Active Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Make your own decorative pillowcase
This is a great home decor tip that will definitely save on your budget. You can use discontinued designer fabrics for this. Cut your swatches into strips and then sew to match your pillow. Then just add a sturdy zipper and you're done!
How To: Turn a pair of old jeans into some cute summer sandals
If your jeans have worn out from wearing them all winter, don't throw them out! You can easily recycle them into a cute pair of summer sandals! All you will need, apart from the jeans, are a few basic sewing notions.
How To: Turn your old jeans into a denim pouch
Don't throw out your old, worn out jeans - repurpose them! This video shows you how to take some of your old blue jeans and transform them into a useful, elegant and classy denim pouch. All you need are a few basic sewing supplies.
How To: Recycle your old and outdated clothes into updated new fashions
Sifting through your closet, you've found a bunch of clothes that are still wearable but hopelessly out of date. Instead of waiting for the fashions to cycle around again, here are a few tips on how you can update old clothes.
How To: Recycle an old wedding dress into a chic new dress
You don't have to use your own wedding dress - just use one you find at a thrift store! This tutorial shows you a great way to take an old and outdated wedding dress and turn it into a chic dress.
How To: Turn your old jeans into a rag rug
Collect all your old and worn jeans, then cut off the hems, cuffs and seams. Sew them all together onto a piece of backing fabric, and you have your own floor mat or rag rug. A great way to recycle old clothes.
How To: Upcycle an old and worn out pair of jeans
Sometimes jeans are just beyond repair, but it doesn't seem quite right to throw them away. This video gives you a few good ideas on how you can upcycle a worn out pair of jeans into a lampshade or notebook cover.
How To: Create a small capelet out of a vintage felted sweater
Start with a wool sweater, which you can easily find in any thrift or vintage store. Then felt it by running it through the dryer a couple of times to shrink it. Now you're ready to turn it into an elegant capelet!
How To: Create an applique motif using a simulated needle turn technique
This is a quick and easy shortcut that shows you how to simulate the needle turn effect when you're attaching a fabric applique. This also helps you hide a raw edge, which gives your entire project a cleaner and more professional look.
How To: Sew a simple and easy drawstring bag
A drawstring bag has a thousand different uses, and it's a great way to use up some of the bigger scraps in your fabric stash. This tutorial shows you a quick and easy way to sew a lined drawstring bag.
How To: Sew a curved hem that won't bunch or gather
Sewing a curved hem, such as a cuff or sleeve, can sometimes be tricky. Frustrated because your curved hems never lay flat and smooth? This tutorial shows you a few good techniques you can use to easily sew a professional looking curved hem.
How To: Sew a correct and elegant French seam
This seam is ideal for use on garments that will be washed often, such as lingerie or children's wear. It also adds a professional, finished look to your final garment. Here's an easy and quick way to sew your own French seam.
How To: Add a silk ribbon binding to your sewing project
Don't be intimidated by this couture technique - it's actually quite easy! Sew a silk ribbon binding to your project as a way to stabilize it. All you need is the ribbon, your fabric and a few extra sewing notions.
How To: Create your own leopard print dyed shirt
Leopard print is one of the newest trends, and you can easily create your own leopard print style garment at home. All you need is a basic white T-shirt (or whatever you want to dye), the dye itself and a few other accessories.
How To: Dye your tights in colorful patterns
Take a plain pair of basic tights, your favorite color of fabric dye and then follow the outlined steps to dye them using a few different techniques. Add your own style, attach embellishments, layer them... the possibilities for these tihgts are endless!
How To: Sew your own super easy skirt
All you need to know how to do is trace a line in order to be able to turn a T-shirt into a cute skirt! You'll also need some tailor's chalk, a sewing machine (or needle and thread), scissors and some straight pins.
How To: Cut out a basic sewing pattern without getting intimidated
So you've bought your fist sewing pattern and unfolded it - but now there all these lines and triangles and dots! What does it all mean? Where do you cut? Here are a few hints - don't forget to iron your pattern, it really does help.
How To: Choose the right fabric for your sewing project
The success or failure of your sewing project relies only in part on your skill - if you choose the wrong fabric, it won't matter how good you are. But picking the right fabric will forgive many small errors you might make. Also, learn the difference between woven and knit fabrics.
How To: Embroider by using a running stitch
The running stitch is one of the most basic stitches, used in both embroidery and sewing. This tutorial shows you how to use it for your embroidery projects. A running stitch is best used for outlining the rest of your threadwork.
