Hot Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos

How To: Sew a great DIY cosplay costume

Sewing your own cosplay costume requires a massive investment of time, energy, and sewing skills. Before you get started, you should watch all of this three-part video tutorial on sewing cosplay costumes. It covers everything from buying fabric to the actual sewing and everything in between, and should have you ready for you next anime convention in no time.

How To: Choose the right character to make a costume for and cosplay as

Cosplay is a fine art these days, and if you want to get into it, deciding which of the thousands of characters you have to choose from to cosplay as can be tough. Making a good costume is hard work, so you want to make sure you choose the right character for you before you invest your time and money. This video features several regular cosplayers giving you all sorts of tips and advice for picking your character based on body type, personality, and other factors.

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: Use and get the right materials for making a fursuit or other costume

Cosplay-friendly conventions are going through a sort of renaissance right now. AnimeExpo, ComiCon, A-Kon, PAX. All over the country people are dressing up as anime characters and furry animals and filling exhibition halls to mingle. If you want to have a really badass costume, you're going to need the right materials. In this video, a semi-professional costume-maker will walk you through the materials you need to make a great fursuit or other elaborate costume and where to get them.

How To: Make a hedgehog plushie

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a hedgehog plushy. First, choose a fabric to use, then cut out the shape of it. Once you have done this, cut it out again and pin the two pieces of fabric together. After this, use a sewing machine to sew all of the sides together, leaving a hole in the bottom. Now, turn the hedgehog inside out and then iron him flat. Place some stuffy cotton into the plushy until it is as full as you would like it. Then, sew the hole together so none of the stuffing can...

How To: Glue straight and curved latex seams

In this tutorial, we learn how to glue straight and curved latex seams. First, press each piece of latex down so it's just touching in the middle. After this, use your finger to press down on the middle, then take a roller and roll over the middle until it's perfectly straight. Now, stretch out the latex to make sure that both sides are stuck together. To glue curved latex seams, place the pieces together slowly, pushing your finger down in the center as you go to make a curved effect. Once y...

How To: Use a rotary cutter

In this video, we learn how to use a rotary cutter with Kenneth D King. Before you begin, make sure to use a cutting mat so you don't damage the top of your surface. To cut your item, you simply place the rotary cutter on the bottom of the item, then run it through until you have reached the top, or the desired area you want to cut. If you want to cute with a different shape, then you can purchase different cutters that will create shaped edges on what you are cutting. After this, place your ...

How To: Make a pair of distressed jeans

For just a fraction of the cost of a pair of expensive designer distressed jeans, you can make your ripped pants own at home! With just a few household items and a bit of time, you can get that worn appearance by adding a few holes and using bleach to get the right faded look.

How To: Make cozy fleece pants for a Christmas present

We know how hard it is to buy a present for a woman during the holidays. 99% of the time she's not going to wear what you buy her, and giving her a practical gift like a blender or a new microwave - despite your best intentions - is just cause for a good talkin' to. So how do you indulge that special woman in your life this Christmas without getting slapped?

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: Setting up your sewing machine

In this video, we learn how to set up your sewing machine. First, place the thread onto the top pin and pull it down. Then, wrap the thread around the bobbin pin and then push the pin onto the top next to the pin. Now, run the foot petal and keep threading until the spool is fully threaded. Next, place the spool in the bottom of the machine and place the lid back onto the bottom area. Now, thread the top thread down through the tension setting, through the hook, then into the needle. Now you ...

How To: Turn an old dress into a fashionable romper

Some dresses we just never get around to wearing. Like that hideous one our mom gave us with a decent tropical print but hemlines that go down to our ankles. Cute...if you live in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. We're sure you probably have an ever accumulating stash of similar dresses that you know you'll never wear but don't want to toss either.

How To: Make cloth flowers

In this tutorial, we learn how to make cloth flowers. Start out by grabbing several different strips of fabric and folding it into a shape that makes a flower. After you do this, place a needle into the fabric so it doesn't come unraveled. After this, start to twist the fabric and then thread the needle through the strip. Now, pull the fabric up and it will scrunch up into a flower shape. Now, wrap this around a stick with a piece of fabric on it, that will become the middle of the flower. Wh...

