Sewing & Embroidery How-Tos
How To: Sew with a sewing machine
Want to learn how to use that sewing machine? This video will teach you the basics on how to use a sewing machine. This video is part of a series and shows the basics of sewing, reversing the machine, and the basic mechanisms of the sewing machine. She will also show you what to do at the end of your fabric and proper hand placement on the machine while using the machine (no sewn fingers here!). A good step-by-step guide for first-time sewers.
How To: Turn old clothes into wine gift bags
Not sure what bottle of wine to get your wine-loving friend for their birthday? Don't sweat it. Get them a wine bag, and save money by making it yourself from old clothes!! Why spend money on wine gift bags when you can craft your own from stuff you already have in your closet?
How To: Sew a rolled hem for backpacking and hiking gear
This is a demonstration of sewing a rolled hem. A rolled hem is a stitch that is used most often when making your own gear for backpacking or hiking. Making your own gear is beneficial because you can make it totally custom, which fits your needs. This is a basic stitch, but very rugged and versatile. Just what the average outdoorsman needs.
HowTo: Felt Conversation Hearts
Ditch the cheesy champagne, roses and chocolate this Valentine's Day and go D.I.Y. for your sweetheart. Blog Lavender and Limes posts a simple HowTo on sewing these oh-so-cute felt conversation hearts.
How To: Sew a dart
Kate Hemmings & Vicki Taylor from Sew magazine show you how to properly sew a "dart" (a.k.a. taking in fabric to make it fit the contours of your body). Just follow these easy steps in the video:
How To: Create your own gorgeous no-pattern shift dress
1: Chose a stretchy fabric & fold in half, so that the right side of the patterns are together. 2: Lay dress on top of fabric & trace the dress with dressmakers chalk, allowing for a 1.5 cm seam allowance (except for the bottom. allow 5 cm).
How To: Hem pants so they fit
You will need marking pencils or chalk, scissors, seam ripper, pins and good quality matching thread. Mark desired length on each pant leg. Option 1: Stand on pants and place a pin where fabric hits the floor. Option 2: Fold pants up to desired length & pin. Take pants off; turn the leg inside out. Note original hem size after it is 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. Mark pin position/finished length. Rip out original hem stitching using seam ripper or point of scissor. Find right loop to pull & it will ...
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: Make easy fabric Christmas ornaments
Check out this video to learn how to make some easy fabric ornaments for Christmas. Decorating will be a snap, not a pain, when you take advantage of the scraps you have lying around from past projects. Let your holiday spirit out!
How To: Design quilts
Sure, buying a quilt is fun, but making your own is much cooler! Learn how to design and sew your own quilt by watching this informative video.
How To: Get a loose drawstring back into clothing
If you're drawstring fell out, it may seem like the end of the world, but take a deep breath -- it's possible to put back in!
How To: Make a sturdy tote from plastic shopping bags
With only a few simple steps, you could be on your way to making an eco-friendly and fashionable tote!
How To: Choose the best sewing machine
Whether you want to save money by making your own clothes or you just enjoy working with fabrics, choose the best sewing machine so your projects turn out great.
How To: Use a sewing machine properly
Even if you never took home ec, you can create simple projects by learning the basics of sewing machine use.
How To: Wind a bobbin
Your sewing machine needs bobbin thread to create overlock stitches, so keep your machine going by learning to fill your bobbin.
How To: Hem pants easily
Pants too long or too short? Skip the cost of a tailor – hemming your own pants is "sew" easy. You Will Need
How To: Sew a hem
Sure, you can always use iron-on hem tape to shorten those pants, but maybe it’s time to join the 35 million Americans who can sew—yes, with a needle and thread—a hem.
How To: Sew a straight seam
You can learn to confidently and accurately sew a straight seam. You Will Need
How To: Thread a sewing machine
Crafts are easily completed once you learn how to quickly thread a sewing machine. You Will Need
How To: Make sewing patterns
Design your own clothes by making sewing patterns, but pay attention to the details. You Will Need
How To: Make a plushie stuffed toy with Threadbanger
The holidays will be here before you know it! Get a head start right here on Threadbanger with guest John Murphy from Stupid Creatures. Learn how to put together your own stuffed aniumal/plushie/stupid creature for your friends and family while saving a buck or two this holiday season.
How To: Turn Regular Socks Into Non-Skid Slipper Socks
Tired of slipping on hard wood floors, but too cold to go barefoot? Make some of your favorite socks slip-proof. This how-to video project is an easy way to revamp your socks into a safer non-skid style. Your injury-free joints will thank you.
How To: Follow a sewing pattern
You don't need to be an expert designer to make your own clothes, only the patience to work step by step. This video will show you how to follow a sewing pattern.
