Active Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Turn a t-shirt into a pillowcase
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to turn a t-shirt into a pillowcase. The materials required for this project are: a pillow, a shirt (that fits over the pillow), pin, needle, thread, decorative trim and a sewing machine. Begin by flipping the shirt inside out and slip in the pillow. Position the pillow to how you want it and pin down along the sides to hold it. Now stitch the shirt together along the pin points. Trim off the extra fabric, leaving a 1/2" at the seam. Fold the bottom a...
How To: Sew a blind hem
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to sew a blind hem. Use a blind hem stitch when sewing the bottom hem of your Roman shade. It is very easy to do. For this you will need a sewing machine that has blind hem stitch already programmed in to it and a blind hem foot. Hem your fabric and pin it. Make sure the pointed ends of the pins are pointing outwards. Lay your fabric with the hemmed side facing up and the hemmed side towards the pressure foot. Then flip the hem upside so...
How To: Tie a Padlock style decorative Knot
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to tie a Padlock style decorative knot. Padlock knot is a clever way to achieve the look and function of a padlock without having to bother about the key. Take a piece of rope, bend it in the center and make two loops on either side of the rope. Ensure the working end is over the rope in the left side loop and under the rope in the right side loop. Now overlap both the loops so that the left side loop is over the other loop. Now pass the...
How To: Install an orb on a Roman shade
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to install the Roman shade orb on Roman shades. Begin by threading the lift cord through the bottom ring of the shade and then slide the end of the cord through the orb. To do so, squeeze the orb to reveal an opening and slide the cord through the hole. The orb allows the user to easily adjust the tension of the Roman shades. Simply slide it back and forth to tighten or loosen. This video will benefit those viewers who have Roman shades, and would lik...
How To: Get started sewing with the right sewing tools
It's pretty much common knowledge that a successful sewing kit requires several different sizes of needles as well as differently colored thread. And if you're solely focused on patching up those favorite JBrand jeans of yours or a hole in a T-shirt, then that may be all you need.
How To: Sew a pretty embroidered design to your T-shirt
Plain tees are indispensable because you can match them with anything, from the plain to the outrageous. But sometimes you get tired of wearing the same old gray tee shirt time after time and want to spice things up a little.
How To: Turn bootcut jeans into skinny jeans with ModCloth
Skinny jeans are by and large the most popular cut of jeans in the fashion world right now, but purchasing a solid pair (from JBrand or William Rast) could set you back upwards of $300. And really, who wants to drop $300 for a few strips of denim that happen to have a name brand label sewn on the butt?
How To: Turn winter's turtleneck into spring's cute tube top with Gianny L
This tube top is the literal way to transform your winter wardrobe into your spring/summer wardrobe. Using a bland turtleneck which you are sure to have in stock from all those Christmas presents from older relatives, you can create a breezy tube top that's perfect for going to the beach.
How To: Repurpose last season's skirt into a cute tote bag
Vintage is in right now, but that doesn't mean everything you can dig up in your mother's closet is fashionable (we're thinking her neon '80s balloon pants here). If you happen to find a skirt in her collection that's dyed a nice color but cut entirely wrong to look good on anybody, repurpose it rather than throw it in the trash.
How To: Make a DIY chic tube dress with Gianny L
Nothing says chic like DIY. With spring and summer just around the corner, this breezy and elegant tube dress is all you need to stay cool. See how to make a DIY chic tube dress in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make a tattered heart V-Day T-shirt with Gianny L
St. Valentine's Day is coming up soon in February, but do you have a special outfit planned for that special someone? Well, even if you don't have a valentine, this tattered heart black shirt will show the world you care. See how to make a tattered heart Valentine's Day T-shirt in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Create comfortable and cheap pajama tops with Gianny L
One of the most important things in a person's life is sleep (some of us don't get enough of it, and some of us get too much). Why not make it one of the most comfortable things, too? Having the right sleeping attire is great for comfort, especially when you make them custom yourself. See how to make pajama tank top in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make cheap and cute pajama pants with Gianny L
Sleep is one of the most important things in a person's life. So why not make it one of the most comfortable things, too? Having the right sleeping attire is great for comfort, especially when you make them custom yourself. See how to make pajama pants in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Add pizazz to your flip flops with Gianny L
God knows there are a lot of shabby sandals around today. The only solution to the perfect pair of flip-flops is to mod them yourself. Add a little glamour to your sandals and see how to glam up your flip-flops in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make a cheap Tinkerbell costume from a T-shirt
The alluring and stylish GiannyL is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Do-it-yourself has never been so sexy before. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.
How To: Make fashionable leggings with minimal sewing
The alluring and stylish GiannyL is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Do-it-yourself has never been so sexy before. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.
How To: Make an adorable Pucca costume for Halloween
Pucca is an adorable Japanese girl whose always chasing after her true - but reluctant - love, Garu, in her Pucca comics and on zillions of branded accessories. Her distinctive two side buns and upturned eyes make her an easy character to love, and lots of young girls enjoy reading about her adventures in love.
How To: Make fashionable harem pants with Gianny L
Fashion doesn't have to be restrictive or uncomfortable, we swear. Thanks to the recent high fashion runway trend of harem pants seen at multiple shows in Paris, Milan, and New York, we now have a fashionable clothing item that doesn't (literally) take our breath away or suffocate our baby toe.
How To: Craft a breezy bat sleeve blouse with Gianny L
No, you're not going to look like a cheesy impersonation of Batman when you don this "bat sleeve" blouse. Composed of wide sleeves that encourage free air flow (always good, especially for sisters with sweaty armpits. Yes, we went there) and a nipped in waist, this blouse is flattering and comfortable at the same time.
