Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Create your own gorgeous no-pattern shift dress
1: Chose a stretchy fabric & fold in half, so that the right side of the patterns are together. 2: Lay dress on top of fabric & trace the dress with dressmakers chalk, allowing for a 1.5 cm seam allowance (except for the bottom. allow 5 cm).
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: 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: Sew elastic (polybraid & Lastin)
This video is a tutorial on sewing both polybraid elastic and lastin elastic. Polybraid is a very sturdy fabric elastic, while lastin is a thin, clear, very stretchy elastic, good for use in diapers. It is important to buy name brand lastin elastic to ensure good quality.
How To: Use thread snip scissors
Thread banger, Kenneth King shows you how to save your good fabric scissors by using thread snips, a simple but important tool you must always have in your sewing workshop. Thread snips are small pairs of scissors that are specifically used for trimming off any excess thread in your material. Kenneth explains that using fabric scissors to trim these excess threads eventually causes them to wear dull spots. Always keep your thread snips handy and do all your thread trimming at the machine.
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: Do Buttonhole Wheels
Once you know how to do the buttonhole stitch, it's just a matter of "working it" a bit to master variations of the stitch. In this video from Needle 'n Thread, you'll learn how to work a buttonhole wheel, which can be effectively used in all kinds of embroidery - especially flower-like accents and for adding texture to designs.
How To: Sew a blouse to match an Indian sari
The sari is a beautiful dress, traditionally worn by East Indian women, involving a length of fabric draped over an under blouse. This tutorial shows you how to draft your own pattern for a sari blouse and then sew it together yourself. Always iron your fabric before you start working with it!
How To: Transform your hoodie into a baby carrier
Hooray for resourcefulness! You don't need a fancy expensive trendy baby sling to carry your little one around. Learn how to transform your favorite hoodie into a baby carrier with this little video.
How To: Upcycle an old t-shirt into a sexy halter top
We can bet you have at least a few old t-shirts lying around that you know you're never going to wear but can't seem to throw away for sentimental reasons. Well, rather than simply letting your clothing collect dust, we've got a genius idea for you: Why not turn that old t-shirt into something sexy? Yeah, we know you're probably going "yeah, right," as there seems little potential in your three sizes too big "Go Bruins" shirt, but stop thinking within the box.
How To: Make yarn for a scarf from recycled strips of silk
If you're a habitual knitter, then you probably go through spools of yarn faster than you can buy them. And while rolls of yarn aren't all too expensive, purchasing many of them frequently does take its toll on your wallet. So why not opt for a cheaper and more eco-friendly approach to your knitting?
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: Draft a free pattern for an A-line skirt easily and by hand
What's better than free pattern? A free pattern that fits you perfectly! This tutorial shows you how to draft the pattern for a basic A-line skirt completely by hand, and custom fit to your own measurements. All you need is some pattern paper, a pencil and a ruler.
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: Knit a bikini bottom
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a bikini bottom. First, measure the widest part of your bottom area, then write this number down. Next, place your fabric where the measurement device just was, then mark where you want your underwear to fit. Mark this spot, then measure the lines out on the fabric. After this, use a pen or marker to mark the underwear shape. After this, cut out the shape of the underwear and pin all sides together. Now, sew the sides of the bottoms together, then flip t...
How To: Create a sexy slouchy shoulder top with Gianny L
Got a T-shirt you love, but don't wear it often anymore because it's a little out of date or not the color currently in season? Make use of your once beloved body covering by watching this DIY fashion video.
How To: Do the Outline Stitch
Here's a couple video tutorials from Needle 'n Thread for a basic hand embroidery stitch - the outline stitch. It's another versatile, easy stitch!
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: Make a pattern to sew your own custom made corset
You can buy a pre made corset pattern from a manufacturer, or, if you really want to start from scratch, you can draft your own pattern. This tutorial shows you how to take your measurements and translate that into a custom fit corset pattern.
