Sewing & Embroidery Features
How To: Embroider mini wine bottle aprons for party favors
Add a dash of creativity and a pinch of color to your kitchen with embroidered bottle aprons. Dress up soaps, syrups, oil, and wine bottles with a bit of embroidery frill and fun. These mini aprons will definitely be the talk of the party! Watch this instructional video and start embroidering right now.
How To: Make a guitar strap
This video series from our expert Candi Cane-Canncel. Candi will guide you through the steps to create your own unique guitar strap.
How To: Make a blind hem stitch using a sewing machine
In this sewing tutorial, you'll need a sewing machine to make a blind hem stitch. The sewing machine used is a Brother LX-1325 compact and lightweight model, but you can use a similar brand and model. To make a blind stitch, you'll need to fold the fabric the way you normally would when sewing a hem stitch, then you'll pin it in place on the inside. Watch and see how it's done! Then you start sewing. This stitch will be hardly noticeable.
How To: Master the basics of hand sewing
Sometimes, hand sewing is a better idea than machine sewing - or maybe you just don't have a sewing machine, but still want to sew a few things. This tutorial shows you the materials and techniques you'll need to get started hand sewing.
How To: Create embroidered customized patches
Embroidered patches are fun and colorful way to mend holes and tears in garments, and a a great way to add personality to backpacks, bags, and jackets! Watch this instructional embroidery video to learn the step by step process of creating your own customized embroidered patches. Embroider your own patches to add a bit of style to your favorite outfit!
How To: Sew fold over elastic onto a cloth diaper cover
Cloth diapers are ecological and can be reused, without the endless waste of the disposable kind. Learn how to sew FOE (fold over elastic) onto a diaper cover. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to make cloth diapers at home.
How To: Use a sewing machine to sew on paper or cardstock
This video represents a union between two spheres of crafting - sewing and cardmaking. You can create some decorative stitching on your handmade greeting cards by using your sewing machine. Here's how you can sew on paper without ruining the paper or cardstock.
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 bell bottoms out of jeans
Add some flare to your jeans! Learn how to convert those boring jeans into flashy bell bottoms in this free clothing alteration and sewing video series. Bring back the 1970s!
How To: Make a sewing tote bag
In this video series our expert Terry Turco will show you how to make a sewing tote bag. She will show you how to make the pattern for the tote bag, mark the location of the handles, insert the handles, sew the bottom and the sides, and do a bit of slip stitching.
How To: Sew handmade purses
Do you love purses and handbags but don't have the money to buy a new one? Why not make your own handmade purse with the expert tips and instructions in this free sewing video series.
How To: Make a no sew apron out of your fabric scraps
Trying to figure out what to do with the scrap fabric in your stash? This tutorial shows you how you can make a no sew apron by raiding your stash. Dress it up by adding your own appliques, patches or embellishments.
How To: Tie a Rorschach style decorative knot
The Tying It All Together team, or TIAT, explains the origin of the Rorschach knot and demonstrates the techniques in order to make the decorative knot. The Rorschach knot, associated with psychological testing of a subject's perception of inkblots can become a decorative knot with just one string. TIAT shows how to make "bunny ear" loops consecutively around one another while repeatedly matting and firming the string to keep it in place. TIAT also pauses periodically for the viewer to keep t...
How To: Do the Whipped Running Stitch
Another hand embroidery stitch that's great for beginning embroidery - the whipped running stitch. It's a simple, quick stitch to work. This stitch is one of many line stitches that can be used for bold or delicate outlines, depending on your choice of thread. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.
How To: Make seat covers for furniture
Learn how to make seat covers for furniture with expert sewing tips from a seamstress in this free online upholstery video series.
How To: Sew an elastic into a cloth diaper by the blind method
Cloth diapers are ecological and save from waste. They can also be sewn easily at home. This method of sewing elastic should only be used on fitted diapers that will be serged. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to sew an elastic into a cloth diaper by using the blind sewing method.
How To: Create your own embroidery pattern from a photo
Dolin O'Shea and Make Magazine show us how to create an embroidery pattern from a photo.
How To: Knit a bikini bottom
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a bikini bottom. First, measure the widest part of your bottom area, then write this number down. Next, place your fabric where the measurement device just was, then mark where you want your underwear to fit. Mark this spot, then measure the lines out on the fabric. After this, use a pen or marker to mark the underwear shape. After this, cut out the shape of the underwear and pin all sides together. Now, sew the sides of the bottoms together, then flip t...
