Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Draft a pattern for a bodice at home for free
Instead of paying for expensive patterns that might not even fit you perfectly, create your own! This tutorial shows you how to take your own measurements and then draft a bodice pattern. It's very easy, and a great way to get lots of free patterns!
How To: Embroider on satin
Satin fabric is luxurious, delicate, and surprisingly sturdy and resilient. To learn more about embroidering on satin: stabilizer choices, needles, and design selections, watch this embroidery video tutorial. Master the art of satin embroidery!
How To: Thread a bobbin on a side threading sewing machine
This video shows how to thread your bobbin on a side threading sewing machine. We start off by making sure that the needle is in the most upright position. The upper thread guide when moved to the most top of its travel, the needle is in the most upright position.Then you take the bobbin case and your bobbin. Make sure the thread is coming up over the top towards you and not underneath and over the back. Slip in the bobbin into its case, put the thread through the groove under the potential s...
How To: Sew a Victorian skirt
This video demonstrates how to sew a Victorian skirt. First take a cotton cloth and cut a rectangle piece twice the size of your waist. The length would be depending on your choice of height you require. Hem the top and the bottom of the cloth. Then use elastic thread to create 12 rows of shirring. Each row can be 1/4th inch apart. This is for sure a tedious task but it will look beautiful. Then take a chiffon cloth and cut the same size as your skirt. Hem one side of it and on the other side...
How To: Sew a dress shirt collar
By using sewing pattern Simplicity 4670, the author of this tutorial video takes you through the steps needed to produce a great shirt collar. First you should attach interfacing to one piece of the shirt collar. Here you will be using fusible interfacing and taking the facing to the shirt collar iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Sew a guide line that is 5/8ths of an inch wide along the notched edge of the shirt collar's facing piece. At the dot markings of the collar clip...
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: Draft a free pattern for a custom sewn shirt
Drafting your own patterns isn't difficult - and it's a great way to get not only a free pattern, but to make sure that your pattern is custom fit to your own measurements. This video shows you how to draft a basic shirt pattern from scratch.
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: 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: Thread a Brother sewing machine
Thread cassettes on a sewing machine allow you to advance prepare desired threads. This how-to video provides a video guide for using a Brother sewing machine, how to read indicator lights, and how to set the machine up for sewing. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to thread the cassette on a Brother sewing machine.
How To: Transform a Bra into a Sexy Baby Doll
Start with one of your favorite bras, and then get some tricot or chiffon and thick elastic tape in a matching color, plus a contrasting ribbon. Then just follow the tutorial to make your own super sexy baby doll lingerie!
How To: Quickly hem the edge for any garment without a sewing machine
So you don't have a sewing machine, but your favorite pair of jeans or shirt has a hem that is coming undone. You can use a liquid fabric glue, like Perky Bond, Stitch Witch or Steam A Seam, to quickly fix any hem.
How To: Create cute underwear from old t-shirts
You've probably seen old t-shirts being turned into dresses, miniskirts, and if you're a fan of Gianny L, even two-piece bikinis, but you've probably never even thought about it transforming them into underwear. It may seem a bit odd at first, but making these intimate pieces from t-shirts means you can customize the pattern as well as the type of cut (cheeky, granny top, or thong?).
How To: Make a bohemian loose sleeve maxi dress with Gianny L
A maxi dress, or a loose dress with an empire waistline, is not only a summer staple. If you add some length to the bottom hemline then you can easily wear a maxi dress during the fall that'll keep you warm, comfortable, and gorgeous looking.
How To: Sew a blind hem stitch with a Viking hem foot
Watch this how-to video and learn how to sew a blind hem stitch step by step. A blind hem stitch is the perfect stitch to use when hemming your draperies. Blind hem stitches are perfect when you don't want to see the stitches on the front side of your fabric.
How To: Do the Wheat Stitch
If you are a beginner at hand embroidery, one of the first stitches you will probably learn is the chain stitch. The chain stitch has many variations, and one of them is the wheat stitch, also known as the wheatear stitch. This stitch is simple to work and produces a line that resembles a shaft of wheat. The stitch can be used in all kinds of applications - it would make great background greenery in flowers and gardens, it can also serve as a seam embellishment in crazy quilting, and it can s...
How To: Make a no sew tied fleece blanket
Want to get started in the world of blanket making but don't know how to sew? No sweat. There are ways to get around sewing to make a very cool no-sew fleece blanket through just knots and ties alone. Learn how to create an awesome gift for your loved ones this winter with help from this free tutorial.
How To: Make a reversible waist cincher for your Renaissance Faire outfit
This is an easy tutorial that will go well with any Renaissance Faire outfit or similar costume. By using two different types of fabric, you can even make it reversible and increase the number of costumes you can wear it with.
How To: Use embroidery scissors
Kenneth D. King of ThreadBanger demonstrates one way to use a scissor known as an embroidery scissor, which is a very tiny scissor with a slightly curved blade. The curved blade prevents the points of the scissors from poking through the fabric, which is very important when you need to trim something close to the fabric. This comes in handy for uses other than embroidery.
How To: Make a tablecloth
Learn how to make a tablecloth with expert tips on sewing, pinning, and trimming in this free home decoration video series on making a tablecloth.
