Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts


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: 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: 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: Do the Raised Chain Stitch Band
This is a composite stitch. There are two embroidery stitches here put together to make the raised chain: the simple straight stitch which forms the bars on which you stitch the chain stitch. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.

How To: Sew a Doorag Using the Tommy Sotomayor Durag Pattern
If you have already downloaded and printed the Tommy Sotomayor Designer Durag Pattern, here are the written instructions with accompanying video tutorial.

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: Maintain the feed dog area on your own sewing machine
Save money by performing your own sewing machine maintenance! While there are differences between a Singer sewing machine, a Brother model or a Janome machine, there are many similarities. This video shows you how to maintain and clean the feed dog area on your sewing machine.

How To: Sew your own corset style top at home
This is not a tutorial on how to sew a real corset, rather, how to sew a corset style top. You will need some fashion fabric, eyelets, an eyelet attachment tool, ribbon, scissors, pins, measuring tape, tailor's chalk and of course, a sewing machine.

How To: Tie a compound double Coin knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to tie a compound double coin knot. First, take two strings and make a loop with the left one, then loop right right one into that. Tighten these together, then bring the end of the right working string over the loop and through the bottom of the shape, then continue to thread it through. Now, repeat this on the left side with the left string. Next, loop the right side of the string and push through the loop with the end of it. After this, tighten up the ends of...

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: 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: 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 easy pillow shams from old t-shirts and fabric
Anyone who's tried to redecorate their home or even one room in their home knows that between new furniture, paint, and new upholstery, the budget for the job - or lack thereof - begins to skyrocket quickly.

How To: Make a miniature backpack out of old jeans
Recently gained some weight (or lost a few pounds after getting yourself hooked on an intense exercise routine)? We've all been there, and know that your clothes probably aren't fitting the way they used to. But don't just throw your outdated threads into a plastic bag and toss them to Goodwill.

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: Whipstitch
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to do Whipstitching. The video demonstrates how to stitch the bottom of a cloth basket to the sides of the basket. A whipstitch is a very basic stitch. Start at one end of the basket; attach the bottom to the sides with a pin. Pass the needle from the inside so that the knot is hidden. All you have to do is taking the thread and whipping it around the edge. At the beginning, give it a bit of binding stitch before stitching the rest of th...

How To: Turn an old towel into shorts
To recycle an old towel into shorts, fold the towel and cut it into a short leg's length worth of fabric. Cut another piece into a short leg's length worth of fabric. Draw a curved seam on one edge. Stack the towels and pin them to hold the fabric in place. Cut out the seam on both of the towels. Separate the towels and sew up the seams on both of the fabric pieces. Do not sew the top seam and front side seam of the shorts. Instead, sew the front and back side seams together. Thread and sew a...

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 Slatt's Rescue Belt knot design
In this video TIAT shows you how to make a rescue belt. Begin by making a basic knot in the center, holding that knot on the top of your ring finger and between your thumb begin making loops. To create these loops extend the strand to the right side of the knot straight out parallel to your thumb, with your right hand curl the yarn first up, than forward, than back down forming a circle that you slid over your thumb. Take the tail of the cord and pull it snug. Repeat these circular loops unti...

How To: Tie a Kinky Lover's knot
To make a Kinky Lover's knot, first hang or keep the tag on something. Then take the first end. Tie it by keeping a loop. Then take the second end and pass it through the loop by leaving a loop. Then take the second end, which was taken earlier , through the loop made by the first end. Then pass the second end through the loop, which was made by the second end. The knot is ready! All we have to do now is to tighten the knot by pulling the two ends. Make it beautiful by arranging the tag clearly.

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: 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: 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 Rope Stitch
The rope stitch is a nice hand embroidery stitch, perfect for a thick, corded look, and a member (believe it or not) of the chain stitch family. It looks like overcast stitch on a slant, or trailing on a slant. It's a great stitch for curves. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.

How To: Do the Wheat Stitch
If you are a beginner at hand embroidery, one of the first stitches you will probably learn is the chain stitch. The chain stitch has many variations, and one of them is the wheat stitch, also known as the wheatear stitch. This stitch is simple to work and produces a line that resembles a shaft of wheat. The stitch can be used in all kinds of applications - it would make great background greenery in flowers and gardens, it can also serve as a seam embellishment in crazy quilting, and it can s...

How To: Embroider shirt pockets
This video shows you how to use the magna-hoop to embroider shirt pockets.

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: 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: Sew bias tape binding on a curved edge
Bias tape can add a professional, classy edge or finish to any project. Working with bias tape on a straight edge certainly isn't hard, but the curves can sometimes be a bit tricky. However, they're not impossible, and you can pick up the technique in just a few minutes! This video shows you how to work with single fold bias tape and sew it evenly and professionally around curved edges.

How To: Draft your own darts when making a skirt without a pattern
Darts add shape and a more fitted line to garments that use them. While many patterns come with the darts pre-printed, how do you add darts when you're sewing without a pattern? This tutorial shows you how to add your own darts by hand.

How To: Break in or season your corset without damaging it
When you first buy a corset from a retailer, you will need to give the thread and fabric the chance to shape itself according to your own personal shape. Here is the best way to break in or season a new corset to make it last longer.

How To: Sew your own corset tank top at home
This is a great and attractive shirt - a corset tank top. You don't need a pattern to make this, just some fabric, lining and ribbon. You'll also need some basic sewing notions and access to a sewing machine to sew this very basic item.

How To: Make a reversible waist cincher for your Renaissance Faire outfit
This is an easy tutorial that will go well with any Renaissance Faire outfit or similar costume. By using two different types of fabric, you can even make it reversible and increase the number of costumes you can wear it with.

How To: Sew a flirty, fluttery tank top without a pattern
This is a great project to make a fun and feminine shirt. All you need is one piece of fabric cut in a circle, a few basic notions and a sewing machine. No pattern required, just make sure you have your measurements at hand!

How To: Craft cute silicone cupcake charms for a bracelet
The trouble with jewelry that's been made by a mass retailer or even a hipster/indie artist is that it's made without any care to your wrist, neck, or finger size. Often this means that bracelets may sling too big, or necklaces wrap around your neck too tight.

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: Cut out a basic sewing pattern without getting intimidated
So you've bought your fist sewing pattern and unfolded it - but now there all these lines and triangles and dots! What does it all mean? Where do you cut? Here are a few hints - don't forget to iron your pattern, it really does help.

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: Make your own pair of cyber flufflies at home
Keep warm and stay cute this winter! Make your own pair of trendy cyber fluffies! All you need is some faux fur in a color and style you like, thick elastic, plus a few basic sewing supplies (like a measuring tape and sewing machines).

How To: Sew a simple high-waisted retro skirt with Gianny L
A high waisted skirt is one of the most flattering skirts you can wear. Because it's cinched in directly at the smallest part of your midsection - your waist - you automatically get an hourglass figure silhouette.