Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos
How To: Make a no sew fleece blanket for Project Linus
In this tutorial, run by Project Linus, learn how to make a no sew fleece blanket for kids in need. This video will show you how to make a warm, comforting cover that any child would love.
How To: Sew a button onto any garment
Need to replace a button on a shirt? How about sewing something new with buttons? Learning to sew is a great way to get creative and to customize clothes you love by either tailoring them to fit your body better or embellishing designs by adding extra buttons or fabric. In this tutorial, learn how to hand sew a button onto a garment.
How To: Hand sew a button on a shirt
Missing a button and in a hurry? Instead of waiting a couple days when dropping off your dress shirts at a seamstress, why not fix the problem yourself within an hour? In this video, learn how to hand sew a button on a shirt with "How To Sew with Jenny T".
How To: Make a flower loop bow to decorate gifts
Leah for May Arts Ribbon shows how to make a flower loop bow. The following items are needed for it: Needle and thread, scissors, May Art Ribbons and a ruler. Buttons or flowers may also be needed to put on top of your bow as per your selection.
How To: Sew a baby bib
There's nothing greater than giving a baby a handmade gift that they will treasure. In this tutorial, learn how to sew a simple double sided baby bib. This bib is adorable and durable and will last long enough to pass down from kid to kid.
How To: Make a cool ribbon tree
This video shows how to make a beautiful little ribbon tree. This project is a great way to use up your leftover ribbon.
How To: Make ribbon blower
This is a great instructional video on how to make ribbon flower. First you have to take 12" long pink color ribbon. Now you have to use a needle with a linen thread.You have to stitch in the edge of the ribbon. Now fold the ribbon to look like petals of flower.Now add one small stitch to join the ends together. Then knot off the thread. Now add crystal effects along the flower edges. You can then use chunky glitter. You can also use power pals. You can now use the circle punch now. You can u...
How To: Hem a pair of skinny jeans
Are your new skinny jeans dragging on the ground? That's no good. Keep those bottom seams clean by hemming up your pants! In this sewing tutorial, learn how to hem a pair of skinny jeans and make them look as if they were taken straight to a professional seamstress.
How To: Sew easy darts
Inserting darts can instantly make a baggy piece of clothing fit like a glove. Dart placement, in all cases, depends on your body - you only use darts where you need "shaping" or when a garment needs "curves". In this video, learn how to sew easy darts into a garment that needs adjusting.
How To: Sew a skirt for an American Girl doll
Are you a collector of the amazing doll collection made by American Dolls? Want to make your own custom clothes for your American Doll? In this video, learn how to sew a simple skirt with guidance from this sewing expert.
How To: Decorate cushion covers
Leona from Artists Resource shows us how to decorate cushion covers with a beautiful multi-colored leaf design. You will need textile paint, metallic pens, scissors, glue, paintbrushes, masking tape, a marker pen, cardboard, scrap paper, and some cling film.
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: Do whipstitch applique
Want to attach an appliqué with a whipstitch? It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this guide can present a complete and thorough overview of the stitching process in just over two minutes' time. For more information, as well as to get started applying your own appliqués by whipstitch, watch this free video guide.
How To: Make a felt flower pin
Looking for your next craft project? Look no further. This crafty person's guide will walk you through the process of making a custom felt flower pin with supplies from your local craft store and about 45 minutes of labor. For more information, including a list of necessary materials and step-by-step instructions for making your own floral pin, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Make reversible placemats
Placemats are an important piece when it comes to setting the table. Not only can it add a certain sense of style to the table, but it can help keep your table top nice and clean! Usually placemats have only one particluar side where it is going to be used the most. In this video tutorial, you'll find out how to make reversible placemats so you have another option to choose from. Enjoy!
How To: Sew on a shank button
In this tutorial, follow along as Jenny T shows you how to sew on a shank button. In this video, you will learn how to sew a shank button onto anything - fabric, jeans, blankets, jackets - anywhere you may need a fix.
How To: Thread a sewing machine and start sewing
Before you can mend or create garments with your sewing machine, you'll need to thread it. This video guide will walk you through each of the necessary steps, from winding a bobbin to threading the top of the machine itself. For more information, and to get started threading your own electric sewing machine, watch this free video guide.
