Needle-and-thread-in

Watch closet and fashion guru Barbra Horowits, author of Closet Control, demonstrate how to take an oversized t-shirt and sew a fitted, hip, and sexy shirt. It's so easy, anyone can do it. You can use left over scraps to create a sexy open weave along the sides of the shirt th ...more

In this video, we learn how to tie off when sewing by hand. First you want to sew your fabric and complete your desired project. Next, you will push the needle into the bottom of the fabric where you won't be able to see the tie off from the front. Now, loop the thread and pus ...more

Here's a video tutorial from Needle 'n Thread for a rose bud made out of bullion knots. The bullion knot can be used to make beautiful roses and rose buds, and, believe it or not, they're actually really simple to make once you get the hang of it! Video: .

Want to make a plushie, but you're all thumbs when it comes to sewing? Don't worry, you can still make a little stuffed friend without a needle and thread. You will need felt, scissors, a hot glue gun, cotton stuffing, and a fabric marker. Watch this video tutorial and learn h ...more

This video fashion design tutorial by Adrianne Lee will show you how to turn a simple t-shirt into a fabulous corset tank, and scrap fabrics into quirky brooches! Very Easy! You'll need a t-shirt, scissors, measuring tape or ruler, sewing machine or needle and thread, scrap fa ...more

Upcycling a too large t-shirt doesn't require that you have a degree from a fashion college or are an expert with the needle and thread. In fact, you don't need any needle at all to create the t-shirt project presented in this video. All you need to do is pick up a pair of sci ...more

Couching is another easy embroidery stitch in hand embroidery, and a great way to create decorative line stitches that scroll and twirl about. It's also widely used for filling areas, and historically was used to great effect during the Middle Ages and Renaissance in a techniq ...more

The feather stitch is an easy stitch for hand embroidery. It's worked vertically, from top to bottom in a kind of back-and-forth, right-and-left motion. You can use the feather stitch in hand embroidery for edges and borders, it's used often in crazy quilting as a seam embelli ...more

Ladder stitch in hand embroidery can be one of two stitches. There's the surface embroidery technique that creates a decorative band that looks a lot like a ladder, with edges that look like a chain stitch. There's also a drawn thread technique called ladder stitch that produc ...more

Most people think that you have to be a whiz with the needle and thread as well as proficient on the sewing machine in order to make or tailor your own clothing. But the truth is that for easy modifications, like turning an old t-shirt into a modified, chic top, all you need i ...more

The rope stitch is a nice hand embroidery stitch, perfect for a thick, corded look, and a member (believe it or not) of the chain stitch family. It looks like overcast stitch on a slant, or trailing on a slant. It's a great stitch for curves. Watch this video from Needle 'n Th ...more

Here's a couple video tutorials from Needle 'n Thread for a basic hand embroidery stitch - the outline stitch. It's another versatile, easy stitch! Video: . Video: .

In this video we learn how to make a dress out of an old flannel & t-shirt. First, measure your body on the bust. Then, take an old shirt and mark the measurement on there. Then, cut where you marked the shirt leaving 1/2" extra. After this, attach the top of the dress to the ...more

John Hunt demonstrates how to do Cross Stitch that is used on steering wheel covers in this video. He takes a piece of dowel and wraps it with pre-glued leather. Next he threads two needles with cotton thread that has been pulled through bees wax so they stay in the leather be ...more

The stem stitch is a versatile embroidery stitch. It can be used to outline or to fill an area. Learn how to do it yourself with this video from Needle 'n Thread. Video: .

