Sewing & Embroidery Features
How To: Sew an owl softie out of acrylic felt
This Arts & Crafts how to video shows you how to put together a soft owl figure out of felt. Learn to make this felt owl or get creative and sew your own felt animals. Cut out the felt pieces, polyester fiber felt, and craft thread to create fun art and craft figures.
How To: Make a sewing optional Greek goddess costume for Halloween
Would you believe us if we said you could put together a last minute Halloween costume in less than two minutes? The very idea sounds preposterous, but we're not bluffing.
How To: Sew a simple high-waisted retro skirt with Gianny L
A high waisted skirt is one of the most flattering skirts you can wear. Because it's cinched in directly at the smallest part of your midsection - your waist - you automatically get an hourglass figure silhouette.
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 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: Make an apron out of an old pair of blue jeans
The kitchen is the heart of a home, so this week we are making an apron out of an old pair of jeans. We also accessorize our tabletop with an array of centerpieces and give you a refreshing quick tip to serve your guests.
How To: Do embroidery stitches on knitted fabric
Learn the chain stitch and wrap stitch, two embroidery techniques. Use this technique to embellish knitted fabric.
How To: Sew your own corset tank top at home
This is a great and attractive shirt - a corset tank top. You don't need a pattern to make this, just some fabric, lining and ribbon. You'll also need some basic sewing notions and access to a sewing machine to sew this very basic item.
How To: Sew Madonna-inspired easy lace fingerless gloves
Have you ever been in a Madonna mood but didn't have the guts to rock full-on padded shoulders and leather glovelets? Then these lace fingerless gloves are the perfect balance between '80s cheekiness and wearability.
How To: Upcycle an old t-shirt into a mini messenger bag
Got a few old t-shirts lying around your closet? Unclutter your space while reusing and reducing waste by watching this tutorial, where you'll find out how to breathe new life into an old t-shirt by transforming it into a mini messenger bag.
How To: Do the Colonial Knot
The colonial knot is used in hand embroidery in the same applications as the French knot. Here's a video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread to help you get the hang of the colonial knot.
How To: Sew a slip stitch easily
Make It Mine associate editor Tea Benduhn shows you how to hem using a slip stitch. A slip stitch will make a stitch that is not visible on the other side of the fabric. Watch this video sewing tutorial and learn how to do a slip stitch for hemming or any delicate sewing projects.
How To: Do the Bokhara Couching Stitch
Bokhara couching is a filling technique used in surface embroidery. Unlike regular couching, Bokhara couching uses only one thread, which serves as both the laid thread and the couching thread. Watch the video from from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.
How To: Sew a simple adorable ruffled black strapless dress with Gianny L
A strapless dress is a smoldering, make-'em-weak-in-the-knees choice for any glamorous occasion. But getting both a beautiful dress and one that fits you to a tee is rather difficult.
How To: Upcycle an oversized t-shirt into a feminine halter top
Doesn't this feminine and romantic halter top look like something you'd see at a high end retailor like Ann Taylor? Silky and soft, this halter top is actually made from an old oversized t-shirt.
How To: Make a DIY double braided elastic headband
Bohemian headbands are everywhere in Hollywood. Fashion designer and waif Nicole Richie is frequently spotted wearing them around town as well as on the red carpet (showing just how versatile they are), and Mischa Barton doesn't leave the house without one.
How To: Make yarn for a scarf from recycled strips of silk
If you're a habitual knitter, then you probably go through spools of yarn faster than you can buy them. And while rolls of yarn aren't all too expensive, purchasing many of them frequently does take its toll on your wallet. So why not opt for a cheaper and more eco-friendly approach to your knitting?
How To: Sew a whip stitch by hand
This how to video sewing tutorial demonstrates how to sew a whip 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 simple floral strapless dress for spring with Gianny L
This spring dress will be a staple in your chic closet well through summertime. So devote a few minutes of your time now to check out this DIY fashion video by Gianny L to learn how to sew this very pretty floral strapless mini dress.
How To: Make a handbag out of a recycled book
Create a custom, colorful purse using a vintage book and coordinating fabric. Read the accompanying article at http://www.curbly.com/Chrisjob/posts/...