How To: Transform an old T-shirt into a cool formfitting tank top with Gianny L
T-shirts are practical and unfailingly comfortable, but not particularly known for looking either sexy or fashionable (they're more, shall we say, frumpy, than anything else). But did you know that within the ugly duckling that is your blank gray T-shirt is a beautiful swan of a tank top just waiting to get out?
How To: Create personalized boxer shorts for Valentine's Day
Before you know it, Valentine's Day will be here. Or your boyfriend's birthday. Or your two year anniversary. And while buying the newest techie gadget for your boy will earn you a gold star on your head, you can truly get his heart racing by making him a pair personalized boxer shorts.
How To: Make a miniature backpack out of old jeans
Recently gained some weight (or lost a few pounds after getting yourself hooked on an intense exercise routine)? We've all been there, and know that your clothes probably aren't fitting the way they used to. But don't just throw your outdated threads into a plastic bag and toss them to Goodwill.
How To: Make a sleeveless draped cardigan in 30 seconds with Gianny L
Do you remember how to work a pair of scissors from 5th grade art class? Then you can definitely make this unbelievably easy sleeveless draped cardigan. Taking less than 30 seconds to make, all you have to do is trace two circles the size of your upper arm onto a piece of fabric.
How To: Make a girly, dainty cocktail dress for cheap with Gianny L
Got about two to three yards of a slinky cloth? Then that's all you need to make yourself a flirty cocktail dress in time for your next big soiree!
How To: Make a jewelry organizer out of a scarf and hanger
It's a common snafu: You're running late to a date with this cute guy you met at your English class last week, and you just HAVE to put on earrings. But as soon as you pick one out of the landfill-like dump, the rest of the earrings fly up with your selection, tangled and impossible to separate.
How To: Recycle an old T-shirt into a 2-piece bikini
Fashion a bikini absolutely no one else at the beach this summer will have by watching this sewing tutorial by GiannyL. Using only an old T-shirt, you'll learn how to cut the T-shirt into pieces and refashion it into a two-piece bikini.
How To: Repurpose plastic shopping bags into weavable plarn
Plastic bags on their own aren't quite strong enough to hold anything too heavy (at least not for an extended period of time), but when broken down into "plarn" - plastic yarn - they can be woven into some very sturdy fabric.
How To: Create a drawstring halter/dress out of old T-shirts
A drawstring halter dress is so perfect for summer. They're cute and breezy, allowing your skin to breathe, and aren't too boxy, so they don't visually add extra pounds to your silhouette.
How To: Repurpose an old T-shirt into a pillow
Due to the current bohemian/indie trend in music, film, and fashion, vintage and recycled wares are in high demand and sell like hotcakes in many stores. But don't waste your hard-earned money on overpriced vintage goods when you have the materials lying around the house to make them yourself.
How To: Turn T-shirts into cotton tube yarn
Yarn is certainly not the most expensive fabric-making material world, but why would you spend $5 for a roll when you can spin together yarn yourself?
How To: Dye fabric items with coffee or tea
We've all heard of dying paper with tea dye for an aged, vintage effect. But did you know you could use tea (and coffee) to dye other things as well, including T-shirts and yarn?
How To: Turn old jeans into a figure flattering pencil skirt
We all know we should dress for our body type, and that there are different cuts and fits of clothing specifically tailored to enhance our shapes, but there exists one universally flattering piece of clothing out there that we believe flatters all: the pencil skirt.
How To: Recycle old jeans into an embellished mini skirt
It's so easy to toss an old pair of jeans into the trash or to donate it to the Salvation Army, but if you put your mind to it you can still reuse your musty jeans, just not in the same way you used to use them.
How To: Deal with persistent thread breaking while sewing
Solve your persistent thread breaking problems by watching this video and getting advice from fashion designer Natalie.
How To: Make a bohemian apron for cooking
When cooking, it's always a good idea to wear an apron. They prevent any kind of spills from ruining your clothing and can be used as a shield to proetect you from hot liquids. So in this tutorial, you'll be finding ou thow to make an apron with a bohemian style look to it. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Make a pillowcase dress
In this video, learn how to make a little girl's dress out of a pillowcase. In this tutorial, learn how to take a unique vintage pillowcase and turn it into a stylish, cute dress that any little girl will love. This dress is pretty easy to make and your daughter will look great in it for years to come.
How To: Sew a blanket stitch
Using felt or another thick fabric for your current sewing project? Need to reinforce the edge of a thick material? You will then need the blanket stitch! In this tutorial, learn how to sew a blanket stitch the correct way.
How To: How Do You Embroider Wonder Bread? Very, Very Carefully
Or so says embroidery artist Catherine McEver. The quirky creator also says: "How long do they last? I have a couple of slices that are over four years old that look just like new."
How To: Make a surrounding loop for your hair bow
Steal Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf hair bow look by creating your own hair accessories! In this video from Hair Hardware, learn how to make a pretty surrounding loop to give your hair bow a finished look! Leave your house each morning feeling as if you left a stylist's wardrobe closet by creating these A+ accessories that will take your look from drab to fab!
How To: Apply a center knot to your hair bows
From Hair Hardware, learn how to apply a center knot to finish off your hair bow! Take your hairstyle to the next level and rock a stylin' do with help from this free video! Stop going the easy route: With a little time and effort, you'll walk out the door feeling like you just left a stylist!