Hot Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos
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: Tie the Spinal Sinnet decorative knot
To tie the spinal sinnet, take the thread folded from left to right and hold it at the cross. Now insert the right thread in to the hole and pull the left thread to make it tight. Take the end of the thread and insert it and pull the thread which is close to the knot, you will get another hole. Now cross the hole and then insert the right side of the thread and pull down the thread close to the knot. Repeat the same till the end of the thread. Now the spinal sinnet is ready to use.
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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: Embellish a thread painting on a sewing machine
"Big Fancy Fruitbowl" is a threadpainting that needed some embellishment. Using the bar-tack on the sewing machine three decorative techniques are demonstrated.
How To: Alter your own clothes
This week, the thread heads teach us how to take-in/alter our own clothing. This is totally useful, and not nearly as complicated as it looks. Who needs tailors?
How To: Make a Tailored Coat for Your Pet
As the cooler weather starts rolling in your pet will need more than just his natural coat to keep the shivers away. Take him out in style by designing a simple yet elegant tailored coat that will fit him perfectly. Here is an easy lined tailored coat with a nice thick comfort strap to keep him snug. Watch this video and follow the accompanying written instructions.
How To: Draft a Pattern for Baby Shoes
Here is a simple way of how to draft and create your own pattern for mary jane baby shoes. It is simple and can be done in under 30 minutes. The Stitching Scientist: How to create your own pattern for baby shoes
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 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: Make a Bed for Your Pet Out of an Old Blanket
Hello! Today I would like to write a few lines about making a simple bed for your pet, for example, your cat or a bunny, using your old fabric. All interested can stir up a bit in the closet. I am sure there's an old towel or a blanket just waiting to be reused. Or some old clothes, made out of fleece, etc...
How To: Sew a Stroller Bag
I was tired of digging around in my stroller basket—it was impossible to reach! So I designed this easy-to-sew stroller bag. It snaps onto ANY stroller's handles, and hangs where you can reach it.
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: Design a Basic Straight Skirt Pattern
This is a step-by-step video showing an easy way to design a unique skirt pattern. It's for a basic straight skirt pattern. After you have your pattern finished, you can create any skirt style that you can imagine. Don't waist time. Watch below to start designing your pattern to fit your body perfectly.
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: Make a Support Halter Top
To make a support halter top shirt, you will need: Pattern for a basic bodice
How To: Make Recycled Deconstructed Roses
In this article, you'll learn how to create deconstructed roses in less than five minutes with your leftover fabric scraps. It's a great way to recycle your leftover fabric! Follow the instructions below and watch the videos for a demonstration.
How To: Create a simple off the shoulder top by cutting off a t-shirt collar
Most people think that you have to be a whiz with the needle and thread as well as proficient on the sewing machine in order to make or tailor your own clothing. But the truth is that for easy modifications, like turning an old t-shirt into a modified, chic top, all you need is a pair of scissors and perhaps a stitch or two.
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 an awesome birds nest Easter hat for a boy
Why should women get all the pretty hats at Easter time? You can make a fun and seasonal Easter hat for a boy quite easily! This video shows you how to take a plain hat and turn it into a birds nest hat. You will need: a hat (a plastic party fedora will work just fine), a wide strip of ribbon for the brim, a pair of scissors, some raffia, artificial leaves, a stuffed or toy bird and some craft glue.
How To: Make a ball gown out of trash bags and newspapers
The newest trend in couture? It's called 'trashion' - high fashion using trashy things. And we mean trashy! This tutorial shows you how to make a ball gown using trash bags, duct tape and newspapers. You'll also want a dressmaker's dummy to construct your dress around - or at least a model who's okay with standing still for a long period of time. Use the trash bags to form the dress, and then attack the newspapers over it layer by layer. You're ready for your debut!
How To: Make a mermaid wedding dress out of newspapers
Looking for something unique to do for your wedding? Hate the idea of going from store to store, looking for the perfect bridal dress? What if you could make your own wedding dress... out of newspapers? This tutorial shows you how to make a bridal gown with a mermaid silhouette (fitted bodice and upper skirt, flaring out at the bottom) using nothing more than a few stacks of newspapers and some clear tape. You'll need a few bridesmaids to help you out, but it's guaranteed to fit!
How To: Make a rhinesone stencil template
Like a rhinestone cowboy! Yahoo! Alright, time to get your arts and crafts on and create your very own rhinestone stencil template so you can dazzle and bedazzle your friends and family or whatever craft project you're currently working on. Follow the steps of this nice how-to and learn to make your very own rhinestone stencil template! You're going to need a program like MS Paint, Photoshop or some other image creation or design software to make your stencil.
How To: Sew a perfect jet pocket on a jacket or dress
A welted pocket (also called a jetted pocket or piped pocket) is a pocket where it appears just to be a thin slit in the fabric of the garment. Ideal for when you are making something you want to have pockets, but don't want to necessarily draw much attention to them - such as tailored suit jackets or streamlined dresses. All you need to learn this technique are some basic sewing notions (scissors, pins, etc) and either bias tape or the ability to cut your own bias tape from your fashion 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: 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: Quickly hem the edge for any garment without a sewing machine
So you don't have a sewing machine, but your favorite pair of jeans or shirt has a hem that is coming undone. You can use a liquid fabric glue, like Perky Bond, Stitch Witch or Steam A Seam, to quickly fix any hem.
How To: Make the Nutcracker's hat from "The Nutcracker"
If you've ever watched "The Nutcracker" before, then you know that one of the most whimsical and (physically) memorable characters of the ballet production is the King himself, the Nutcracker.
How To: Sew a simple fashionable purple infinity scarf
Infinity scarves are ridiculously easy to make at home. All you need is a long strip of thick fabric in a print you enjoy and some basis sewing utensils.
How To: Sew a simple floral strapless dress for spring with Gianny L
This spring dress will be a staple in your chic closet well through summertime. So devote a few minutes of your time now to check out this DIY fashion video by Gianny L to learn how to sew this very pretty floral strapless mini dress.
How To: Identify the basic parts of a sewing machine and thread it correctly
The first part of this tutorial shows you the various parts of your sewing machine, which will be the same regardless of the model. Then, you're shown how to thread both the top and bobbin of the machine, and start stitching.
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: 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: 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: Upcycle a glass jar by redecorating the top
Take one plain Mason jar or glass jar. Add your favorite scraps of fabric, ribbon and other embellishments. Decoraate with lace, beads, sequins and applique. You now have a lovely upcycled glass jar, perfect to give as a gift or favor.
How To: Sew a cute and chic layered skirt without a pattern
A layered skirt can add either elegance or a bit of funkiness to your wardrobe, depending on your choice of fabric. This video shows you a quick and easy way to sew your own, perfectly fitted layered skirt out of whatever fabric you want.