How To: Transfer an embroidery pattern onto your fabric
There are several different techniques you can use to transfer a pattern onto the fabric you want to embroider, depending on the color and type of the fabric you want to embellish. This video shows you three separate techniques, such as chalk pencils or tracing paper.
How To: Make quick and easy gifts with materials around the house
This tutorial shows you a quick and easy way to make a few gifts, usually for things you find around the house. Turn an old sweater into a pair of leg warmers, or dress up an old Tshirt with a few accessories.
How To: Sew a perfect quarter inch seam without using pins
It's not impossible! This tutorial is a super easy technique you can use to sew a curved seam (such as cap sleeves) without having to use pins, which can create difficult bunching. All you need really is a Curve Master presser foot attachment!
How To: Master the basics of hand sewing
Sometimes, hand sewing is a better idea than machine sewing - or maybe you just don't have a sewing machine, but still want to sew a few things. This tutorial shows you the materials and techniques you'll need to get started hand sewing.
How To: Transform a pillowcase into a cute dress
This is a great summer dress you can make for a young girl out of a pillowcase. Even better, you're shown how to sew French seams for finishing, which gives it a professional and high quality look when you're done.
How To: Sew together a simple ribbon rose for Valentine's Day
We know that the Christmas rush has just past and you're probably still reeling from the eggnog and jet lag. But now that it's January, it's time to start thinking about the next holiday our our list: Valentine's Day.
How To: Sew a 42 block vintage inspired quilt
Now that winter has taken temperatures down below freezing, you're probably shivering in your pantaloons as you read this. Keep yourself warm by wiggling your fingers to craft this quilt, and then snuggle with it to keep yourself nice and toasty.
How To: Turn those old unused sweaters into a new pair of mittens
You know that old pile of sweaters you've been looking at for ages? Well, do NOT take them to the dump! You can turn those sweaters into mittens with this simple, step-by-step video which proves that recycling is the way to go. You'll need some old sweaters, some scissors and a sewing machine.
How To: Apply fabric paint using the dry brush method
This tutorial uses a flower being painted on a piece of white fabric to show you how to use the dry brush technique to paint your fabric. Dress it up with beads, sequins or embroidery when you're done painting your design!
How To: Add a zippered pocket to the lining of your designer handbag
This is a quick and easy tutorial, great for anyone interested in learning how to make their own designer handbag. Add in a zippered pocket to the inside lining of your handbag. You will need a window stencil and a craft knife as well as your notions. Add a zippered pocket to the lining of your designer handbag.
How To: Make half square triangle quilted coasters
In this episode of the Crafty Gemini Show you'll learn some quilting basics and make a small project out of what you learn. You'll be run through some quilting terminology, including what a pieced quilt is, what quilt blocks are, and how to make half-square triangle block units using a super easy method where you can make two blocks at once.
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 "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: Sew your own set of blackout Roman blinds
This tutorial shows you how to sew your own set of black out or Roman blinds. You will need some heavy fabric in your chosen colors, a large work table, a steam iron and a heavy duty sewing machine or serger.
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 Lady Gaga inspired disco ball bra
Ladies, it doesn't have to be Halloween or a special dress-up party for you to wear this fabulous, diva-esque bra. In fact, we'd wear it under our "normal people" clothes while getting coffee just because it makes us feel fierce.
How To: Make Lady Gaga's "Dance in the Dark" purple costume
Lady Gaga's song "Dance in the Dark" is not one of her better known catchy tunes, but the costume she wears when performing the song is one that begs for imitation.
How To: Craft Lady Gaga's fantastic rhinestone-studded lobster headpiece
Okay, so first of all don't be fooled: this is by no means an easy or a fast craft tutorial. But trust us, when you take a gander of your sexy Lady Gaga self in the mirror, it'll all be worth it.
How To: Craft Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" monster black crown and glasses
If you want to look like Gaga fast for a dress up party, then there's no better way than to don one of Lady Gaga's favorite accessories: A crazy hat. If you're looking for an easy one to make quickly at home, then check out this tutorial to learn how to craft the black monster hat she wears in "Bad Romance" as well as the glasses.
How To: Sew Lady Gaga's lightning bolt t-shirt from "Lovegame"
Few of Lady Gaga's costumes are wearable on the everyday unless you're a drag queen or doing theater. Lobster headpieces and orbital solar system gowns are, after all, slightly on the theatrical side.
How To: Make Lady Gaga's "The Fame" cover beaded crystal glasses
These Lady Gaga glasses look like they'd obstruct your vision more than help it out, but you can actually see through them well enough to walk around without stumbling.