Active Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Make a quillow without a pattern as a gift
A quillow is a blanket that, when folded, can serve double duty as a pillow. You will need fabric for the front and back as well as some batting and regualr sewing notions. This is a great Christmas or holiday gift even a beginner can make!
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: Use a ruffler foot on a sewing machine to sew ruffles
The ruffler foot on your sewing machine allows you to sew ruffles far more quickly and easily than having to do it by hand. This tutorial demonstrates how to set up your ruffler foot and then how to use it when sewing ruffles.
How To: Create Christmas tree napkins using a serger
You can make a lovely napkin shaped like a Christmas tree using just two fabric circles and a sewing serger. With a little folding, you can even make these napkins reversible! Great for a beginner to intermediate seamstress or sewer.
How To: Make holiday napkin rings out of gold ribbon and felt
Want to dress up your holiday entertaining this Christmas season? You can create your own elegant napkin rings from gold, wire-edged ribbon, green felt, pipe cleaners and a ponytail holder. Add a little glitter yarn or sparkly ribbon for some extra pizazz!
How To: Make a set of double sided holiday napkins
This is a project even beginning seamstresses and sewers can accomplish! Make a lovely set of double-sided napkins with a holiday flair. This craft can be used as a holiday gift, a home decoration or for use when entertaining guests.
How To: Make little soldier Christmas ornaments out of clothespins
These little holiday crafts make a cute addition to any gift or stocking stuffer. Make a tiny soldier ornament - all you need is a wooden clothespin, some popsicle sticks, a pom pom hat, gold ribbon, red, blue and black paint, and a little bit of glue.
How To: Make your own trendy circle scarf
Want to be on top of the trends this winter season? Circle scarfs are in now, and they are super easy to make! All you need is two yards of your favorite fabric, then sew it into a tube to create your own scarf.
How To: Recycle your old clothes into a trendy fringe scarf
This is a great DIY project you can do without having to sew. Find a knit garment you don't wear anymore, like a dress or a t-shirt, and then follow the steps in this video to quickly and easily make your own trendy fringed scarf.
How To: Upcycle an old A-line skirt into a "Harry Potter" wizard cape
When it comes to "Harry Potter" movie premieres, it seems that you just can't get through one without wondering if the movie theater you're at has turned into Hogwarts. The true fans always dress up in their wizarding best, from long cloaks to striped ties to Harry's famous glasses and lightning bolt scar.
How To: Sew an urban chic pattern lined hoodie
Plain hoodies are among the most versatile pieces of clothing you can own. But while they're comfortable and chic, plain hoodies can also look a little dull, especially if all you're wearing is sweats or blue jeans with them.
How To: Dress up a clutch bag by adding studs and rhinestones
Want to give a tired old clutch purse a much needed facelift? You can improve the look of any handbag by using studs and rhinestones. This tutorial shows you how to pick, arrange and attach the best studs for your accessories.
How To: Sew a chic and elegant holiday chair cover with ribbons
What do you look forward to most during the holiday season? Sugar cookies sprinkled and iced into a cute snowman shape are always enjoyable, but for us it's all about the decorating. There's nothing quite like putting on Bing Crosby and affixing ornaments onto the tree while sipping hot cocoa.
How To: Make a bow using a fork
Need to wrap a present for an upcoming celebration but have no extra money to blow on pre-made ribbons and bows? Then check out this super quick tutorial on how to make a bow using a fork.
How To: Tie a Bowline knot with one hand
This is a video tutorial in the Arts & Crafts category where you are going to learn how to tie a Bowline knot with one hand. Doing this is really simple and easy and doesn't take any time at all. Hang a line from any support. Take the lower end, that is the running end in one hand and pass it around the standing end. Then take it out through the loop and pass the running end around the standing end and pull it out through the loop. Tighten the knot and it's done. It's really that simple and e...
How To: Upcycle an old tank into an overall tank top
Got an old tank top that has a beautiful print but whose shape is a little out of fashion? Don't just let it collect dust in your closet or toss it over to Goodwill! Check out this DIY video to learn how to sew together an overall tank top.
How To: Add personal embellishments to a tote bag
You're probably more than aware by now of the recyclable, reusable tote trend at most stores. Rather than waste a plastic bag, which is non-renewable, you tug along a few cloth tote bags to the store to put your purchases in.
How To: Make eccentric fabric coasters with Whitney Sews
Still using those boring plastic coasters that you got at a sale at Ralph's? Add some personal style to the mix the next time you serve your friends some soda by making your own coasters!
How To: Sew leggings using the M6173 Pattern by McCalls
Leggings have the unique ability of covering you up (as long as we're not talking sub zero temperatures here) and keeping you warm and fashionable at the same time. They allow you to continue wearing certain fall dresses into fall. and look great in a pair of boots.
How To: Transform your old jeans into fashionable shorts
Got a pair of old blue jeans that fit you like a glove but you recently spilled a can of paint all over the bottom and now it just makes you look like a contractor every time you wear it? Don't toss your jeans out!
How To: Customize your jeans six different ways with DIY tips
Just because when you bought your jeans it said that it was just one type of jean - bootcut or skinny - doesn't mean you can't wear it in different ways by either rolling them up or by slashing in holes to make them look worn.
