Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
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: 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: Draft/Make Patterns in Different Sizes (Pattern Making of a Basic Dress with Waistline)
If you want to learn patterns drafting/making in different sizes (EXTRA SMALL, SMALL, MEDIUM, MEDIUM-LARGE, LARGE, EXTRA LARGE), now it becomes easy with these great videos that make patterns drafting easier and clearer.
How To: Sew a classic high waisted skirt without a pattern
This skirt will take only about an hour to make. You don't need a pattern, just your measurements! Pick a fabric that has only a little bit of stretch, and then follow this tutorial for your own high waisted skirt.
How To: Make fabric dolls
You start off with a printed design on your doll. Use regular paper, but you have to print the doll in individual pieces - body, hands, legs, head. You stick those on the front of hard materials like thick card stock or some thick fabric. Now you can putt the doll together and make adjustments. You put the doll together by using small thumb tacks. It's even better if you have ones that have a rhinestone on them. Once you've done the joints, you can also add a little tutu or some fairy wings. ...
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: Tie a Military Bugle cord decorative knot
Bugle cords are used as elaborate ornamental leashes on bugles and trumpets. These cords are used for making for snazzy ornamentation on uniforms worn by military bands. Although the technique for making a bugle cord is really very simple, it is quite difficult to find instructions on how to go about doing it. In this really short video you will find out how simple it is to make a bugle cord. There are no voice instructions. This is only very simple video which shows exactly how to start the ...
News: Whaddya Know? An Old Tie Makes the Perfect Thong
There's something undeniably naughty about upcycling your boyfriend's old tie into a thong. Japanese site Panty Hanty offers a library of free sewing patterns in the art of underwear-making.
How To: Embroider a stretchy or knit fabric
The problem with stretchy fabrics is that stretching it out in am embroidery hoop will distort the look of the finished project. This tip shows you how to prepare your fabric by using a non stretchy stabilizer, which you can buy at any fabric store.
How To: Thread a cord lock
In this tutorial, we learn how to thread a cord lock. First, tilt the cord lock up and find the two different wheels on the inside of it. Now, push your lift cord up through the two wheels that are on the inside of the lock. After this, pull the thread up through the top and then slide the thread through the smaller hole on the lock. Now, you will repeat this again for another piece of string, but thread it through the larger hole once you reach the top. After this, thread another cord throug...
How To: Insert the bobbin on a Singer sewing machine
Now that your bobbin is wound, get it inserted into the Singer sewing machine and it's ready to start sewing. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to insert the bobbin into a Singer sewing machine.
How To: Braid thread or yarn
This quick video tutorial demonstrates how to braid using three strands. Braided chains make great embellishment or decoration on sewing or knitting projects. Learn how to braid thread or yarn by watching this instructional video.
How To: Transform ankle boots into sexy thigh-high footwear with Gianny L
Don't want to spend all of that money on a pair of thigh highs? The answer lies in the exact opposite… low ankle boots. Using your low ankle boots, you can maniple your way to thigh high boots. See how to sexy thigh high boots in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Turn a plain T-shirt into a sexy off the shoulder top
T-shirts are fugly at their worst (think your boyfriend's XXL tent) and decent at their best (form-fitting Urban Outfitters T-shirts? Good stuff). But that means if we were to give T-shirts a report card, their grades would be around the C to F range.
How To: Make your own fabric appliques or patches
Applique is fabric cut in a fun shape that is applied like a patch, directly onto the fabric. This tutorial shows you how you can use fun woven print fabrics and fusible interfacing to create your own appliques and patches for your projects.
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: Thread a vintage Kenmore sewing machine
Using a sewing machine entails knowing how to thread it properly. This sewing how-to video demonstrates how to insert thread on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. Follow the user's instruction below to properly thread your sewing machine.
How To: Use buttonhole scissors
Couture designer Kenneth D. King is an expert in what you would need to fill up your sewing box. Here, he discusses buttonhole scissors. Buttonhole scissors are made for making buttonholes without stretching or damaging the fabric. By watching this video you can learn how to adjust your buttonhole scissors so that you can make different size holes. Make sure to never to use these scissors to cut through paper as it will make the scissors dull and make it a lot harder to cut through fabric.
How To: Sew a Baby Changing Mat
This all-in-one baby changing mat is cute and convenient! It has two pockets to hold diapers and wipes, and it folds up into a tidy clutch. It features a laminated vinyl surface, so messes are easy to wipe off. It has an elastic closure so you don't have to make a button hole. You can sew it yourself in no time with my easy step-by-step video tutorial.
