Hot Sewing & Embroidery Posts
How To: Shirr fabric easily step by step
You probably haven't heard of shirring fabric before, but we can bet you've either seen it or have several pieces of clothing with shirring. Shirring means adding bumpy, ruffled waves to a fabric using scrunching and sewing.
How To: Sew a large, lacy feminine bow belt
A bow - whether pinned onto your shirt or tied around your waist as a belt - is a quick and easy way to add instant feminine pizazz to any outfit. Even if all you're wearing is a standard white tee and shorts, donning a bow belt will turn that outfit into a pretty look.
How To: Upcycle an old t-shirt into a puff-sleeved shirt
Got a bunch of old, too large t-shirts lying around that you don't want to throw away, but that you also can't seem to wear? Then take the high road by upcycling it into this on-trend puff sleeved shirt.
How To: Sew an easy shirred empire waist summer halter top
Summer time is the best time to have fun with fashion. And since you're probably going to be spending most of your time beachcombing, nomming on large ice cream sundaes, and attending hot late night parties, your clothing choices should be as comfortable as possible.
How To: Make a gift wrap garland out of felt and grossgrain ribbon
Dress up a plain white box with this fun and easy tutorial! All you need is the gift box, some festive felt, a length of grossgrain ribbon long enough to go around the box, and a few cutting and craft supplies.
How To: Make no-sew embellished headbands with bows and lace
Girls love bling, and little girls love it even more. Make your little lady as fashionable as can be by making these no-sew embellished headbands.
How To: Sew an easy infinity scarf (wraparound scarf)
An infinity scarf is exactly what it sounds like: A scarf that goes on forever, not length-wise but rather in the fact that it's sewn together at the end. This makes for a nice wraparound shape that can be quickly thrown onto the neck without having to make any fancy knots to keep the scarf on.
How To: Make a no-sew fabric-covered button with old fabric scraps
Let's face it: Most of the buttons we have on clothing are utilitarian: They hold our peacoat together and our pants on (generally), and thus aren't particularly pretty in and of themselves.
How To: Make an easy no-sew pom pom headband
When it comes to the holidays or times when your kids need a costume urgently for their dance recital or play fast, sewing projects take far too much time. When time is an issue, why not make these no-sew cute headbands with pom poms?
How To: Make a fun and festive brooch out of felt and large buttons
You can make this lovely brooch out of some scrap felt, or any other stiff fabric in your basket (you can stiffen some fabrics by adding interfacing), and a large button. Attach it to a hat, coat or anywhere else you want to add a little holiday cheer to!
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: Transform an old scarf into a tube scarf or infinity scarf
With winter in full swing, it's time to bring the scarves out of the closet. The trend this year is the tube scarf or infinity scarf, and here is how you can take a scarf you already have and update it to this style.
How To: Sew a fun and festive party dress for the Christmas season
It's Christmas season, and that means it's time for holiday parties! This tutorial shows you how you can make a fun and festive dress for your upcoming holiday celebrations. You will need approximately two and a half yards of fabric, in addition to a sewing machine and the regular notions.
How To: Weave a traditional Danish heart basket for Christmas
This is an easy and fun craft you can use for just about any gift, and can be made with any fabric and to any size. Just start with two pieces of cut fabric, and follow along with this tutorial to end with a traditional Danish heart basket!
How To: Make a produce bag out of recycled old scarves
This makes a great gift for anyone who is into recycled crafts. Start with a lightweight scarf you don't use anymore (square or rectangular) and some cording or ribbon, and then follow this quick sewing tutorial to transform it into an eco-friendly produce bag.
How To: Create a festive Christmas wreath out of recycled materials
Start with a basic wicker round, and then use scraps of recycled fabric to make holiday rosettes. This tutorial uses red and white fabric, but you can make your wreath using any festive, colorful cloth or trim in your scrap basket.
How To: Turn stretchy loose jeans into skinny jeans
Did you recently lose some weight, or do you have some jeans from years ago that you love but are slightly too loose fitting for your tastes? While you can certainly toss them, why not simply make them skinnier?
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: 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.
How To: Turn an old oversized tee into a loose dress with braided straps
You know all those t-shirts that you accumulate randomly? Like that XXL t-shirt you got from Subway during their holiday promotion, or that Key Club t-shirt you wore once and never touched again?