How To: Use your sewing machine as a beginner
Have a sewing machine and want to learn how to use it? If so, this ten-minute tutorial, which presents a general orientation to using an electric sewing machine, may be just what you need. For more information, and to get started using your own machine, watch this easy-to-follow video guide.
How To: Make twisted fabric flowers
One of the easiest flowers to make are twisted fabric flowers. These flowers can be made cheaply by using scrap fabric you already have around your home, and are sure to impress anyone you give them to. The flowers can be used as accessories or decorations, or even as embellishments on greeting cards and in scrapbooks. So, gather up some of that colorful unused fabric and start twisting!
How To: Make three basic fabric flowers
Real flowers are beautiful, but they don't last very long. In this tutorial, learn how to solve the problem of wilting daisies with these fabric flowers! In this video, you will see exactly how to create three different types of fabric flowers and accessorize to your heart's desire.
How To: Make quick, no sew fabric flowers
Do you have extra scrap fabric hanging around your craft room? Why not make something fun with it instead of tossing it? In this tutorial, learn how to take that extra fabric and turn it into cute, no-sew flowers in no time! Use the flowers for appliques, hair decoration, clothing design, pins, anything! These flowers are so easy to make you can put them together in two minutes.
HowTo: Lady Gaga Telephone Bra
Damn, I wanted to learn how to make those cigarette smoking glasses in Lady Gaga's Telephone music video, but the sparkly silver and black bra is fun, too (and perhaps a bit more practical). Previously, HowTo: Lady Gaga Video Glasses.
How To: Measure your body parts
Trying to lose some weight and inches off your belly, bottom, or legs? It is essential to measure your body before starting an exercise program. In this video, learn how to accurately measure your body parts for the purpose of monitoring your weight loss' progress.
How To: Sew a buttonhole pattern
This video will show you how to use your sewing machine to create a buttonhole stitch. The buttonhole patter is very useful when making clothing because it does exactly what it’s name implies. It is the stitching used to sew a hole for your button. The pattern is not as hard as it looks. You follow an ABC sewing pattern to create the four sides of your buttonhole and if you go slowly and follow the pattern with appropriate height adjustments your will be butting stuff up in no time. To finish...
How To: Tie paracord knot balls
Have more paracord than you know what to do with? If so, and if you're interested in storing it in a creative, esthetically-pleasing fashion (that is completely without any sort of material utility) then the paracord knot balls outlined in this video are for you! Tie some with this free video lesson.
How To: Make wool mittens
Olivia shows how to make ‘Woolen Mittens’ in this video, by recycling an old sweater! She begins by washing an old sweater in cold water. After washing, she puts the sweater in a dryer at high heat mode, to shrink it. The washed, dried and shrunk sweater is then placed on a table. The required length of the mitten is decided, taking care that the bottom end of the sweater shall be placed at the point where the mitten ends on the arm. The arm is then placed on the sweater and a mark is made ab...
How To: Wrap embroidery thread around a bobbin
In this how-to video, you will learn how to wrap embroidery thread around a bobbin. In this example, the embroidery thread is both purple and light purple, but you can choose whatever you want. First, take the end of the embroidery thread and place it through one of the slots. Hold it back, and then wrap the embroidery thread around the bobbin until you get near the end of the thread. The end should be placed in a different slot on the bobbin. By viewing this video, you will learn how to quic...
How To: Make a tote bag out of an old t-shirt
This video demonstrates how to make a tote bag out of an old T-shirt. For this project, you will need the following: scissors, a T-shirt, duct tape, a sewing machine, thread, and a leather sewing needle.
How To: Sew your own dream catcher baby blanket
Don't overpay for a marked up baby blanket at a department store or fancy boutique? You can make a beautiful blanket for your newborn and future family heirloom right at home. All you need are some basic sewing materials and your imagination. This video will show you how to sew a dream catcher baby blanket.
How To: Sew elastic (polybraid & Lastin)
This video is a tutorial on sewing both polybraid elastic and lastin elastic. Polybraid is a very sturdy fabric elastic, while lastin is a thin, clear, very stretchy elastic, good for use in diapers. It is important to buy name brand lastin elastic to ensure good quality.
How To: Use a paper punch with fimo
First of all take a small fimo punch. You can also use decorative buttons because the smaller cutters are not easily available. Now you need to take the sheets that have thickness less than one millimeter. You have to check them because the larger size shall not fit. Pop in the inlet just like a paper and try to fit. If not then use a roller to roll them to reduce their thickness. Now lift it with a ruler and then insert it into the inlet. The best way to do is to drop them in. Once it fits e...
