Sewing & Embroidery Features
How To: Do the Chevron Stitch
The Chevron Stitch is used in hand embroidery to work decorative bands and seam embellishments. It's a great stitch for smocking, too. Chevron Stitch is a lot like the herringbone stitch, differing only slightly by the fact that the stitches on the upwards stroke do not cross over the downward stroke stitches. It also sports a little straight stitch cap at the top and base of each triangle shape. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.
How To: Make cute little handmade dolls out of funky socks
You will need one pair of cute, funky socks for this tutorial, as well as some stuffing for the doll. This is an easy craft to do - turn some socks into something cute and clever! A fun little gift for anyone.
How To: Alter your own clothes
This week, the thread heads teach us how to take-in/alter our own clothing. This is totally useful, and not nearly as complicated as it looks. Who needs tailors?
How To: Embroider on thick or thin terrycloth towels
From thick-and-thirsty bath towels, to thin and lightweight kitchen towels, your embroidery will look beautiful, wash after wash, by following these easy embroidery techniques. This helpful instructional video will take you through the necessary steps to master the art of terrycloth embroidery. Enjoy!
How To: Sew a French seam with a sewing machine
Sewing becomes more interesting when you know different seams. This instructional sewing how to video demonstrates how to sew a French seam. Watch and learn how easy it is to join two pieces of fabric together with a French seam.
How To: Turn an old zipper into a flower decoration
Turn some old sewing basket leftovers into some fun and crafty creations! This tutorial shows you how to turn an old zipper into a trendy little flower. All you need, besides the zipper, is some needle and thread and some felt or heavy fabric to use as the base.
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: Sew zippers
In this video series, our expert will teach you how to sew a zipper. If you've ever thrown away a piece of clothing because of a broken zipper, this is the video for you to watch. Get step-by-step instructions for sewing three different kinds of zippers, including an invisible zipper, side zipper and center zipper.
How To: Do the Palestrina Stitch
Here's another video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for hand embroidery stitches - this one is for the Palestrina stitch. Palestrina stitch is used for outlining or filling and is common in both Jacobean designs as well as in Mountmellick embroidery, the latter because it gives a highly textured line or fill area.
How To: Tie the Basket Weave decorative knot
In this tutorial, we learn how to tie the Basket Weave decorative knot. First, hook your string to a hook, then tie a loop that is wide. After this, bring the strings to the top and make a heart shape. Now, twist the two loops on the side and twist them around each other. Now, bring the right string through the right loop and up through the left. Do this for the left string except using the opposite loops. When you are finished, pull on this tightly and release the string from the hook. Make ...
How To: Embroider a customized luggage tag
Creative, functional, and fabulous, these embroidered luggage tags are quick-stitching and make and fast, easy gifts. Embroidered luggage tags add a fantastic splash of color to suitcases and roller bags, making it uniquely yours for quick identification. And the best part? They are made right in the embroidery hoop. Watch this instructional embroidery video & make your own luggage tag today!
How To: Do the ribbon and padded ribbon stitch for embroidery
This video tutorial shows how to do the Ribbon Stitch or Japanese Ribbon Stitch and the padded Ribbon Stitch. Learn how to sew these simple embroidery moves by watching this instructional ribbon embroidery video.
How To: Sew a tote bag and make-up case
In this video series you're going to get started on making a fabulous tote bag with a matching make-up case.
How To: Make a pattern to sew your own custom made corset
You can buy a pre made corset pattern from a manufacturer, or, if you really want to start from scratch, you can draft your own pattern. This tutorial shows you how to take your measurements and translate that into a custom fit corset pattern.
How To: Upcycle a t-shirt into a Pikachu romper
Are you a big fan of anime and cosplay? Getting dressed up for anime conventions is super fun, but you can add to the excitement and save money by making your own costume.
How To: Make a recycled jeans organizer and play mat
Do you have an old pair of jeans that you don’t want to throw away but aren’t sure what to do with? Learn how to make a multi-pocket, hanging organizer and a peek-a-boo mat from recycled jeans in this free crafts video series.
How To: Do Indian embroidery (Zari)
Expert Ruchi will show you how to create your very own Zari work from start to finish. Part 1 of 17 - How to Do Indian embroidery (Zari).
How To: Do the Oyster Stitch
The oyster stitch is an isolated stitch. It is a combination stitch using the twisted detached chain stitch which is "surrounded" by an "open" chain stitch, or even a fly stitch. The oyster stitch makes a filled oval shape, suitable for flower petals or individual buds and accents. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.
