Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Tailor your own too large pants so they fit perfectly
Tailors can be expensive, but you can be your own tailor! This tutorial shows you how to take a pair of pants that might be a bit too big around the waist and take them in using professional tailoring techniques.
How To: Craft a Pokemon Pikachu beanie hat for Cosplay
Cosplay, or "costume play," is basically dressing up with costumes and accessories to represent a specific character, usually one in anime (like Sailor Moon) or manga. Like most Japanese fashion trends, cosplay emerged from the trendsetting Harajuku district of Japan and continues to thrive today, even in America when people wear costumes to anime conventions.
How To: Get a loose drawstring back into clothing
If you're drawstring fell out, it may seem like the end of the world, but take a deep breath -- it's possible to put back in!
How To: Use the Omni Stitch machine
This video shows you some of the things you can do with an Omni Stitch machine.We also show you how to attach the feeder.
How To: Start embroidering with some basic stitches
This tutorial is a concise tutorial on the basic embroidery stitches. Learn how to do a French knot, flower, chain stitch, back stitch, outline stitch, satin stitch, and a cross stitch. All you need is some fabric, an embroidery hoop, floss and needle.
How To: Sew a knife edge pillow with a zipper
This is a great project for beginners - sew your own knife edge pillow with a zipper. If you can, use a rotary cutter instead of scissors to get better, cleaner lines for your project. Also get a sturdy zipper.
How To: Make your own Native American princess costume
Be an Indian Princess this Halloween! You can make a fun and sexy Native American costume out of just a few yards of suedecloth (faux suede), along with some beads, feathers and other Native American flavored accessories. Go barefoot, or make your own moccasins!
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: Sew a great DIY cosplay costume
Sewing your own cosplay costume requires a massive investment of time, energy, and sewing skills. Before you get started, you should watch all of this three-part video tutorial on sewing cosplay costumes. It covers everything from buying fabric to the actual sewing and everything in between, and should have you ready for you next anime convention in no time.
How To: Tie the Basket Weave decorative knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to tie the Basket Weave decorative knot. First, hook your string to a hook, then tie a loop that is wide. After this, bring the strings to the top and make a heart shape. Now, twist the two loops on the side and twist them around each other. Now, bring the right string through the right loop and up through the left. Do this for the left string except using the opposite loops. When you are finished, pull on this tightly and release the string from the hook. Make ...
How To: Tie a Paracord Snake Knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to tie a paracord snake knot. Start out with a double overhand knot, by making a loop with two strings and tying it through. After this, start the snake knot by taking the left piece of string and wrapping it around into a loop. Then, take the other piece of string and place it inside the loop, then pull it to the left and wrap it around the other string, then push it through the loop. Continue to do the snake knot until you reach the bottom, then finish it off ...
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Use serrated scissors
Thread and clothing designer, Kenneth D. King, give quick instruction to us on the importance of our cutting tools, more especially the serrated scissors. Here we learn what makes this particular style of scissors so efficient and necessary to our sewing work, as well as what types of materials they ought to be used on. He also gives warning that we should never use our fabric scissors on paper. Great tips for the beginning designer in us all.
How To: Use a sewing machine properly
Even if you never took home ec, you can create simple projects by learning the basics of sewing machine use.
How To: Embroider your own t-shirts
Tshirts are a warm weather favorite and are available in a variety of colors and styles. This instructional embroidery video demonstrates tips and tricks for getting great results when embroidering on thin and stretchy knits. Partake in this embroidery project - makes for fantastic gifts.
How To: Make a primitive folk art doll
Check out this video to learn from Milliande how to make a primitive folk art doll. Start by cutting out your pattern two times (one right side and one wrong side).
How To: Set up the Omni Stitch machine
This video provides you with information on how to set up the Omni Stitch machine.
How To: Set up an embroidery hoop and finish off your work
Watch this video to learn some basic embroidery tips. Discover how to thread a needle the easy way, how to use an embroidery hoop and how to finish off your work.
How To: Maintain your sewing machine after it's been in storage or unused for awhile
Whether you have a Singer sewing machine, a Janome or a Brother, this video is good advice. If your sewing machine has been sitting in storage or has been unused for a long time, you'll need to do a little bit of maintenance before you start it up again.
How To: Fix the thread tension on your home sewing machine
Whether you use a Singer, Brother, Janome or other model of sewing machine, you'll still be able to use this tutorial. If you find that your stitches are too tight, too loose or bunching up on one side, the problem is likely with your thread tension. Here are a few ways to adjust or fix the tension on your sewing machine.