How To: Fix and clean the bobbin case area on your own sewing machine
Sewing is an expensive enough hobby without having to factor in repair costs, as well. You can save money (and have more cash to spend on fabric and notions!) by fixing your own machine at home. This video shows you how to clean and fix the bobbin case area, which can often get cluttered with lint and fuzz.
How To: Make a vintage style fascinator hat with a veil
For those of you not familiar with fascinator hats, they are vintage-style caps with feathers, small veils, and other little knick knacks attached on the sides that were often worn by fashionable women in the '40s and '50s.
How To: Hem a pair of suit pants
Hemming a pair of dress pants is no longer a mystery. Karen Schmidt demonstrates step-by-step what is needed to get professional looking results. Measure the length that you would like to trim and pin the new hemline in place. Use an iron to mark the new pant length with a crease. Then unfold and rip the seam out of the original hemline. Cut away excess fabric sew a protective zigzag seam along the trimmed fabric. Refold the new creased hemline. With a matching thread, sew a single line to ho...
How To: Fix a broken skirt or trouser zipper
Are you in a hurry and just found out that your zipper is broker? This how to video offers a quick fix to almost any broken zipper that will save you lots of money. All you need to fix a zipper is a screwdriver, pliers, and candle wax.
How To: Thread an industrial sewing machine
This quick tutorial video will show you how to thread an industrial sewing machine. Follow these quick steps to thread an industrial sewing machine: Wind the bobbin thread and pace the bobbin in the bobbin case. Pull out 4" of thread and place the bobbin case in the hook. Now feed the top thread right to left through the eyelet bar and feed through the thread holes around the tension discs and upward through the take up. Go down through the thread guides and through the needle bar thread guid...
How To: Machine embroider a cherry rug
Design, prepare and embroider any image onto fabric using a sewing machine with this video on how to embroider a cheery rug.
How To: Embroider shirt pockets
This video shows you how to use the magna-hoop to embroider shirt pockets.
How To: Recycle your old clothes into a cute teddy bear
This tutorial works best with soft fabrics, like jersey or terry cloth. You can even cut up old flannel to make the stuffing! This is a simple project that won't take longer than an hour or two to put together.
How To: Make your own underwear
In this how to video, Allyce and Melissa entice you to throw a Panty Party, arming you with a few simple techniques to whip up lots of these sexy undies with your girlfriends. You will see this DIY project 3 minutes in to the video, after the hosts take you to a quilting market.
How To: Make your own cross body carryall bag without a sewing machine
This is an easy bag to make, and you don't even need a sewing machine to create it. Get a few yards of canvas, your favorite tribal or global fabrics, a decorative trim, an iron, a glue gun, a pair of scissors and Stitch Witchery.
How To: Make a basic pant
In this three-part sewing tutorial, learn how to make a pair of pants that fit like a glove! In the first video, you will learn to take measurements and calculate measurements to plan out your pattern. In the second video, learn how to draw the pant pattern based on your measurement calculations, make a test pant and finalize your pattern design. Lastly, in the third installment of this series, learn how to sew on the zipper and button and stitch the legs of your pants.
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: 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: 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: 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!
How To: Sew & measure elastic
In this tutorial, we learn how to sew and measure elastic. First, place the elastic over your waist and think about what you are making. Decide if you want it to be comfortable or if you want it to be tighter if you are wearing it out during the day. Also take into account what type of fabric you are going to be using so you know how much elastic is needed. Fold the elastic and mark the inside and outside of the fold, now do the same thing with your fabric. Now you will know if you need to ea...
How To: Sew a buttonhole in 4 steps on a Singer sewing machine
Making a buttonhole is easy to sew using the buttonhole presser foot and the four step buttonhole function on a Singer sewing machine. This video sewing tutorial guides through the simple step by step process of making a professionally finished buttonhole. Watch and learn how.
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: Draft a pants sloper
In this tutorial, Don McCunn teaches us how to draft a pants sloper. First, measure out the center line of the leg and then draw the center line onto a piece of paper. Now, measure from the waist and mark the measurements along with where you drew the center line. Now, measure down to the hip level and mark this as well, making sure to use the fullest area of the hips. Next, you will need to determine the crotch from the waist to the area where the subject is sitting, then mark it. Use a stan...
How To: Create a simple off the shoulder top by cutting off a t-shirt collar
Most people think that you have to be a whiz with the needle and thread as well as proficient on the sewing machine in order to make or tailor your own clothing. But the truth is that for easy modifications, like turning an old t-shirt into a modified, chic top, all you need is a pair of scissors and perhaps a stitch or two.
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.