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: Sew seam binding on sleeve edges
Use seam binding tape to quickly and easily finish the edge of a sleeve or neck edge or other garment edge. This sewing video tutorial shows you how to press your seam binding tape and easily sew it.
How To: Make a purple felt flower
This video is going to show you how to create purple felt flowers for your children or a nice little gift. The items you will need are an 18in piece of tread doubled knotted at the end, hot glue gun, a needle, a pom pom, and felt cut into the shapes you want to make your flowers out of. You want to begin by take the thread attached to the needle and doing a running stitch through the felt. Pull the thread as much as possible and then take the two ends and do a whip stitch to connect the two e...
How To: Sew a straight stitch by hand
This how to video tutorial demonstrates how to sew a straight stitch by hand, just in case you don't have a sewing machine. The straight stitch is excellent for simple hems, decorative stitching and gathering fabric.
How To: Sew a ruffle
This instructional sewing video demonstrates how to sew a ruffle. Choose any type of fabric and some stretchy material. Sew the stretchy material onto the fabric while the elastic is stretched out. When you let it relax the fabric will retain a natural ruffle. Try it out at home with your own designs.
How To: Sew jewelry bags
Looking for easy sewing projects? Learn how to sew your own jewelry bag with drawstrings in this free video clip about sewing patterns.
How To: Embroider lazy daisy stitches on 6 inch crochet square
Add even more personal touches to your crocheted items. This how to video is a tutorial on how to embroider crochet projects using the lazy daisy stitch. You can embroider just about anything with the daisy stitch. Watch and learn.
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: Make furry gloves for a fursuit
If you want to go furry, don't want to spend the money on a professionally-made fursuit, and have some sewing skills, you've come to the right place. This video will help you get your costume started by showing you how to make a pair of fursuit gloves yourself. They are durable, easy to move around in, and super cute.
How To: Sew a baby blanket
In this video series, our expert mommy Karina Fraley, will demonstrate how you can sew your own baby blanket and burping cloth. If you have a new baby, you know how expenses can build up, but learning how to make easy sewing projects like this baby blanket is a cheap way to create a beautiful gift for your baby.
How To: Make a fabric basket
Learn how to make a fabric tea basket including creating the pattern for the basket and assembling it.
How To: Make sewing patterns
Design your own clothes by making sewing patterns, but pay attention to the details. You Will Need
How To: Sew curtains
Learn how to sew curtains, how to choose the correct fabric and how to install them when you've completed a curtain sewing project with expert sewing instructions in this free crafting video series.
How To: Do the Rosette Chain Stitch
Here's a video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for another hand embroidery stitch - the rosette chain stitch. The rosette chain stitch is much like the oyster stitch, but it's worked in a line, or around curves. The oyster stitch is more often seen individually.
How To: Make custom machine embroidery designs
Anne Beckett is going to take you through this 15 part series on how to set up a custom embroidery design on a machine embroiderer. In this first part she'll cover how to tell if your design is good for the embroiderer.
How To: Sew an easy shirred empire waist summer halter top
Summer time is the best time to have fun with fashion. And since you're probably going to be spending most of your time beachcombing, nomming on large ice cream sundaes, and attending hot late night parties, your clothing choices should be as comfortable as possible.
How To: Make a DIY Silent HIll 1 Nurse cosplay costume
Silent Hill might be the single scariest game of all time, and it has spawned many sequels and films of wide-ranging quality. If you like the games and want to cosplay as one of the sexy yet demonic nurses from Silent Hill 1 and the film, this video will teach you everything you need to know, from what fabric to get to the pattern and how to put it all together.
How To: Make a boppy pillow cover
Make a handmade boppy cover for your breast feeding boppy pillow with the expert sewing tips in this free craft video series.
How To: Get basic tailoring tips
Clothing is tailored to improve the fit and look of a garment. Tailor clothes to fit each unique body-type with tips from a fashion designer in this free video series on sewing and clothing alterations.
Friday Fresh: Make Katy Perry's Cupcake Boobs & More
This week, we're taking a look at all that's sweet and spicy about Halloween. The time is almost here, and you've got to perfect your look and your treats. Make them something special that anyone will remember!
How To: Sew your own corset style top at home
This is not a tutorial on how to sew a real corset, rather, how to sew a corset style top. You will need some fashion fabric, eyelets, an eyelet attachment tool, ribbon, scissors, pins, measuring tape, tailor's chalk and of course, a sewing machine.
How To: Craft an awesome "Tron Legacy" laptop bag with EL wire
Are you a "Tron" fanatic? Then this laptop case will blow your mind. Styled after the streamlined, glow-in-the-dark "Tron" cinematography, this laptop bag looks like a "Tron" suit and will shine even at night.