Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos
How To: Make a "One Tree Hill" Peyton-inspired tank top
Are you a fan of the CW's "One Tree Hill"? Profess your love for this long-running television hit by creating this character-inspired tank top! Based on a reconstructed tank worn by Peyton during a fight with Lucas in the fourth season, this shirt is really lightweight for summer and you can layer it on top of another tank top if you need the extra warmth.
How To: Make a trendy embroidered t-shirt with Whitney Sews
Back in the olden days, whenever we desired a nicely embroidered hankerchief or gown we'd sit by the fire with a flickering oil lamp, whittling our fingers away until the breaking hours of dawn. But nowadays, thanks to the genius of sewing machines, embroidery, even the most intricate kinds, takes far less time and midnight oil.
How To: Create a flattering A-line bubble skirt
Don't worry, while this episode of "Whitney Sews" does indeed teach you how to create a bubble skirt, we're not talking about the haute couture kinds featured on Alexander McQueen's last runway show (God rest his soul) and on other catwalks, ballooned out like a pure sphere and making even the skinniest size 00 models look like they're packing some in the back.
How To: Create bunting from old fabric scraps
No matter how often you sew or how many projects you complete, you can't possibly find a use for EVERY single scrab of fabric lying around. Your first thought is probably to throw them away, but there is indeed a project you can do that only requires the smallest of fabric scraps.
How To: Recycle old t-shirts into decorative bunting
Ah, bunting. In the crafting/Etsy world, bunting is one of the simplest pieces of decor to make as well as one of the cheapest, yet because of its minimalistic simplicity it's also one of the prettiest crafts ever.
How To: Embellish your clothes and accessories with buttons
Minimalist accessories are quite in right now, with interest being added by textures, cuts, and sleek designs. But sometimes a girl just wants to have fun with her clothing and accessories! In this episode of "Whitney Sews," Whitney will teach you how she embelishes wallets and other goodies with tiny buttons.
How To: Make a vintage style fascinator hat with a veil
For those of you not familiar with fascinator hats, they are vintage-style caps with feathers, small veils, and other little knick knacks attached on the sides that were often worn by fashionable women in the '40s and '50s.
How To: Create a fashionable shrug from an old t-shirt
Do you have a t-shirt lying around the house with the most gorgeous sailor stripe pattern but is simply too small to fit you now? Don't despair; in this episode of "Whitney Sews," you'll learn a method for creating a shrug out of an old t-shirt.
How To: Create cute underwear from old t-shirts
You've probably seen old t-shirts being turned into dresses, miniskirts, and if you're a fan of Gianny L, even two-piece bikinis, but you've probably never even thought about it transforming them into underwear. It may seem a bit odd at first, but making these intimate pieces from t-shirts means you can customize the pattern as well as the type of cut (cheeky, granny top, or thong?).
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 a simple floral summer skirt with Whitney Sews
During the summer, we all want to focus more on getting out into the sun and having an adventure than putting on layers of makeup and spending hours figuring out if, indeed, our Calvin Klein riding boots go with our Marc Jacobs sailor shorts.
How To: Sew a flowery, flowy spring top with Whitney Sews
Here at Wonder How To we LOVE spring buecause it allows us to indulge in the girliest of girly prints - flowers, hearts, crunchy granola hippie peace signs and happy faces - without restraint and without looking like a seven-year-old ready for church.
How To: Sew a sleeveless cardigan from an old t-shirt
Cardigans are pieces you can throw on with just about any outfit, from a cute miniskirt and tank top to long skinny jeans paired with a bohemian-style top. And with this episode of "Whitney Sews," you'll learn how to create a brand new hot pink cardigan...from an old t-shirt!
How To: Create a Halloween flapper costume from an old t-shirt
Halloween is such a fun time of year. Whether you're dressed up as a classic hook-nosed witch, slutty Playboy bunny, or Jessica Rabbit, the spooky holiday allows you to indulge in your wildest fantasies and look hot while you're at it.
How To: Create a cute jewelry drawstring bag with Whitney Sews
$4.95 jewelry boxes from Wal-Mart are probably not the chicest containers in which to put your prized sterling silver Tiffany's ring. Place your high fashion rings, bracelets, and necklaces in a similarly high fashion satchet by watching this tutorial.
How To: Create a reversible summer vest with Whitney Sews
A vest is an indispensible cover-up during the summer, not as thick or as stuffy as jackets because they let your arms, neck, and chest breathe, but still warm enough to keep you well covered during nippier summer nights.
How To: Make a coffee cup sleeve and stitch markers
Get your sewing tools ready, because it's time for another great tutorial. In this video you'll learn how to make two cool objects easily. One being a stitch marker that helps mark a certain place in a row when knitting. The other object is a coffee cup sleeve that is perfect for making sure you hands don't get burned. A big improvements over the ones that you can throw away and never use again.
How To: Drape the front and back bodice on a dress
For beginners, sewing can be a confusing a difficult hobby that requires patience and the right tools. Whether you're adding a button on a shirt or creating a dress from scratch, being detailed and precise is important.
How To: Sew a flat-felled seam
If you're into making clothes from scratch and need help with sewing a flat-felled seam, then this video is for you. In the tutorial, you'll get an in-depth explanation for how to sew one using your machine. This seam s generally used on jeans and it's usually not visible on the clothing. It's a very strong seam and requires some work in completing. So check out the video above and good luck!
How To: Make a cool looking pouch from scratch
Making your own clothes or items from scratch has its advantages. One being able to wear clothes that don't cost very much and will fit you perfectly and the other being that you can design them to look like whatever you want.