How To: Turn a wire hanger into a cloth one
Are you bent out of shape over damage to your clothes caused by wire hangers? Don’t buy new ones – follow these easy steps to modify hangers you already have. Watch this video to learn how to turn a wire hanger into a cloth one.
How To: Sew a button by hand
Learn how to sew a button by hand. Not wearing your favorite shirt because it’s missing a button? Don’t worry—sewing on a new one is simple and fast.
How To: Decorate your graduation cap
Learn how to decorate your graduation cap. Customizing your graduation cap is a way to stand out among the sea of identical, ill-fitting graduation robes.
How To: Sew basket liners without a pattern
Check out this DIY video tutorial from Curbly, the best place to share pictures of your home, find design ideas, and get expert home-improvement advice.
How To: Thread a needle by hand
The first step in any sewing project is threading a needle. Here's how to do it—no headaches involved. Check out this Howcast video tutorial on how to thread a needle by hand.
How To: Apply glue to latex for creating latex fashions
There are different techniques to apply the glue on the latex sheeting, none of them is right or wrong. All that matters is what works best for you. This latex tip is helpful for making fetish clothing or latex fashion pieces. Latex clothing is integral to fetish clothing and used frequently in BDSM or S&M sex.
How To: Glue latex in 4 easy steps
This video tutorial belongs to the Arts & Crafts category which is going to show you how to glue latex in 4 easy steps. This is really easy and very fast to do. First you clean the surfaces using mineral spirit and a piece of cloth. Next you apply a thin layer of latex glue using a cotton bud or a brush. In the third step, you let the glue dry for about five minutes and then put the two surfaces together. And finally you apply pressure to the seam with a seam roller. That's it! The latex shee...
How To: Sew in an invisible zipper
An invisible zipper adds a nice finish to fancier sewing projects, as it just looks like a regular seam. This how-to video demonstrates sewing in an invisible zipper to a garment. The process is much easier if you have a specialty zipper foot for the sewing machine. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to sew in an invisible zipper.
How To: Sew a felt hair scrunchie
The hair scrunchie in this how-to video is so easy to make, even a cat can sew it. You will need a felt sheet of 8" x 8", an elastic string, a cutting punch, a hammer, marking pins, scissors, two big beads, and a cutting mat. Follow along with the step by step instructions in this video sewing tutorial and learn how to make a felt hair scrunchie.
How To: Sew a spiral shaped hair scrunchie
The hair scrunchie in this how-to video is so easy to make, even a cat can do it. You will need a felt fabric square of 20 by 20 cm, an elastic string of 30cm, a cutting punch, a hammer, marking pins, scissors, two big beads, and a cutting mat. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to make a spiral shaped hair scrunchie.
How To: Sew a frilly hair scrunchie
While scrunchies might not be that common a hair accessory anymore, you can make one of your own by following the steps in this how-to video. You will need two satin fabric pieces of 50cm, a sewing machine, sewing thread, a pair of scissors, marking pins, as well as brown and black satin fabrics. It's so easy to make, even a cat can do it. Check out this video sewing tutorial and learn how to make a frilly hair scrunchie.
How To: Make a hair scrunchie
Recycle any cloth, or use up scraps of a fabric you like by making a hair scrunchie like the one shown in this how-to video. No need for a pattern, the design is made from simple rectangles with size measurements provided in the video. Follow along with the steps and learn how to make a hair scrunchie by watching this video sewing tutorial.
How To: Sew a spa pillow and eye pillow
Melissa Watson from DIY Style shows how to make a spa pillow and eye pillow with micro beads and soothing lavender in this instructional video. You will need a sewing kit (needles, thread, pins, and scissors), 3/8 yard of two different kinds of cotton fabric, a cup of rice, 1/8 cup lavender, another fourth cup of lavender, and a funnel. Follow along with the step by step instructions in this how-to video and learn how to sew relaxing spa and eye pillows.
How To: Finish seam edges
Melissa Watson from DIY Style shows how to finish seam edges in this how-to video. Edges can fray, so sewing off seam allowances will keep fabric from unraveling. As an extra preventative measure, trim the edge with pinking shears. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to finish seam edges.
How To: Take measurements for sewing
When sewing your own clothes, you can take exact measurements to get a perfect fit. This how-to video demonstrates the process of measuring for clothing patterns. All you need is a measuring tape. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to take measurements. Take measurements for sewing.
How To: Thread a Brother sewing machine
Thread cassettes on a sewing machine allow you to advance prepare desired threads. This how-to video provides a video guide for using a Brother sewing machine, how to read indicator lights, and how to set the machine up for sewing. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to thread the cassette on a Brother sewing machine.
How To: Use a fold over elastic
Watch this sewing tutorial to use the fold over elastic for sewing dance clothing or any garment with a stretchy component. Simply fold the elastic over the seam or edge of the fabric and sew it on with a zig zag stitch to create a stretchy hem.