Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
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: 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: Do the Woven Picot Stitch
There are many dimensional embroidery stitches , but one of the most fun is the woven picot. You can do a lot with it! It's an easy embroidery stitch - it looks more advanced than it actually is! It's a great stitch for adding texture to your embroidery project, and it doesn't necessarily have to be free standing. See how it's done in this video from Needle 'n Thread.
How To: Sew a curved hem that won't bunch or gather
Sewing a curved hem, such as a cuff or sleeve, can sometimes be tricky. Frustrated because your curved hems never lay flat and smooth? This tutorial shows you a few good techniques you can use to easily sew a professional looking curved hem.
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 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: Embroider shirt pockets
This video shows you how to use the magna-hoop to embroider shirt pockets.
How To: Repurpose an old t-shirt into a sexy open shoulder top
Sexy doesn't have to be slutty, as you'll see with this open shoulder top by Gianny L. And sexy doesn't have to be expensive, either: All you need to reproduce this cute and chic open shoulder top is an old t-shirt you have lying around the house.
How To: Draft a Basic Pant Pattern Automated
You have read How to Draft a Basic Pant Pattern. It's a most useful guide, but the image is hard to read and the steps many and complex. That's why I wrote a little software program to do the hard work for you.
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: 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: Do the Ladder Stitch
Ladder stitch in hand embroidery can be one of two stitches. There's the surface embroidery technique that creates a decorative band that looks a lot like a ladder, with edges that look like a chain stitch. There's also a drawn thread technique called ladder stitch that produces a ladder-like strip of remaining threads in the design area. The ladder stitch in this video tutorial is the former - the decorative band used in surface embroidery. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how i...
How To: Properly attach grommets and eyelets to your handmade corset
Grommets and eyelets are the metal rings that reinforce the holes in your corset, through which you thread the cording. This tutorial gives you some good advice on choosing, placing and attaching grommets and eyelets to your own hand sewn corsets.
How To: Make a homemade hoodie out of an old t-shirt
This video tutorial in Arts & Crafts category will show you how to make a homemade hoodie out of an old t-shirt. Katia is presenting this video. First you cut out a T-shirt shape out of an old newspaper. You can do it freehand also. For the front piece, take the neckline down a little bit. Then draw a hood shape. To draw the neckline of the hood watch the video. So, you now have the back, front and the hood pattern pieces. Now take your t-shirt and cut it open from the side. Place the back an...
How To: Sew a straight stitch on a Kenmore sewing machine
This is the final step of learning how to sew on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. Watch this how to video to learn how to sew a straight stitch on a this type of sewing machine. Run the motor as you press the reverse button, this locks up the thread.
How To: Sew on a zipper to a pair of pants
This how to video is a good general reference for anyone making their own pants, trousers, or jeans; basically any article of clothing with a fly front. The example uses a Suitability pants pattern, and can also be used to substitute a button fly. Watch and learn how to sew on a zipper to a pair of pants or trousers using a sewing machine.
How To: Do the Double Chain Stitch
Here's a video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for the double chain stitch used in hand embroidery. This is a quick, easy stitch which creates a wide decorative band. It looks somewhat similar to the closed herringbone stitch, but it's created with the same (few) easy steps used in the chain stitch.
How To: Upcycle an old t-shirt into a mini messenger bag
Got a few old t-shirts lying around your closet? Unclutter your space while reusing and reducing waste by watching this tutorial, where you'll find out how to breathe new life into an old t-shirt by transforming it into a mini messenger bag.
How To: Do the Stem Stitch
The stem stitch is a versatile embroidery stitch. It can be used to outline or to fill an area. Learn how to do it yourself with this video from Needle 'n Thread.
How To: Embroider on an afghan
The Magna-Hoop Pro, the latest innovation from Designs in Machine Embroidery makes it easy to embroider an afghan.
How To: Make a sewing optional Greek goddess costume for Halloween
Would you believe us if we said you could put together a last minute Halloween costume in less than two minutes? The very idea sounds preposterous, but we're not bluffing.
How To: Shorten jeans length by cutting, measuring and using a sewing machine
Are your jeans to long? How about your khakis? Corduroys? No matter what kind of pants you have, if they're too long, you can easily shorten the length with a few snips, a few marks and a basic sewing machine. The Brother LX-3125 compact sewing machine is used in this video, but any will do. See how to take a pair of jeans, cut and resew them like new again!
How To: Make a fitted sleeve sloper
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a fitted sleeve sloper with Don. First, graft a set in sleeve pattern. This will be based on a fitted bodice that is very close to the arm and high over the arm on the elbow. You will want to shape the shoulder to fit the contour of the body. You will put a series of darts into the fabric so it fits on the body perfectly. If you do a looser cut sleeve, you won't have to do this. After you make this, place it on your model and make sure the arm can move e...
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: Embroider a handmade potholder
In-the-Embroidery Hoop pot holders use a thermal lining and ironing board fabric to protect your hand from the heat. And, when you are not using the embroidered pot holders to handle warm dishes, they lay flat to become a hot pad or trivet! Watch this instructional embroidery video and obtain the skills needed to make your own beautifully embroidered potholder!
How To: Sew an owl softie out of acrylic felt
This Arts & Crafts how to video shows you how to put together a soft owl figure out of felt. Learn to make this felt owl or get creative and sew your own felt animals. Cut out the felt pieces, polyester fiber felt, and craft thread to create fun art and craft figures.
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 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: 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: 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 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: Make a Macrame Belt
This is a trouser belt, but can also be applied as a bag strap, maybe used as a camera strap, etc. To make a macrame belt, measure the cords to your desired length. Tie using square knots.
How To: Master the basics of hand sewing
Sometimes, hand sewing is a better idea than machine sewing - or maybe you just don't have a sewing machine, but still want to sew a few things. This tutorial shows you the materials and techniques you'll need to get started hand sewing.
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 a Rose Bud Out of Bullion Knots
Here's a video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for a rose bud made out of bullion knots. The bullion knot can be used to make beautiful roses and rose buds, and, believe it or not, they're actually really simple to make once you get the hang of it!
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: 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: 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: 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: 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.