How To: Sew three different zipper applications
Having zippers on your clothes can be much better than having buttons or anything else. They're sturdy and can close up any gap with one swipe. If you plan on making your own clothes from scratch, it's important to know how to sew zippers onto your clothing.
How To: Make several seams with your sewing machine
You may or may not realize it, but there are certain seams that are used when making clothes. Each seam as their advantages for keeping things together, so it's important to know them when making your own clothes.
How To: Make a key fob from scratch
If you need to add some decoration to your keys, a key fob is the way to go. Key fobs are decorative items that many people carry with their keys. There are many different ways to go when creating a key fob, but one of the best ways is to make your own using fabric from the store.
How To: Easily make a paracord ladder strap
If you like tying different things just for show or to use, then you're going to love this next tutorial. This video will teach you how to easily make a paracord ladder strap. It looks really cool and seems easy to do, but it could take some time to finish. It's created using a variety of different colors and is sure to make others go, "Wow." So check it out, pay attention, and good luck!
How To: Create faux fur earmuffs and wrap holiday gifts
During the winter holidays, we want nothing more than to snuggle up into our Snuggie tents, put on Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," and sip a steaming hot cup of hot chocolate. But during those times we force ourselves to go outdoors (to, you know, go to work and stuff), we prefer covering up as much as we can.
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: Create a floral $2 reversible wrap skirt
Making your own dress saves you enough money as it is, and you'll be double the frugalista if you make that dress reversible. Though creating a two-sided reversible dress sounds hard to do, by adding a few tie straps it's about as easy as sewing an apron.
How To: Use sewing patterns for beginners with Whitney Sews
We totally get that sewing patterns purchased at a fabric store can be intimidating. With neverending pages of sketched out designs, random numbers everywhere, and little way of orienting yourself, sewing patterns seem to complicate the sewing process rather than facilitate it.
How To: Sew easy pillow shams from old t-shirts and fabric
Anyone who's tried to redecorate their home or even one room in their home knows that between new furniture, paint, and new upholstery, the budget for the job - or lack thereof - begins to skyrocket quickly.
How To: Recycle an old t-shirt into a headband
Got an old T-shirt lying around that's too small to wear but too cute to throw away? Oh what a dilemma. Rather than let your pretty T-shirt sit in your closet or attic and collect dust over the years as you decide what to do with it, give it new life by repurposing it into a headband.
How To: Sew a cute fleece beret for winter
Berets are as much of a staple as thick wool trenchcoats during the winter: they're soft, cozy, and look great no matter what you wear with them. And throwing one on your noggin' instantly injects you with a bit of French flavor.
How To: Recycle an old flea market jacket into cushion covers
When you move into your first apartment, it's a magical and joyous experience. And then the reality hits that you're broke, have no furniture, and the shower doesn't work. We've all been there, and while we can't aid you with your shower problems, we can help with turning mismatched flea market chairs into a set of more coherent seats.
How To: Turn a t-shirt into a pillowcase
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to turn a t-shirt into a pillowcase. The materials required for this project are: a pillow, a shirt (that fits over the pillow), pin, needle, thread, decorative trim and a sewing machine. Begin by flipping the shirt inside out and slip in the pillow. Position the pillow to how you want it and pin down along the sides to hold it. Now stitch the shirt together along the pin points. Trim off the extra fabric, leaving a 1/2" at the seam. Fold the bottom a...
How To: Sew a blind hem
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to sew a blind hem. Use a blind hem stitch when sewing the bottom hem of your Roman shade. It is very easy to do. For this you will need a sewing machine that has blind hem stitch already programmed in to it and a blind hem foot. Hem your fabric and pin it. Make sure the pointed ends of the pins are pointing outwards. Lay your fabric with the hemmed side facing up and the hemmed side towards the pressure foot. Then flip the hem upside so...
How To: Tie a Padlock style decorative Knot
In this Arts & Crafts video tutorial you will learn how to tie a Padlock style decorative knot. Padlock knot is a clever way to achieve the look and function of a padlock without having to bother about the key. Take a piece of rope, bend it in the center and make two loops on either side of the rope. Ensure the working end is over the rope in the left side loop and under the rope in the right side loop. Now overlap both the loops so that the left side loop is over the other loop. Now pass the...
How To: Install an orb on a Roman shade
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to install the Roman shade orb on Roman shades. Begin by threading the lift cord through the bottom ring of the shade and then slide the end of the cord through the orb. To do so, squeeze the orb to reveal an opening and slide the cord through the hole. The orb allows the user to easily adjust the tension of the Roman shades. Simply slide it back and forth to tighten or loosen. This video will benefit those viewers who have Roman shades, and would lik...
How To: Get started sewing with the right sewing tools
It's pretty much common knowledge that a successful sewing kit requires several different sizes of needles as well as differently colored thread. And if you're solely focused on patching up those favorite JBrand jeans of yours or a hole in a T-shirt, then that may be all you need.
How To: Sew a pretty embroidered design to your T-shirt
Plain tees are indispensable because you can match them with anything, from the plain to the outrageous. But sometimes you get tired of wearing the same old gray tee shirt time after time and want to spice things up a little.
How To: Turn bootcut jeans into skinny jeans with ModCloth
Skinny jeans are by and large the most popular cut of jeans in the fashion world right now, but purchasing a solid pair (from JBrand or William Rast) could set you back upwards of $300. And really, who wants to drop $300 for a few strips of denim that happen to have a name brand label sewn on the butt?
How To: Turn winter's turtleneck into spring's cute tube top with Gianny L
This tube top is the literal way to transform your winter wardrobe into your spring/summer wardrobe. Using a bland turtleneck which you are sure to have in stock from all those Christmas presents from older relatives, you can create a breezy tube top that's perfect for going to the beach.