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: Sew a flowery, flowy spring top with Whitney Sews
Here at Wonder How To we LOVE spring buecause it allows us to indulge in the girliest of girly prints - flowers, hearts, crunchy granola hippie peace signs and happy faces - without restraint and without looking like a seven-year-old ready for church.
How To: Do the Palestrina Stitch
Here's another video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for hand embroidery stitches - this one is for the Palestrina stitch. Palestrina stitch is used for outlining or filling and is common in both Jacobean designs as well as in Mountmellick embroidery, the latter because it gives a highly textured line or fill area.
How To: Use a ruffler foot on a sewing machine to sew ruffles
The ruffler foot on your sewing machine allows you to sew ruffles far more quickly and easily than having to do it by hand. This tutorial demonstrates how to set up your ruffler foot and then how to use it when sewing ruffles.
How To: Make an embroidered refrigerator magnet
Refrigerator magnets are a fun and fast project that everyone in the family will enjoy! They are perfect for kitchen decor, as well as the office. And the best part about these creative magnets? They are made almost entirely in the embroidery hoop! Watch this embroidery video tutorial & make one of these fabulous magnets for your loved one.
How To: Make a recycled beach bag,puzzle & hat
Craft projects are a great way to recycle household items and clothes. Learn how to make three recycled crafts, a beach bag, a puzzle and a hat, in this free arts video series.
How To: Add a silk ribbon binding to your sewing project
Don't be intimidated by this couture technique - it's actually quite easy! Sew a silk ribbon binding to your project as a way to stabilize it. All you need is the ribbon, your fabric and a few extra sewing notions.
How To: Back stitch when embroidering
This video tutorial belongs to the Arts & Crafts how category which is going to show you how to do back stitch when embroidering. This is really simple and easy to do and takes no time to learn. For starting, mark five dots on the cloth. Then you stitch from point 1 towards 5. First you pass the needle from under the cloth through point #1, pull up the thread and pass it down through point #2. Now pull the thread up through point #3 and pass it back down through point #2. Then you pull the th...
How To: Stitch a full length wedding veil
In this two-part easy-to-follow tutorial Corinne Bradd shows Kate Hemmings how to stitch a full length, two tiered wedding veil for just a small amount. Budget busting brides will love the stylish veil for the big day. It'll be perfect for any bride and mean that much more if sewn it yourself.
How To: Embroider the blanket stitch on crocheted projects
Add an even more personal touch to your crocheted projects. This how to video is a tutorial on how to embroider crochet projects with the blanket stitch. This stitch is typically used to embroider cloth, but you can embroider just about anything.
How To: Make shaded cross stitch motifs
Create fabulously fruity motifs using the traditional art of shaded cross stitch. These shaded strawberries bring the craft bang up-to-date. You can embellish all kinds of handmade projects with shaded cross stitch motifs.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Turn a skirt into a long, breezy summer dress
Like billowy, bohemian tops or billowy dresses that go aflutter in the wind? Then this is the perfect DIY fashion tutorial for you. Using a long old skirt you can probably find by digging through your own closet or your stylish mother's treasure trove, you will learn how to refashion the skirt into a full-body dress by simply adding some spaghetti straps.
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: Sew on a button using the Singer sewing machine
Use the Sew a Button presser foot to sew flat buttons on your garments or craft projects. It's easy, and fun once you've got the method down. The Singer sew a button presser foot comes both as a screw-on foot or a clip-on foot for the slant shank adapter. Great for those of us who always poke ourselves hand sewing buttons. Learn how to sew on a button with a Singer sewing machine by watching this video sewing tutorial.
How To: Turn an old t-shirt into a sexy one-shoulder top
You know that pile of old t-shirts that you've accumulated over the years that you've never gotten around to wearing? Sure you could toss them over to the Salvation Army and call it a day, but why throw something away that you can turn into a wearable work of art?
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...