How To: Make a DIY double braided elastic headband
Bohemian headbands are everywhere in Hollywood. Fashion designer and waif Nicole Richie is frequently spotted wearing them around town as well as on the red carpet (showing just how versatile they are), and Mischa Barton doesn't leave the house without one.
How To: Create a faux quilted pumpkin for a fall decoration
Add a little fall feeling to your home with this lovely craft - create faux quilted pumpkins. You will need a styrofoam ball, fat quarters of fabric in various fall colors, crafting glue, a paint brush and a small piece of wood to use as the stem.
How To: Sew stuffed pumpkins as an autumn decoration
Here's an adorable and fun decorating idea that you can use all through the autumn! Make a patch full of adorable stuffed fabric pumpkins. You'll need some orange and green fabric scraps, straight pins, a hand sewing needle, scissors and stuffing or batting.
How To: Make a hair bow with and without a tail
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a hair bow with and without a tail. First, take a long and thick ribbon in your choice of color and a thin ribbon in your choice of color. After this, grab a needle and thread and set it aside once it's threaded. Then, take your thick ribbon and fold it into a bow shape. From here, take the needle and sew the ribbon down the middle of the bow. After this, take the smaller ribbon and tie this in the center of the bow. When finished, you will glue this to ...
How To: Cross stitch
In this tutorial, we learn how to cross stitch. This is easy to master and just involves using one stitch. To start, you will first need to line your fabric up with the needle and mark the center. From here, secure it to the back with a small knot. Next, you will put this around an embroidery circle and then tie the thread to the needle. From here, start with the center point and count out how many spots you need to go on the design. After this, create a diagonal stitch across one block of th...
How To: Make cute little hair clips
In this tutorial, we learn how to make cute little hair clips. These will add a fashion statement to any hair style and they are easy to create! To start, you will take some thin ribbon and bend it all together until it creates a large ribbon. After this, you will wrap it together in the center until it's a bow shape. From here, add in more colors or accessories. Then, use a hot glue gun to attach a clip to the base of it. Let this dry and then you can clip it into your hair! Make a lot of th...
How To: Recycle an old t-shirt into a no-sew head scarf
In this tutorial, we learn how to recycle an old t-shirt into a no-sew head scarf. First, lay your shirt out flat on a table and download the paper pattern from the video. From here, measure sixteen inches from side to side on the t-shirt that you are using. After this, follow the paper pattern on the shirt and cut out the pattern with scissors. Once you have finished this, use a fabric bonding agent to make the edges less frayed and fold them into each other. This is great for the environmen...
How To: Make Naruto gloves
In this video, we learn how to make Naruto gloves. First, you will need to take an old black sock, thread, needle, and scissors. After this, you will cut the top off the sock and then put it on your hand. After this, you will need to use the needle and thread to sew in between the fingers on the sock. When all of these are patched, up you will add a fake metal plate to the top of it. You can glue this on with a hot glue gun. When finished drying, you will be able to wear this out, enjoy!
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.
How To: Make Tabi socks
In this video, we learn how to make Tabi socks. You will need: pair of socks, thread, a needle, and scissors. First, you will turn the right sock inside out and put on your foot. Then, you will spread your big toe and second toe out as much as possible. From here, you will use a pencil to mark on the foot where you want to cut. Then, take the sock off and cut it out where you marked it. Take the needle and thread and sew along the shape that you cut out, to create separation between the toes....
How To: Make a sewing optional Greek goddess costume for Halloween
Would you believe us if we said you could put together a last minute Halloween costume in less than two minutes? The very idea sounds preposterous, but we're not bluffing.
How To: Create a simple deconstructed sweater using only scissors
You don't need to be a Martha Stewart with the needle and thread to create cool, impressive clothing. In fact, you often don't need a needle and thread at all to upcycle your old, tired clothes.
Friday Fresh: Make Katy Perry's Cupcake Boobs & More
This week, we're taking a look at all that's sweet and spicy about Halloween. The time is almost here, and you've got to perfect your look and your treats. Make them something special that anyone will remember!
How To: Upcycle an old t-shirt into a fashionable fringe scarf
Fringes are definitely trendy this season, and you can jump on the trend bus without breaking the bank! You can turn an old T-shirt into a fashionable fringed scarf just by making a few cuts. Pick a shirt as colorful as you want!
How To: Make a simple scrappy statement necklace
Scraps and fringe are in! You can make your own scrappy necklace, just using scraps or remnants (which you might be able to get for free from your local fabric store!). Cut them and assemble into your own scrappy statement necklace!
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: Dye your clothes red or pink with dye made from strawberries
Make your own environmentally friendly dye at home, out of strawberries! You'll also need some vinegar, salt and old nylon stockings. Mash up your strawberries, strain them in the nylon and then boil your strawberry puree with salt, vinegar and your fabric.
How To: Make Katy Perry's cupcake boobs from "California Gurls" for Halloween
Katy Perry wears some seriously outrageous costumes in her music video for "California Gurls," but one of our favorite and funnest costumes were the cupcake boobs and rhinestone-encrusted Daisy Dukes she wore during the last dance sequence.
How To: Create an elaborate floral nymph crown for Halloween
Thanks to Sookie Stackhouse, whose fairy lineage was revealed recently in season 3 of "True Blood," fairies are hotter than ever, and after so much blood, gore, and overall gruesomeness with our culture's fascination with vamps and werewolves, it's nice to finally bring pretty back.