Hot Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos


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: 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: 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: 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: 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 But don't just throw your outdated threads into a plastic bag and toss them to Goodwill.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: Make a gay pride flag
this tutorial video from Threadbanger will teach you how to do a little DIY exercise to get ready for Gay Pride in New York City. This video will teach you how to make a DIY flag and hit the Gay Pride parade in Manhattan. You can now bring your pride home with your own flag.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Make a Military Bugle Cord Decorative Knot
Bugle cords are used as elaborate ornamental leashes on bugles and trumpets, but they are also used as snazzy ornamentation, called aiguillettes (a type of fourragère), on uniforms worn by certain members of the military. While you could buy one pre-made, you could also make one yourself. But this should not be confused with the infantry blue cord of the U.S. Army, which is another type of fourragère only with more elaborate knotting.

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.

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: 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: 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: 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 hair bonnet or night cap
Nightcaps are something that will never get old and have been around for years and years. Originally, nightcaps were invented around the Middle Ages and were used as a way to help prevent head lice. As the years passed by they became more useful in other ways, especially when it came to keeping ones head warm. For women, they were also used to keep not only their head warm, but also to protect the hair from any kind of damage. This video tutorial will show you ladies how to make a hair bonnet...

How To: Thread a vintage Kenmore sewing machine
Using a sewing machine entails knowing how to thread it properly. This sewing how-to video demonstrates how to insert thread on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. Follow the user's instruction below to properly thread your sewing machine.

How To: Make a Voodoo Pincushion Doll for Valentine's Day Angst
Searching for a Valentine's Day gift? Great. That means you have someone to share V-Day with this coming Monday. And you want to get the best gift to show your love. But c'mon—no matter what you get, it's probably enough to woo your lover over, even if it's as simple as a battery and magnet.

How To: Do the Padded Satin Stitch
Of all the hand embroidery stitches that exist, one of the most beautiful, when done well, is the satin stitch. It does take a little practice to get the hang of satin stitching, and it is true that it is not a very "forgiving" stitch. Watch the video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.

How To: Create a chic tatter skirt from fabric scraps
Just because your skirt is in tatters doesn't mean you look like a homeless hobo. In fact, when the tatters that comprise your skirt come from old but beautiful fabrics (instead of, well, just old and overused fabrics), you'll look both chic and money smart.

How To: Make a sexy garter belt for your wedding
With all the insane, brain-bursting guest lists, flower arrangements, catering, and dress hunting, your wedding can just as much be the most frustrating and aneurism-inducing day of your life as the most special.

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 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: 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: Sew gathering on a Singer sewing machine
Gathering is a technique used in many sewing patterns for such areas as sleeves, ruffles, and waist bands. This video sewing tutorial teaches you the basics of gathering using a sewing machine.

How To: Fix a broken skirt or trouser zipper
Are you in a hurry and just found out that your zipper is broker? This how to video offers a quick fix to almost any broken zipper that will save you lots of money. All you need to fix a zipper is a screwdriver, pliers, and candle wax.

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: Braid thread or yarn
This quick video tutorial demonstrates how to braid using three strands. Braided chains make great embellishment or decoration on sewing or knitting projects. Learn how to braid thread or yarn by watching this instructional video.

How To: Backstitch sew on a Singer sewing machine
Good habits make your sewing easier. This is a quick video sewing tutorial on backstitching. You'll know what it means when it's mentioned in patterns. Your sewing will be more professional if you remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam. Happy Sewing!

How To: Make a Support Halter Top
To make a support halter top shirt, you will need: Pattern for a basic bodice

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: Dye your clothes red or pink with dye made from strawberries
Make your own environmentally friendly dye at home, out of strawberries! You'll also need some vinegar, salt and old nylon stockings. Mash up your strawberries, strain them in the nylon and then boil your strawberry puree with salt, vinegar and your fabric.

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: Thread a sewing machine and wind a bobbin
In order to thread your sewing machine and wind a bobbin, you will need the following, a sewing machine an empty bobbin, thread, and a pedal control for your sewing machine. Choose a good quality thread. Place the thread in the holder on top of the machine. Place the cap on the end of the thread, in order to hold it in place. Loop the thread around the first guide. String the thread through the hole in the bobbin. Place the bobbin in the slot on the top of the machine. Hold the thread in you ...

How To: Use buttonhole scissors
Couture designer Kenneth D. King is an expert in what you would need to fill up your sewing box. Here, he discusses buttonhole scissors. Buttonhole scissors are made for making buttonholes without stretching or damaging the fabric. By watching this video you can learn how to adjust your buttonhole scissors so that you can make different size holes. Make sure to never to use these scissors to cut through paper as it will make the scissors dull and make it a lot harder to cut through fabric.

How To: Iron on patches for torn clothing
Is you favorite pair of jeans suffering from a hole in the knee? No problem. Extend the life of your clothing by using patches to cover worn or torn areas, or to embellish tired items and give them a fresh new look.

How To: Fill a bobbin on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine
Using a sewing machine entails knowing how to fill a bobbin with thread properly. This sewing how to video will show you how to fill a bobbin on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. Happy sewing!

How To: Make Homemade Microwaveable Foot Warmers
Well, Ol' Man Winter is upon us yet again, blasting us with his icy breath. When I was a kid, I loved wintertime because it meant the prospect of sledding, snowball fights & missed school days in which to enjoy both. Now that I'm 45, however, my attitude toward the season has taken a complete 180-degree turn: I find myself dreading it because of the likelihood of being snowed-in for days on end, and the certainty of being forced to endure the frigid temperatures.