How To: Cut up an old t-shirt and turn it into a corset halter top
Repurpose your old T-shirts! Create a fun summer look by creating a halter top/corset style look out of an old T-shirt. All you need is a sharp pair of scissors and a few embellishements or accessories. You won't even need a sewing machine.
How To: Upcycle a tired old sofa, loveseat or overstuffed chair
Rescue a piece of roadside furniture, or give your own loveseat or couch a new look. This tutorial shows you how you can upcycle and add some new upholstery. Make sure you are careful to clean any furniture you find on the side of the road.
How To: Tie a Japanese bow knot
If you're looking to tie something that is elegant and beautiful, then this next tutorial has something for you. This video is going to show you step-by-step on how to tie a Japanese bow knot.
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 tailored jacket with OTIS College of Art&Design
Some trends come and go, but true style is timeless - just look at Coco Chanel, whose menswear two piece suits and quilted bags are just as beautiful today as when she wore them in the 1920's. And a tailored jacket is one piece that every woman should have - contoured, slimming, and sleek, it's as wearable to an office meeting as to lunch with the gals.
How To: Sew a hem
Sure, you can always use iron-on hem tape to shorten those pants, but maybe it’s time to join the 35 million Americans who can sew—yes, with a needle and thread—a hem.
How To: Make round box pillows
Square edges on a round box pillow are easy if you follow the steps. Learn the more obvious, but often overlooked, techniques for laundering buttoned pillow covers. This video goes over it all, just make sure to click the Real Player or Quicktime link to start the actual video.
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: Use a circular embroidery guide on a sewing machine
To use a circular embroidery guide on a sewing machine, loosen screw at back of the presser foot ankle just enough to insert a circular embroidery guide from left. The radius of the circle is determined by placement of the guide in the holder. Secure the guide with a screw. Place the stabilizer under fabric. Mark the center point on fabric with marking pen. Align the center of the fabric with the rubber point of the circular embroidery guide. Put a flat tack under the fabric and up through th...
How To: Sew a Euro hem
Sewing a Euro hem on blue jeans makes them look professionally tailored. Learn to sew a Euro hem with this free sewing video series.
How To: Do the Whipped Running Stitch
Another hand embroidery stitch that's great for beginning embroidery - the whipped running stitch. It's a simple, quick stitch to work. This stitch is one of many line stitches that can be used for bold or delicate outlines, depending on your choice of thread. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.
How To: Do the Oyster Stitch
The oyster stitch is an isolated stitch. It is a combination stitch using the twisted detached chain stitch which is "surrounded" by an "open" chain stitch, or even a fly stitch. The oyster stitch makes a filled oval shape, suitable for flower petals or individual buds and accents. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.
How To: Embroider mini wine bottle aprons for party favors
Add a dash of creativity and a pinch of color to your kitchen with embroidered bottle aprons. Dress up soaps, syrups, oil, and wine bottles with a bit of embroidery frill and fun. These mini aprons will definitely be the talk of the party! Watch this instructional video and start embroidering right now.
How To: Use a piping foot on a sewing machine
Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to use a piping foot on a sewing machine. A piping foot is used to stitch piping into the fabric of a seam. Use a piping foot on a sewing machine.
How To: Make a Solomon Bar decorative knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a Solomon bar decorative knot. You will start by grabbing the ring at the end of the string, then tie it to an opposite ring. Fold the left side of the string to the right and bring the right over to the left. Pull the left into the loop to create a knot. Now, you will have two string that are more up and two that are more down. Next, tie the top strings into a knot, then bring the right knot behind the bottom two, and thread the left knot into the right...
How To: Decorate your graduation cap
Learn how to decorate your graduation cap. Customizing your graduation cap is a way to stand out among the sea of identical, ill-fitting graduation robes.
How To: Tie a decorative Diamond knot
"How to Tie a Decorative Diamond Knot: Tying It All Together" explains how to tie a decorative diamond knot. The diamond knot is a decorative cylindrical knot, which is also known as the lanyard knot and the knife lanyard knot. Make a loop with one end of the string, and fold the other end parallel in the center of the loop. Feed the end of the right string over the left string and pull down. Fold the right string over and feed through the left side of the loop. Pull a second loop behind the ...
How To: Create Mortal Kombat's Sub Zero costume for Halloween
Remember Mortal Kombat? If you're in your early twenties then you grew up on the stuff in the early and mid nineties, and the franchise was seriously as big as "Twilight" is now.
How To: Embroider your pillows with your own designs
If you've just recently gotten into embroidery, or are bored with the look of your pillow cases and want to give them a personal touch, check out this video! In it you will learn how to embroider your own custom designs right into the pillow cases! Before you know it you will be the envy of the town with your own personally designed pillow cases!
How To: Make an awesome birds nest Easter hat for a boy
Why should women get all the pretty hats at Easter time? You can make a fun and seasonal Easter hat for a boy quite easily! This video shows you how to take a plain hat and turn it into a birds nest hat. You will need: a hat (a plastic party fedora will work just fine), a wide strip of ribbon for the brim, a pair of scissors, some raffia, artificial leaves, a stuffed or toy bird and some craft glue.