How To: Make a Bed for Your Pet Out of an Old Blanket
Hello! Today I would like to write a few lines about making a simple bed for your pet, for example, your cat or a bunny, using your old fabric. All interested can stir up a bit in the closet. I am sure there's an old towel or a blanket just waiting to be reused. Or some old clothes, made out of fleece, etc...
How To: Hem jeans
If you want to wear the flat shoes that are in style now, you will probably need to hem your jeans. with this tutorial you can do it yourself. The tutorial uses a sewing machine, but if you don't own one you can hand sew them.
How To: Sew a straight stitch on a Kenmore sewing machine
This is the final step of learning how to sew on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. Watch this how to video to learn how to sew a straight stitch on a this type of sewing machine. Run the motor as you press the reverse button, this locks up the thread.
How To: Sew three basic stitches while garment making
A clear complete demonstration of three basic hand Stitches used when making a garment. This video sewing tutorial demonstrates and explains the basting stitch, catch stitch, and thread tracing. Watch this instructional tutorial and learn how to sew three basic stitches for garment making.
How To: Hem pants
How to hem pants; get professional tips and advice on methods and techniques on sewing and altering clothing in this free instructional video series.
How To: Do the Double Feather Stitch
Variations to the feather stitch make it a versatile stitch for hand embroidery. Like the feather stitch, the double feather stitch is used for foliage, sprigs, greenery, etc., in all types of general surface embroidery, and is especially good for Brazilian embroidery, ribbon embroidery, etc. It works great as a seam embellishment in crazy quilting, and as an edging or border stitch on other work. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.
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: Make half square triangle quilted coasters
In this episode of the Crafty Gemini Show you'll learn some quilting basics and make a small project out of what you learn. You'll be run through some quilting terminology, including what a pieced quilt is, what quilt blocks are, and how to make half-square triangle block units using a super easy method where you can make two blocks at once.
How To: Make your own trendy circle scarf
Want to be on top of the trends this winter season? Circle scarfs are in now, and they are super easy to make! All you need is two yards of your favorite fabric, then sew it into a tube to create your own scarf.
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: Make a hoop shirt and arm warmers out of a pair of tights
All you need for this tutorial is a pair of tights (the stretchier, the better) and a pair of scissors! Take your tights and cut them in a few places to turn them into a top! Or, cut them a different way to turn them into arm warmers!
How To: Make a unitard
Unitards are tight-fitting costumes worn by superheroes, ice skaters, athletes, and other performers for style and function. In this free video series you will learn how to make a unitard from scratch.
How To: Do the Roumanian Couching Stitch
Here's another video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for a hand embroidery stitch called Roumanian couching, which is used primarily as a filling stitch.
How To: Sew with correct thread tension
If you are having trouble getting the right thread tension for your sewing machine, check out this video.
How To: Sew a ballgown using a dressmaker
Are you going to the prom and nothing hanging in your retail stores is making the grade? Why not make your own prom ball gown at home? With some sewing skills, you might just top the best dressed list! In this two-part sewing tutorial, learn how to sew a ball gown using a dressmaker.
How To: Make a denim skirt from jeans
Vicky Taylor from The Crafts Channel teaches us how to transform an old pair of jeans to a trendy denim mini skirt. Get a pair of denim jeans and cut the front side from the end of the zipper downwards to the crotch. Do the same at the back making sure that it is at the same length on the front. Measure the length of the skirt you wanted. Cut it off and make sure they are the same length. Overlap the flaps created at the front and stitch them together. There will be a triangular open part at ...
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: Embroider a chain stitch
Linda Augsburg shows you how to do an embroidery chain stitch.
How To: Tie the Slatt's Rescue Belt knot design
In this video TIAT shows you how to make a rescue belt. Begin by making a basic knot in the center, holding that knot on the top of your ring finger and between your thumb begin making loops. To create these loops extend the strand to the right side of the knot straight out parallel to your thumb, with your right hand curl the yarn first up, than forward, than back down forming a circle that you slid over your thumb. Take the tail of the cord and pull it snug. Repeat these circular loops unti...
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: Baste on your sewing machine
Learn one of the most basic sewing techniques, machine basting.
How To: Thread the needle in silk ribbon embroidery
This video tutorial shows how to securely thread the needle with silk ribbon in order to embroider. Threading the needle properly is the first step to embroidery success.