers
Well, Ol' Man Winter is upon us yet again, blasting us with his icy breath. When I was a kid, I loved wintertime because it meant the prospect of sledding, snowball fights & missed school days in which to enjoy both. Now that I'm 45, however, my attitude toward the season has taken a complete 180-degree turn: I find myself dreading it because of the likelihood of being snowed-in for days on end, and the certainty of being forced to endure the frigid temperatures.
How To: Make a hoop shirt and arm warmers out of a pair of tights
All you need for this tutorial is a pair of tights (the stretchier, the better) and a pair of scissors! Take your tights and cut them in a few places to turn them into a top! Or, cut them a different way to turn them into arm warmers!
How To: Make a "Tron" Legacy glow-in-the-dark costume
You know those cool skintight black bodysuits they wear in "Tron"? They seem like costumes only the best of movie costume designers - and CG artists - can produce, but you can make a pretty good replica at home.
How To: Make your own fabric appliques or patches
Applique is fabric cut in a fun shape that is applied like a patch, directly onto the fabric. This tutorial shows you how you can use fun woven print fabrics and fusible interfacing to create your own appliques and patches for your projects.
How To: Add a corset look to your favorite dress using safety pins
You can create the corset look for your own wardrobe without having to resort to boning! All you need is your dress, a collection of small safety pins and your chosen ribbon or twill tape (make sure you buy several yards of this).
How To: Stretch your wrist and hand while sewing to avoid cramps
These wrist stretches have been cribbed from aikido, but they can be used as sewing stretches as well. Avoid cramps while sewing by using these three wrist stretches. Whenever you feel like your wrist is starting to ache, just use one of these stretches.
How To: Make a cushion cover
With a little practice a cushion cover can be made at home easily. The materials/equipments required are as follows: fabric of your choice (having appropriate dimensions) to make the cover, scissors, measuring tape and ruler, needles, threads, sewing machine and an iron.