Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Easily make a paracord ladder strap
If you like tying different things just for show or to use, then you're going to love this next tutorial. This video will teach you how to easily make a paracord ladder strap. It looks really cool and seems easy to do, but it could take some time to finish. It's created using a variety of different colors and is sure to make others go, "Wow." So check it out, pay attention, and good luck!
How To: Create faux fur earmuffs and wrap holiday gifts
During the winter holidays, we want nothing more than to snuggle up into our Snuggie tents, put on Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," and sip a steaming hot cup of hot chocolate. But during those times we force ourselves to go outdoors (to, you know, go to work and stuff), we prefer covering up as much as we can.
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: Create a floral $2 reversible wrap skirt
Making your own dress saves you enough money as it is, and you'll be double the frugalista if you make that dress reversible. Though creating a two-sided reversible dress sounds hard to do, by adding a few tie straps it's about as easy as sewing an apron.
How To: Use sewing patterns for beginners with Whitney Sews
We totally get that sewing patterns purchased at a fabric store can be intimidating. With neverending pages of sketched out designs, random numbers everywhere, and little way of orienting yourself, sewing patterns seem to complicate the sewing process rather than facilitate it.
How To: Sew easy pillow shams from old t-shirts and fabric
Anyone who's tried to redecorate their home or even one room in their home knows that between new furniture, paint, and new upholstery, the budget for the job - or lack thereof - begins to skyrocket quickly.
How To: Recycle an old t-shirt into a headband
Got an old T-shirt lying around that's too small to wear but too cute to throw away? Oh what a dilemma. Rather than let your pretty T-shirt sit in your closet or attic and collect dust over the years as you decide what to do with it, give it new life by repurposing it into a headband.
How To: Sew a cute fleece beret for winter
Berets are as much of a staple as thick wool trenchcoats during the winter: they're soft, cozy, and look great no matter what you wear with them. And throwing one on your noggin' instantly injects you with a bit of French flavor.
How To: Recycle an old flea market jacket into cushion covers
When you move into your first apartment, it's a magical and joyous experience. And then the reality hits that you're broke, have no furniture, and the shower doesn't work. We've all been there, and while we can't aid you with your shower problems, we can help with turning mismatched flea market chairs into a set of more coherent seats.
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: Turn a preppy shirt into a casual button-up princess top with Gianny L
Get rid of all your preppy shirts by morphing them into something spectacular. This is chic simplicity. A smart and casual princess cut button-up shirt that will never go out of style. See how to turn a preppy shirt into a cute princess top in this video from GiannyL.
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: Create a cheap "Alice in Wonderland" costume
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.