How To: Use the tension knob on a Kenmore sewing machine
Using a sewing machine entails knowing how to the tension knob properly. This sewing how-to video demonstrates how to properly adjust the tension knob on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. The tension knob is located near the front of the sewing machine. It has a dial numbered from 1 to 9. The larger the number, the tighter the tension.
How To: Wrap embroidery thread around a bobbin
In this how-to video, you will learn how to wrap embroidery thread around a bobbin. In this example, the embroidery thread is both purple and light purple, but you can choose whatever you want. First, take the end of the embroidery thread and place it through one of the slots. Hold it back, and then wrap the embroidery thread around the bobbin until you get near the end of the thread. The end should be placed in a different slot on the bobbin. By viewing this video, you will learn how to quic...
How To: Use a sewing machine to make a miniature rug
This series shows how to make a miniature rug on the sewing machine with thread painting which mimics Russian needlepunch. Variegated threads give a lovely blended look similar to wool hooked rugs. The threads used are YLI cotton machine quilting threads.
How To: Tie a single-strand Ringbolt hitch knot
In this video, JD, from Tying It All Together, demonstrates how to tie a knot known as a "Ringbolt Hitch". This is also known as "coxcombing". This type of knot was once a common tie used by sailors to dress-up items and parts of their ships. When tying a wheel, a "Turk's Head" knot was used to cover the part of the wheel where the two ends of the ring bolt met, which would firm up the hitch, and help to keep the tied ends from unraveling. It is a nautical tradition to use this type of knot t...
How To: Tie the decorative Pipa Knot
In this Tying It All Together video tutorial, you will learn how to tie a decorative pipa knot. To begin, take a piece of rope and fold so that you have two strands. Create a loop and take the left strand and loop it around the original loop. Continue doing this until you have layers of loop-like structures, gradually getting smaller and folding into one another. The effect is a woven-like structure. To actually secure the knot, fold the end strand into the last loop and then pull this end st...
How To: Cut tulle or a similar fabric easily
Tulle is often used to make tutus, but the nature of it's composition might make it hard to cut cleanly. This is a very quick video tutorial showing you a few useful tips on the most efficient way to cut tulle fabric.
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: Backstitch sew on a Singer sewing machine
Good habits make your sewing easier. This is a quick video sewing tutorial on backstitching. You'll know what it means when it's mentioned in patterns. Your sewing will be more professional if you remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam. Happy Sewing!
How To: Create a cute off the shoulder sweatshirt by cutting off the collar
Got a bunch of old, chunky sweaters accumulating in your closet? Of course you can donate them to Goodwill, but we're betting that you can get a lot more mileage out of those babies than you think.
How To: Make a Voodoo Pincushion Doll for Valentine's Day Angst
Searching for a Valentine's Day gift? Great. That means you have someone to share V-Day with this coming Monday. And you want to get the best gift to show your love. But c'mon—no matter what you get, it's probably enough to woo your lover over, even if it's as simple as a battery and magnet.
How To: Sew an easy skirt waistband with seam binding
Finish the top of your skirt and hold it in place on your waist or hips with a seam binding techinque. Follow this tutorial to sew your own quick, easy but still attractive skirt waistband without elastic or a drawstring.
How To: Tie off when sewing by hand
In this video, we learn how to tie off when sewing by hand. First you want to sew your fabric and complete your desired project. Next, you will push the needle into the bottom of the fabric where you won't be able to see the tie off from the front. Now, loop the thread and push the needle with thread through it, before you finish, push the needle through one more loop. Now, pull tightly until there is a tight knot at the bottom of the thread. Now, take your scissors and cut tightly next to th...
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: 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: Tie the Spinal Sinnet decorative knot
To tie the spinal sinnet, take the thread folded from left to right and hold it at the cross. Now insert the right thread in to the hole and pull the left thread to make it tight. Take the end of the thread and insert it and pull the thread which is close to the knot, you will get another hole. Now cross the hole and then insert the right side of the thread and pull down the thread close to the knot. Repeat the same till the end of the thread. Now the spinal sinnet is ready to use.
How To: Fill a bobbin on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine
Using a sewing machine entails knowing how to fill a bobbin with thread properly. This sewing how to video will show you how to fill a bobbin on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. Happy sewing!