How To: Make Hand Warmers

In this tutorial, we learn how to make hand warmers. You can make this out of pockets off of an old sweater. First, grab a piece of copy paper and measure over two inches, then fold it in half. After this, measure down 1.5" and then draw a line where this mark was. After this, cut the piece out and lay the paper on the sweater, then draw a line on the paper for the thumb holed. After you do this, you will cut out the area on the sweater, then sew it around on the sides. When you are done, you...

How To: Tie a triskelion knot

In this video, we learn how to tie a triskelion knot. First, create the knots base by tying a knot at the end of the ropes. After this, weave the knot by pushing a side loop into the side loop next to the end pieces. Once you push these through the middle, push the ends through the loops and then pull the sides tight until you have a "y" shape. After this, your knot will be finished and you can use this however you would like. You can turn it around the see the best design on the rope and enjoy!

How To: Thread a horizontal sewing machine

In this tutorial, we learn how to thread a horizontal sewing machine. Start off by setting the spool on the top of the machine and placing a cap on the top to hold it on. Next, thread the string through the thread guide and then through the number one. After this, it will go down through the slit and end up at the bottom. It will go through the number two, then go up to the top and go through the number three turn. Once you reach the bottom of the machine, thread the needle, then put the bobb...

How To: Use the cross stitch 'n paint technique

In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to use the cross stitch 'n paint technique. It combines simple back stitching and water color painting. Most of the materials are found in your kitchen. You will need wax paper, paper towels, and a plate to use as your paint palette, some water colors and paint brushes. After choosing your design, back stitch the outline on the fabric. Place the white paper towel over the wax paper and spread the stitched fabric over it. Now you are read...

How To: Edge finish with lingerie elastic

In this tutorial, we learn how to edge finish with lingerie elastic. First, grab your elastic and place it onto your fabric. Line up the elastic so it matches in perfectly with the fabric. Use a sewing machine to sew the elastic onto the fabric. Go slowly while you are doing this and lift the elastic in your hand as you continue to sew it on the fabric. When you get to the end of the fabric, the elastic will be sewn on, and you will be able to wear it! This only takes a few minutes, just make...

How To: Embroider with beads and sequins

In this video, we learn how to embroider with beads and sequins. First, push the needle through the bottom of the cloth into the top where the sequin is at. After this, continue to thread in beads and more sequins. Make sure you are pulling through on the bottom so you attach the beads to the thread and they don't fall off. When you are done with this, you will push the needle through the top of the cloth, then tie it at the bottom and cut off the excess thread. When done, you will have a bea...

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: Draft a pants sloper

In this tutorial, Don McCunn teaches us how to draft a pants sloper. First, measure out the center line of the leg and then draw the center line onto a piece of paper. Now, measure from the waist and mark the measurements along with where you drew the center line. Now, measure down to the hip level and mark this as well, making sure to use the fullest area of the hips. Next, you will need to determine the crotch from the waist to the area where the subject is sitting, then mark it. Use a stan...

How To: Sew & measure elastic

In this tutorial, we learn how to sew and measure elastic. First, place the elastic over your waist and think about what you are making. Decide if you want it to be comfortable or if you want it to be tighter if you are wearing it out during the day. Also take into account what type of fabric you are going to be using so you know how much elastic is needed. Fold the elastic and mark the inside and outside of the fold, now do the same thing with your fabric. Now you will know if you need to ea...

How To: Use tailor point scissors

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use tailor point scissors. These scissors are short, have a broad spine on the blades and contains both a knife and bevel edge. The knife edge allows the scissors to go through the fabric and the bevel edge allows users to cut in layers without cutting what's underneath. The broad spine prevents the separation of the blade points. The short blades allow better control and easily movable. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy stitching and...

How To: Hem your favorite jeans

In this tutorial, we learn how to hem your favorite jeans with Laura. First, place your jeans on your body, then cuff them where you want to hem them. Next, take your jeans off and pin the cuffs where you wan to hem them to keep them in place. Next, measure out the length of the hem and mark it with a piece of chalk, then you can take out the pins. Next, you will cut the pants, then pin them back where you want to hem them at. After this, you will take them to the sewing machine. After this, ...