How To: Make a pocket wallet out of recycled blue jeans
Digsart demonstrates how to make a wallet from a pair of blue jeans. First, with a pair of scissors he cuts out the back pocket of the jeans. You can paint the pocket with acrylic paint to give it a more sturdy feel. Once they are painted, he dries them out by placing them on plastic bottles. Once the paint is dry, he cuts a slit in the middle of the pocket, creating two sides for change and bills. Then, using a hot glue gun and Velcro, he glues the Velcro patches onto the pocket. Once the Ve...
How To: Thread a bobbin on a side threading sewing machine
This video shows how to thread your bobbin on a side threading sewing machine. We start off by making sure that the needle is in the most upright position. The upper thread guide when moved to the most top of its travel, the needle is in the most upright position.Then you take the bobbin case and your bobbin. Make sure the thread is coming up over the top towards you and not underneath and over the back. Slip in the bobbin into its case, put the thread through the groove under the potential s...
How To: Make a felt flower accessory
This is a demonstration of making a felt flower accessory for your head bands, waist band and even for your clothes. You will require wool fibers, bubble wrap, felt sponge rolling pin, washing bags and a container of hot water and a spray for soap water. First loose fibers are taken of the color you prefer for your flower and laid in one direction to the size and shape of the flower. Then a second layer is laid at right angle to the previous layer. Some strand of fiber is twisted and laid on ...
How To: Make stripy fimo buttons
In this video Corinne Bradd explains the steps involved in the creation of stripy fimo buttons. It is rather simple and requires only a few materials such as polymer clay, rollers, cutters and needles. At the start you have to place clay pieces (varying color) in the form of a rectangle one on top of the other and fusing them together by making use of rollers. After they have been fused they are shaped into circles by making use of cutters. Holes are punched into the circle by making use of n...
How To: Make a homemade hoodie out of an old t-shirt
This video tutorial in Arts & Crafts category will show you how to make a homemade hoodie out of an old t-shirt. Katia is presenting this video. First you cut out a T-shirt shape out of an old newspaper. You can do it freehand also. For the front piece, take the neckline down a little bit. Then draw a hood shape. To draw the neckline of the hood watch the video. So, you now have the back, front and the hood pattern pieces. Now take your t-shirt and cut it open from the side. Place the back an...
How To: Sew a cape
In this how-to video, you will learn how to sew a cape. The pattern is made of three pieces. The main part is made of a circle with a hole in the center. There is a cut made from the center to the edge of the circle. The diameter is about 145 centimeters. The hood is two half circle pieces, with a diameter of about 62 centimeters. The two parts will be sewn together along the green marks shown. Fold the rest fabric above the seam and sew it to the fabric next to the seam. Next, sew at where t...
How To: Wind a bobbin and thread the needle on a machine
Tracie Cunniliers demonstrates how to wind a bobbin and thread the needle using an automatic needle threader in 'Elna 2800'.To wind a bobbin, place a spool of thread on the holder. Place a thread holder next to the spool of thread. Take the end of the thread and wind it around the clip situated on the other side of the machine. Now take a bobbin and pull the needle through the bobbin inside-out. Now place the bobbin on the holder and click into place. Hold the end of the thread and slowly pre...
How To: Wind a sewing machine bobbin right every time
Ruth demonstrates how to wind a bobbin successfully every time you attempt. Place the spool of thread on the machine and wind the thread between the two disks on the spindle (found in all machines). It is better to wind the thread twice to avoid the thread come off the spindle. This does not damage the machine in any way. Pull the thread towards the bobbin and pull it through the hole in thy bobbin inside-out. Place the threaded bobbin into the winder making sure the extra thread is on top an...
How To: Decorate your home fabrics
Making your own Mondrian-inspired cushion cover is demonstrated in this clear and concise crafting video. Materials required are a plain cushion cover( preferably in a tight weave such as canvas or cotton; water; medium size, firm, flat edge paint brushes; scissors; one inch wide masking tape; a sturdy piece of cardboard , saran wrap and 4 jars of textile paint - one color should be black or graphite. You may choose plain or glitter paints. Cut the cardboard about one inch smaller than the si...