Hot Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos
How To: Tailor your own too large pants so they fit perfectly
Tailors can be expensive, but you can be your own tailor! This tutorial shows you how to take a pair of pants that might be a bit too big around the waist and take them in using professional tailoring techniques.
How To: Make a Doo Rag Pattern
Video: . Whether you are gardening, cooking, riding a motorcycle or just want to cover up on a bad hair day, doo rags are easy to make and fun to personalize to suit to your style. If you would rather just download the durag pattern click here.
How To: Machine baste on a Singer sewing machine
Machine basting is a common technique used in many patterns for garment construction. It's easy, and can help your garment look more professional when finished. This video tutorial shows you how to machine baste a seam.
How To: Draft a Sleeve Pattern
A well designed sleeve is very important to creating a top or jacket that fits comfortably. Get your correct measurements before you begin. Please view the following step-by-step instructions and accompanying video and diagram to create the basic sleeve.
How To: Sew quickly by hand without using a sewing machine
Sewing by hand can actually go quite quickly if you don't have access to your sewing machine or if it's broken. Hand sewing can also be useful if you're working with especially delicate fabrics, attaching an applique or making a small repair.
How To: Make a Basic Skirt Pattern
Written instructions on how to draft a basic skirt pattern with accompanying video. Take your correct measurements before you begin.
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: Use a sewing machine to make a miniature rug
This series shows how to make a miniature rug on the sewing machine with thread painting which mimics Russian needlepunch. Variegated threads give a lovely blended look similar to wool hooked rugs. The threads used are YLI cotton machine quilting threads.
How To: Draft a Basic Bodice Pattern
Unlock the secret to clothing design. If you can draft and sew a basic bodice you can design virtually any kind of t-shirt, blouse or other top! Attach a skirt and you now have a dress! Take your measurements by using the guide in the " How to Take Your Measurements" section and let´s get started! If you would rather just whip up an easier beginners t-shirt go to How to Design a Quick T-Shirt.
How To: Fix and clean the bobbin case area on your own sewing machine
Sewing is an expensive enough hobby without having to factor in repair costs, as well. You can save money (and have more cash to spend on fabric and notions!) by fixing your own machine at home. This video shows you how to clean and fix the bobbin case area, which can often get cluttered with lint and fuzz.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Customize your jeans six different ways with DIY tips
Just because when you bought your jeans it said that it was just one type of jean - bootcut or skinny - doesn't mean you can't wear it in different ways by either rolling them up or by slashing in holes to make them look worn.
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: Do the Couching Stitch
Couching is another easy embroidery stitch in hand embroidery, and a great way to create decorative line stitches that scroll and twirl about. It's also widely used for filling areas, and historically was used to great effect during the Middle Ages and Renaissance in a technique called Or Nue. Here's a video from Needle 'n Thread that demonstrates couching a single thread for an outline.
How To: Create the layered lace embroidery technique
Embroider away with the layered lace technique! Add embroidered petals to your flowers and wings to your butterflies with a new technique called layered lace. After embroidering the separate pieces, layer them together for a fantastic three-dimensional effect! Layered lace is a wonderful embroidery technique for pins, barrettes, napkin rings, and more. Enjoy this instructional video.
How To: Recycle an old t-shirt into a no-sew head scarf
In this tutorial, we learn how to recycle an old t-shirt into a no-sew head scarf. First, lay your shirt out flat on a table and download the paper pattern from the video. From here, measure sixteen inches from side to side on the t-shirt that you are using. After this, follow the paper pattern on the shirt and cut out the pattern with scissors. Once you have finished this, use a fabric bonding agent to make the edges less frayed and fold them into each other. This is great for the environmen...
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 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 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: Use eyelet pliers to attach grommets
Here's a quick video tutorial on using eyelet pliers. These work with the smaller eyelets by forcing the grommet through the fabric and curling it back on itself on the other side. Eyelet pliers are very quick and easy to use to attach grommets.
How To: Baste on your sewing machine
Learn one of the most basic sewing techniques, machine basting.
How To: Get a loose drawstring back into clothing
If you're drawstring fell out, it may seem like the end of the world, but take a deep breath -- it's possible to put back in!
How To: Thread a Singer Finishing Touch serger sewing machine with differential feed
Sewing with a serger sewing machine can be quite difficult, if you're lucky enough to own one. Even threading the beastly sewing machine can be pretty tricky. But this two-part video tutorial should help you to properly thread one. This covers the threading of a Singer Differential-Feed Finishing Touch serger sewing machine (14SH654), which has 4/3 thread capability. Singer also has a PDF available with detailed threading instructions.
How To: Recycle an old t-shirt into baby pants
While some parents like to spoil their little babies with the highest quality (and most expensive) items from Dior, most of us know that babies and toddlers grow out of their clothes faster than weeds overgrow a garden. While their clothes should be appropriately cute, there's no need to shell out thousands of dollars on pricey apparel when you can make your own.
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: Embroider a pocket topper
Use this popular technique on aprons and more, pocket toppers have been apart of embroidery for years. The most important detail contains hooping the template for precise placement, a leaning design may be desired for some projects. Embroider a pocket topper.
How To: Hem a garment
Learn to hem your own garments. There's no need to give them to a seamstress when you can fix your clothes yourself!
How To: Draft a Basic Pant Pattern
Written Instructions with accompanying video for anyone who wants to make a basic pant exactly to your measurements! Please get your correct measurements before you begin from How to Take Your Measurements.
How To: Disassemble your home sewing machine for routine maintenance
Many sewing machine repairs can be made at home, and most repairs can be completely avoided through routine sewing machine maintenance. This tutorial shows you how to carefully disassemble your machine to give it a round of maintenance. You will need a screwdriver - make sure not to lose any of the screws!
How To: Take Your Measurements
These measurments should be taken and recorded before drawing up you clothing design pattern. Wear the bra and panties you will be wearing with the final garment. Another option, especially if you are going to be selling a series of the garments, is to follow a size chart. While sizing is not very standardized in the clothing industry, I like the charts on the Burdastyle website which are in both inches and centimeters. When measuring, the tape measure should be neither too tight nor too loos...
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: Cut out perfect men's trousers patterns
You know how often times you'll find almost perfect jeans at the store, with the perfect faded wash, boot cut, and dark navy color, but they're just a wee bit too tight and a wee bit too long? Have you ever wished that the jeans company tailored those pants to you?
How To: Sew you own pair of easy, Victorian style bloomers
The perfect undergarment for your Victorian costume re-creation. You don't need any pattern, just take your measurements and get a yard or so of thin, lightweight fabric. Then cut, pin, sew and finish. Your own pair of Victorian inspired bloomer pants!
How To: Tie off when sewing by hand
In this video, we learn how to tie off when sewing by hand. First you want to sew your fabric and complete your desired project. Next, you will push the needle into the bottom of the fabric where you won't be able to see the tie off from the front. Now, loop the thread and push the needle with thread through it, before you finish, push the needle through one more loop. Now, pull tightly until there is a tight knot at the bottom of the thread. Now, take your scissors and cut tightly next to th...
How To: Embroider a stretchy or knit fabric
The problem with stretchy fabrics is that stretching it out in am embroidery hoop will distort the look of the finished project. This tip shows you how to prepare your fabric by using a non stretchy stabilizer, which you can buy at any fabric store.
How To: Make a Perfect Fitting Pants Pattern for Yourself
Pants are here to stay. Women of all ages love wearing pants. Jeans, trousers, slacks, corduroys… whatever. Everyone wants them to look and fit great, while being comfortable.
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