Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos
How To: Repurpose last season's skirt into a cute tote bag
Vintage is in right now, but that doesn't mean everything you can dig up in your mother's closet is fashionable (we're thinking her neon '80s balloon pants here). If you happen to find a skirt in her collection that's dyed a nice color but cut entirely wrong to look good on anybody, repurpose it rather than throw it in the trash.
How To: Turn a preppy shirt into a casual button-up princess top with Gianny L
Get rid of all your preppy shirts by morphing them into something spectacular. This is chic simplicity. A smart and casual princess cut button-up shirt that will never go out of style. See how to turn a preppy shirt into a cute princess top in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make a DIY chic tube dress with Gianny L
Nothing says chic like DIY. With spring and summer just around the corner, this breezy and elegant tube dress is all you need to stay cool. See how to make a DIY chic tube dress in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make a tattered heart V-Day T-shirt with Gianny L
St. Valentine's Day is coming up soon in February, but do you have a special outfit planned for that special someone? Well, even if you don't have a valentine, this tattered heart black shirt will show the world you care. See how to make a tattered heart Valentine's Day T-shirt in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Create comfortable and cheap pajama tops with Gianny L
One of the most important things in a person's life is sleep (some of us don't get enough of it, and some of us get too much). Why not make it one of the most comfortable things, too? Having the right sleeping attire is great for comfort, especially when you make them custom yourself. See how to make pajama tank top in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make cheap and cute pajama pants with Gianny L
Sleep is one of the most important things in a person's life. So why not make it one of the most comfortable things, too? Having the right sleeping attire is great for comfort, especially when you make them custom yourself. See how to make pajama pants in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Add pizazz to your flip flops with Gianny L
God knows there are a lot of shabby sandals around today. The only solution to the perfect pair of flip-flops is to mod them yourself. Add a little glamour to your sandals and see how to glam up your flip-flops in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make a cheap Tinkerbell costume from a T-shirt
The alluring and stylish GiannyL is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Do-it-yourself has never been so sexy before. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.
How To: Create a cheap "Alice in Wonderland" costume
The alluring and stylish GiannyL is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Do-it-yourself has never been so sexy before. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.
How To: Make fashionable leggings with minimal sewing
The alluring and stylish GiannyL is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Do-it-yourself has never been so sexy before. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.
How To: Make an adorable Pucca costume for Halloween
Pucca is an adorable Japanese girl whose always chasing after her true - but reluctant - love, Garu, in her Pucca comics and on zillions of branded accessories. Her distinctive two side buns and upturned eyes make her an easy character to love, and lots of young girls enjoy reading about her adventures in love.
How To: Make fashionable harem pants with Gianny L
Fashion doesn't have to be restrictive or uncomfortable, we swear. Thanks to the recent high fashion runway trend of harem pants seen at multiple shows in Paris, Milan, and New York, we now have a fashionable clothing item that doesn't (literally) take our breath away or suffocate our baby toe.
How To: Craft a breezy bat sleeve blouse with Gianny L
No, you're not going to look like a cheesy impersonation of Batman when you don this "bat sleeve" blouse. Composed of wide sleeves that encourage free air flow (always good, especially for sisters with sweaty armpits. Yes, we went there) and a nipped in waist, this blouse is flattering and comfortable at the same time.
How To: Transform an old T-shirt into a cool formfitting tank top with Gianny L
T-shirts are practical and unfailingly comfortable, but not particularly known for looking either sexy or fashionable (they're more, shall we say, frumpy, than anything else). But did you know that within the ugly duckling that is your blank gray T-shirt is a beautiful swan of a tank top just waiting to get out?
How To: Create personalized boxer shorts for Valentine's Day
Before you know it, Valentine's Day will be here. Or your boyfriend's birthday. Or your two year anniversary. And while buying the newest techie gadget for your boy will earn you a gold star on your head, you can truly get his heart racing by making him a pair personalized boxer shorts.
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 sleeveless draped cardigan in 30 seconds with Gianny L
Do you remember how to work a pair of scissors from 5th grade art class? Then you can definitely make this unbelievably easy sleeveless draped cardigan. Taking less than 30 seconds to make, all you have to do is trace two circles the size of your upper arm onto a piece of fabric.
How To: Make a girly, dainty cocktail dress for cheap with Gianny L
Got about two to three yards of a slinky cloth? Then that's all you need to make yourself a flirty cocktail dress in time for your next big soiree!
How To: Make a jewelry organizer out of a scarf and hanger
It's a common snafu: You're running late to a date with this cute guy you met at your English class last week, and you just HAVE to put on earrings. But as soon as you pick one out of the landfill-like dump, the rest of the earrings fly up with your selection, tangled and impossible to separate.
How To: Recycle an old T-shirt into a 2-piece bikini
Fashion a bikini absolutely no one else at the beach this summer will have by watching this sewing tutorial by GiannyL. Using only an old T-shirt, you'll learn how to cut the T-shirt into pieces and refashion it into a two-piece bikini.