How To: Sew a funky superized bow top
Without a doubt this is the biggest bow you can ever wear on your body - ever. And best of all, it's not slightly tackly like a Lady Gaga hair bow or bow clip-on accessory. In fact, this bow is so big it barely looks like a bow at all.
How To: Sew a feminine ruffled chiffon dress
Chiffon is one of those naturally feminine fabrics. Soft, airy, and breathable, it ruffles easily and sashays with the breeze, giving potential suitors just a peek of your sexay curves.
How To: Upcycle an oversized t-shirt into a feminine halter top
Doesn't this feminine and romantic halter top look like something you'd see at a high end retailor like Ann Taylor? Silky and soft, this halter top is actually made from an old oversized t-shirt.
How To: Sew DIY pom pom knee high sock hold ups
Knee high socks are totally school girl chic and help warm up your legs on a cool fall day when you want to stay toasty while looking fashionable. But if you've ever walked around a shopping center for more than half an hour with your knee highs on, you know that they've now quickly turned into mid-calf socks.
How To: Craft a simple rock'n'roll fringe and chain tank top
Dark, punky glamour has never been more in on the runways. From YSL's blood red lipstick to the harsh stud and leather detailing on the clothes at Philip Lim, it seems that rock stars are the newest fashion role models.
How To: Sew a DIY ribbon flower embellishment
Never sewed before? Not a problem. This DIY ribbon flower, which can be made in any color of your choosing, is incredibly easy and only requires a few basic stitches to complete.
How To: Sew Madonna-inspired easy lace fingerless gloves
Have you ever been in a Madonna mood but didn't have the guts to rock full-on padded shoulders and leather glovelets? Then these lace fingerless gloves are the perfect balance between '80s cheekiness and wearability.
How To: Make no-sew simple star cutout leggings
If pop superstar Ke$ha ever saw these star cutout leggings, she'd totally be rocking them in a heartbeat. This crafting project requires absolutely no sewing skills, just a pair of leggings (with stars or some other pattern on them) and scissors.
How To: Sew a cute and romantic halter dress
This shows you how to make a beautiful and simple halter dress. You will need at least one scarf (more if they are sheer), a few yards of your favorite fabric, scissors, a needle and thread, and a measuring tape.
How To: Make a pair of triangle cutout leggings without a sewing machine
This video shows you how to take a pair of leggings (PVC works best, but any tight fabric will do) and turn them into a pair of trendy triangle cutout leggings. You will also need some thin ribbon and a sharp pair of scissors.
How To: Make lovely and festive Christmas ornaments using a sewing machine
These ornaments make a great embellishment to any Christmas gift or present, and are easy to make out of scrap fabric. You can also use them as a tree decoration! All you need, besides a few sewing notions, is some heavy cardstock.
How To: Craft animal hand puppets for kids' Christmas gifts
If you're on a budget this year, you can still gift your kids something special that they'll enjoy for years to come. Check out this video to learn how to craft animal hand puppets easily, with minimal sewing.
How To: Repurpose a T-shirt into a fringe scarf a la Fefe Dobson
This is a great scarf or accessory inspired by the Fefe Dobson music video, and a great touch for your New Years' Eve celebration. All you need is a regular oversize T-shirt - ideally one which has a V-neck and solid color.
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: Create a set of quilted holiday placemats
Whether you want to make your own placemats for holiday entertaining or give them away as gifts, this is a tutorial for any intermediate quilter looking for some holiday ideas. Create a matching set of beautiful, holiday themed quilted placematas.
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: Add a corset look to your favorite dress using safety pins
You can create the corset look for your own wardrobe without having to resort to boning! All you need is your dress, a collection of small safety pins and your chosen ribbon or twill tape (make sure you buy several yards of this).
How To: Make a quillow without a pattern as a gift
A quillow is a blanket that, when folded, can serve double duty as a pillow. You will need fabric for the front and back as well as some batting and regualr sewing notions. This is a great Christmas or holiday gift even a beginner can make!
How To: Stretch your wrist and hand while sewing to avoid cramps
These wrist stretches have been cribbed from aikido, but they can be used as sewing stretches as well. Avoid cramps while sewing by using these three wrist stretches. Whenever you feel like your wrist is starting to ache, just use one of these stretches.
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.