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: Do the Wheat Stitch
If you are a beginner at hand embroidery, one of the first stitches you will probably learn is the chain stitch. The chain stitch has many variations, and one of them is the wheat stitch, also known as the wheatear stitch. This stitch is simple to work and produces a line that resembles a shaft of wheat. The stitch can be used in all kinds of applications - it would make great background greenery in flowers and gardens, it can also serve as a seam embellishment in crazy quilting, and it can s...
How To: Do the Herringbone Stitch
This is a video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for the herringbone stitch, another versatile and easy embroidery stitch for beginners, and used often by all levels of embroiderers.
How To: Make a child's ponchos
Looking for free poncho patterns? Learn how to make a fleece poncho without sewing in this free video series about no sew projects.
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: Change a sewing machine presser foot
Use the right presser foot for the right job. If you are having trouble with easily changing presser feet, you need this video. You also need the slant shank adapter, as it makes changing presser feet even faster and easier than the screw on feet. Learn how to change the presser foot attachment on a Singer sewing machine by watching this video sewing tutorial.
How To: Master the art of fringe embroidery
Add dimension and excitement to your embroidery collection! Fringe embroidery is not only fun, but the added texture and three-dimensional quality of fringe makes these specially-digitized designs look as if they could literally jump off the fabric! Watch this exciting embroidery tutorial video and start embroidering some fringe today!
How To: Sew a simple pillow or dog bed out of jeans
In this how to video tutorial learn to sew a simple pillow out of jeans. Make your own pattern and create a pillow using just about any piece of clothing you don't use. You can also use creation as a pillow or as a dog bed if you make it big enough.
How To: Make a quick ruched tank top from a t-shirt
Old t-shirts can be given new life when you take a gander at this upcycling tutorial. Using nothing but a raggedy old t-shirt, you'll learn how to make a cut here and put a stitch there in order to magically transform the shirt into a wonderous tank top.
How To: Do the colonial knot in silk ribbon embroidery
This video tutorial shows how to do the Colonial Knot in Silk Ribbon Embroidery. Learn how to sew these simple moves by watching this instructional ribbon-embroidery video.
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: Embellish your clothes and accessories with buttons
Minimalist accessories are quite in right now, with interest being added by textures, cuts, and sleek designs. But sometimes a girl just wants to have fun with her clothing and accessories! In this episode of "Whitney Sews," Whitney will teach you how she embelishes wallets and other goodies with tiny buttons.
How To: Sew zippers
Want to attach a zipper to your sewing project? Get tips for sewing on zippers in this free craft video series from a professional clothing designer.
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: Master the art of monogram embroidery
Whether classic or modern, embroidered monograms make towels, totes, pillows, and shirts uniquely yours. This embroidery instructional video shows classic and traditional ways to monogram, and modern and contemporary styles. Learn some monogram embroidery tips for your next project.
How To: Stitch the soft knot for silk ribbon embroidery
This tutorial video will show how to do the typical soft knot used in silk ribbon embroidery, or the preferred method of the quilter's knot. Most ribbon embroiderers do not use a knot and just pierce tails or come back with another needle and thread and secure the tails that way.
How To: Make a skirt out of shorts
Clothing alterations, patches, inserts, and skirts! Learn how to turn shorts into a skirt in this free sewing video.
How To: Make an easy fabric rosettes out of a recycled T-shirt
These rosettes can be used as embellishments however you like - turn them into hair accessories, attach them to a sweater or use them to upcycle another T-shirt. Dress them up with beads or ribbon. All you need are some scissors and a hot glue gun.
How To: Sew your own set of blackout Roman blinds
This tutorial shows you how to sew your own set of black out or Roman blinds. You will need some heavy fabric in your chosen colors, a large work table, a steam iron and a heavy duty sewing machine or serger.
How To: Do the Daisy Stitch
The detached chain stitch, also known as the "lazy daisy" or just "daisy" stitch, is a pretty popular embroidery stitch. It's perfect, of course, for flowers, but can be used in lots of different ways. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.