Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
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: 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: 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 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 one hour flapper style dress
This video sewing tutorial series shows how to make a flapper style dress in under an hour, from start to finish. Learn the basic steps to stitch together this simple and beautiful dress. Watch and follow along to make your own today!
How To: Make needle-felted flowers
Fans of felting will love these funky accessories, needle-felted flowers, made out of vibrant shades of pure wool. Corinne Bradd shows how to use cookie-cutters for modern shapes, ideal for stitching on a handbag or fastening to the front of a special greeting. You can spice up many things with these needle-felted flowers.
How To: Measure a female's hips for trousers
In this short video, learn how to measure a female's hips for a tailored suit or blouse. Aspiring tailors: With the slightest measurement off, a blouse or suit can be ruined so it is important to watch this guide closely! Good luck with your sewing project!
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: 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: Draft a basic block pattern for pants
A basic block is the simplest, most fitted style for a garment. This tutorial shows you how to draft a basic block pattern for a pair of pants. Once you get this down, you can start adding flared legs and belt loops and other embellishments.
How To: Turn an old dress into a fashionable romper
Some dresses we just never get around to wearing. Like that hideous one our mom gave us with a decent tropical print but hemlines that go down to our ankles. Cute...if you live in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. We're sure you probably have an ever accumulating stash of similar dresses that you know you'll never wear but don't want to toss either.
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: Cut a hooded sweatshirt
You love your hooded sweatshirt but starting to feel like a weak person is strangling you all day long? With a quick snip with the scissors you can have a perfectly fitting sweatshirt and never have to worry about unnecessary discomfort again.
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: 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.
How To: Sew basket liners without a pattern
Check out this DIY video tutorial from Curbly, the best place to share pictures of your home, find design ideas, and get expert home-improvement advice.
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: Use bent handled trimmers
Learn how to use bent handled trimmers: Kenneth D. King of ThreadBanger Quickies and NextNewNetworks explain how to use bent handled trimmers for working with fabric projects. Bent handled trimmers are great for cutting out fabric patterns and designs. The scissor itself slides along the smooth plane of the cutting table and it lifts the fabric just enough to successfully cut the pattern out. Bent handled trimmers make a very accurate cut. Never ever use your fabric scissors for cutting paper.
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: Embroider a keychain as an easy gift
Fun, creative, and functional, these embroidered keychains are a snap to sew and make fast, easy gifts
How To: Make a shoe lace key ring
Always losing your keys? A big bulky key chain might feel annoying in your pocket, but it's not likely to get lost in your purse or in all that trash you carry around. This video tutorial shows a real simple key chain ring you can make and keep those keys easy to find. All you need is the key ring, two shoelaces, a pair of scissors, and a lighter.
How To: Turn high waisted jeggings into low waisted jeggings
Jeggings are quite possibly the most awesome fashion piece invented. First of all, jeggings are essentially jean leggings. They look like jeans, but they wear comfortably like leggings. So you can look like you give a damn even if you don't!
How To: Make a blind hem stitch using a sewing machine
In this sewing tutorial, you'll need a sewing machine to make a blind hem stitch. The sewing machine used is a Brother LX-1325 compact and lightweight model, but you can use a similar brand and model. To make a blind stitch, you'll need to fold the fabric the way you normally would when sewing a hem stitch, then you'll pin it in place on the inside. Watch and see how it's done! Then you start sewing. This stitch will be hardly noticeable.
How To: Make a no sew fleece blanket for Project Linus
In this tutorial, run by Project Linus, learn how to make a no sew fleece blanket for kids in need. This video will show you how to make a warm, comforting cover that any child would love.
How To: Thread a Singer sewing machine
Learn how to thread a Singer sewing machine. Most of the classic mechanical machines by Singer thread almost exactly the same way.
How To: Iron on patches for torn clothing
Is you favorite pair of jeans suffering from a hole in the knee? No problem. Extend the life of your clothing by using patches to cover worn or torn areas, or to embellish tired items and give them a fresh new look.
How To: Do embroidery stitches on knitted fabric
Learn the chain stitch and wrap stitch, two embroidery techniques. Use this technique to embellish knitted fabric.
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: 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: 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: Apply glue to latex for creating latex fashions
There are different techniques to apply the glue on the latex sheeting, none of them is right or wrong. All that matters is what works best for you. This latex tip is helpful for making fetish clothing or latex fashion pieces. Latex clothing is integral to fetish clothing and used frequently in BDSM or S&M sex.
How To: Thread a mechanical Singer sewing machine
The machine used in this video demonstration is a 3343c, but the threading is exactly the same as on a vintage Singer and other modern models. Learn how to thread the needle on a mechanical Singer sewing machine by watching this video sewing tutorial.
How To: Make a gay pride flag
this tutorial video from Threadbanger will teach you how to do a little DIY exercise to get ready for Gay Pride in New York City. This video will teach you how to make a DIY flag and hit the Gay Pride parade in Manhattan. You can now bring your pride home with your own flag.
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: Do the Double Herringbone Stitch
Here's a video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for the double herringbone stitch, which is a variation of the herringbone stitch. Just like the regular herringbone, this stitch can be used as a decorative band or edging.
How To: Make a flapper style feather brooch or hairpin
This hair accessory looks like it comes straight out of the 1920s! Take a few elegant feathers and turn them into a brooch, a hairpin or an embellishment you can add on to any garment or other accessory you want!
How To: Tie a Zigzag braid knot design
The video is about tying a Zigzag braid knot design. At first, make the tag or rope into two by folding it. Take one end and make a small knot at the folded junction. Then take the second and pass it through the first made loop. Then take the other end and pass it through the loop made by second end. Continue the hitches to end the rope. Finish the knot by tightening the rope. Then rearrange the position of the hitches. This is done with care. The knot is made beautiful and prettier by making...
How To: Make a ball gown out of trash bags and newspapers
The newest trend in couture? It's called 'trashion' - high fashion using trashy things. And we mean trashy! This tutorial shows you how to make a ball gown using trash bags, duct tape and newspapers. You'll also want a dressmaker's dummy to construct your dress around - or at least a model who's okay with standing still for a long period of time. Use the trash bags to form the dress, and then attack the newspapers over it layer by layer. You're ready for your debut!
How To: Hand sew a bound buttonhole for couture garments
While you can usually make a buttonhole with a machine, doing a bound buttonhole by hand is a couture technique that gives a professional, elegant finish to your buttonholes. This video shows you how to hand sew a bound butthole for your garment.
How To: Make a manly pair of bike pants for urban cycling
Sure, there's lots of bicycling clothing out there, but most of it doesn't work too well for everyday wear, leaving you a bit out of place when you've reached your destination. You know what we're talking about, guys: those too tight, super contouring bike pants that facilitate biking but majorly decrease our style points.