How To: Repurpose plastic shopping bags into weavable plarn
Plastic bags on their own aren't quite strong enough to hold anything too heavy (at least not for an extended period of time), but when broken down into "plarn" - plastic yarn - they can be woven into some very sturdy fabric.
How To: Create a drawstring halter/dress out of old T-shirts
A drawstring halter dress is so perfect for summer. They're cute and breezy, allowing your skin to breathe, and aren't too boxy, so they don't visually add extra pounds to your silhouette.
How To: Repurpose an old T-shirt into a pillow
Due to the current bohemian/indie trend in music, film, and fashion, vintage and recycled wares are in high demand and sell like hotcakes in many stores. But don't waste your hard-earned money on overpriced vintage goods when you have the materials lying around the house to make them yourself.
How To: Turn T-shirts into cotton tube yarn
Yarn is certainly not the most expensive fabric-making material world, but why would you spend $5 for a roll when you can spin together yarn yourself?
How To: Dye fabric items with coffee or tea
We've all heard of dying paper with tea dye for an aged, vintage effect. But did you know you could use tea (and coffee) to dye other things as well, including T-shirts and yarn?
How To: Turn old jeans into a figure flattering pencil skirt
We all know we should dress for our body type, and that there are different cuts and fits of clothing specifically tailored to enhance our shapes, but there exists one universally flattering piece of clothing out there that we believe flatters all: the pencil skirt.
How To: Recycle old jeans into an embellished mini skirt
It's so easy to toss an old pair of jeans into the trash or to donate it to the Salvation Army, but if you put your mind to it you can still reuse your musty jeans, just not in the same way you used to use them.
How To: Make a bohemian apron for cooking
When cooking, it's always a good idea to wear an apron. They prevent any kind of spills from ruining your clothing and can be used as a shield to proetect you from hot liquids. So in this tutorial, you'll be finding ou thow to make an apron with a bohemian style look to it. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Make a pillowcase dress
In this video, learn how to make a little girl's dress out of a pillowcase. In this tutorial, learn how to take a unique vintage pillowcase and turn it into a stylish, cute dress that any little girl will love. This dress is pretty easy to make and your daughter will look great in it for years to come.
How To: Sew a blanket stitch
Using felt or another thick fabric for your current sewing project? Need to reinforce the edge of a thick material? You will then need the blanket stitch! In this tutorial, learn how to sew a blanket stitch the correct way.
How To: How Do You Embroider Wonder Bread? Very, Very Carefully
Or so says embroidery artist Catherine McEver. The quirky creator also says: "How long do they last? I have a couple of slices that are over four years old that look just like new."
How To: Make a surrounding loop for your hair bow
Steal Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf hair bow look by creating your own hair accessories! In this video from Hair Hardware, learn how to make a pretty surrounding loop to give your hair bow a finished look! Leave your house each morning feeling as if you left a stylist's wardrobe closet by creating these A+ accessories that will take your look from drab to fab!
How To: Apply a center knot to your hair bows
From Hair Hardware, learn how to apply a center knot to finish off your hair bow! Take your hairstyle to the next level and rock a stylin' do with help from this free video! Stop going the easy route: With a little time and effort, you'll walk out the door feeling like you just left a stylist!
How To: Make a bow using a fork
Need to wrap a present for an upcoming celebration but have no extra money to blow on pre-made ribbons and bows? Then check out this super quick tutorial on how to make a bow using a fork.
How To: Do a running stitch
Getting started in the world of sewing & embroidery? The running stitch is the most popular of stitches in which the needle is passed in and out of the fabric. Get started doing the running stitch (sometimes called the straight stitch) with help from this fantastic tutorial presented by Stampin Mama.
How To: Do a chain stitch
Getting started in the world of sewing & embroidery? The chain stitch is a popular stitch in which a series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. Get started doing the chain stitch with help from this great tutorial provided by Stampin Mama.
How To: Make a no sew tied fleece blanket
Want to get started in the world of blanket making but don't know how to sew? No sweat. There are ways to get around sewing to make a very cool no-sew fleece blanket through just knots and ties alone. Learn how to create an awesome gift for your loved ones this winter with help from this free tutorial.
How To: Use a computerized sewing machine
In this tutorial, Sherry shows you how easy it is to use a computerized sewing machine, the Singer 7466. Computerized sewing machines are a relatively new invention. They work just like traditional machines but cut out a few steps in between for a more perfect stitch.
How To: Do a cross stitch French knot
Even some experienced cross stitchers find the French knot difficult to make, and beginning stitchers are often afraid to choose patterns containing them. Luckily, the technique you will learn in this tutorial will make it easier to learn and to execute. In this video clip, your instructor will do several in a row just so you can get the hang of it. Once you decide to take the leap and try this cross stitch knot, use this video to help you along. So grab a piece of fabric, thread your needle ...
How To: Do a simple cross stitch design
In this tutorial, Emily Dawe, assistant home and crafts editor for Woman's Weekly, demonstrates a simple cross stitch design. Cross stitching is a fun hobby and really helps fill any empty time you may have. If you are looking to start cross stitching, have a look at this video and begin with the basics.