Watch this instructional knitting video to attach a single crocheted half circle ear flap to a single crocheted baby beanie. Use a tapestry needle to thread some yarn. This same process can be applied to adult caps and hats. Just use a larger needle and thicker yarn. It's easy ...more

Another simple hand-embroidery stitch, the backstitch is useful in many applications. It's commonly seen in counted-thread embroidery, like counted cross stitch, but it's also used often in free-style surface embroidery. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's d ...more

The buttonhole stitch is used in many types of hand embroidery - general surface embroidery, crazy quilting, whitework and cutwork, Mountmellick embroidery, needle lace, filet work - you name it, buttonhole stitch fits in somehow. It's a super versatile stitch, and once you ha ...more

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. Danish woven hearts are part of every kid's childhood (or they should be). When weaving, your hearts ripped as you wove or ...more

This quick tutorial video will show you how to thread an industrial sewing machine. Follow these quick steps to thread an industrial sewing machine: Wind the bobbin thread and pace the bobbin in the bobbin case. Pull out 4" of thread and place the bobbin case in the hook. Now ...more

You don't need to be a Martha Stewart with the needle and thread to create cool, impressive clothing. In fact, you often don't need a needle and thread at all to upcycle your old, tired clothes. Next time, instead of throwing away your old sweater, why not make it edgier and ...more

Make a book using the five-hole pamphlet stitch with tips from this how-to video on wonderhowto.com. To make your book using the five-hole pamphlet stitch, you will need: paper, a bonefolder, and awl, and a needle and thread (what do you know?!)

The spider web stitch and the ribbed spider web stitch are both "woven" embroidery stitches, either used as isolated accents or used in clusters. They aren't a line stitch or a filling stitch, and they aren't really a "small" detached stitch that can speckle a background light ...more

The French knot is used often in hand-embroidery, but a lot of people avoid it, because it intimidates them. Once you work one correctly, you'll find that it's really easy!!! Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done. Video: .

Ditch the needle and thread, enjoy a fun family project, and give your little crusader the ultimate crime-fighting tool. Learn how to make a no-sew superhero cape. You will need: a ruler a tape measure fabric pins several sheets of newspaper tape fabric scissors a marker 1 y ...more

Poison Ivy is a villainess in the Batman comic books, a seductive femme fatale with poisonous blood and the ability to control plants. She makes excellent inspiration for a Halloween costume. Make you sexier and more beautiful. Hair: Poison Ivy is portrayed as a beautiful redh ...more

Of all the hand embroidery stitches that exist, one of the most beautiful, when done well, is the satin stitch. It does take a little practice to get the hang of satin stitching, and it is true that it is not a very "forgiving" stitch. Watch the video from Needle 'n Thread to ...more

Lattice work is used as filling or for backgrounds. Worked on a plain ground (with only the fabric behind the lattice stitches) it can be easily managed by beginners. Adding a colored background (for example, a background worked in satin stitch) kicks the stitch up a notch to ...more

As you'll see in this video tutorial (from Needle 'n Thread), the fishbone stitch is an easy embroidery stitch to use for filling in leaves (and other shapes, too). The stitch is a good stepping-stone to satin stitch, as it requires you to keep a neat edge on the outside of yo ...more

There are many dimensional embroidery stitches , but one of the most fun is the woven picot. You can do a lot with it! It's an easy embroidery stitch - it looks more advanced than it actually is! It's a great stitch for adding texture to your embroidery project, and it doesn't ...more

Repurpose a pair of denim shorts into a fun and cute messenger bag! You'll need a pair of denim shorts (or jeans), scissors, needle and thread, straight pins, pliers, chains, your favorite vintage brooches or buttons, and a length of Velcro.

Nothing ruins a cute outfit quicker than a visible bra strap or a slipping tank top. This quick video from CyberSeams offers tips on how to keep those annoying straps in place. You will need ribbon or twill tape, Fray Check, snaps, a sewing needle and thread. You are instructe ...more

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. Video: .

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. Video: .

There are many variations on the chain stitch used in hand embroidery. Here's one that produces a "realistic-looking" chain, with a small link between each of the loops in the chain stitch. It's called the cable chain stitch. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how i ...more

Don't wait for a full moon to unleash your inner beast. Get your growl on with these tips on creating the ultimate werewolf mask. You Will Need * Petroleum jelly or lotion * A wig cap * Gauze suitable for plaster work * Plaster * Hot glue * A small sheet of craft foam, cut int ...more

Becca from Amazing Paper Grace demonstrates how to make crepe paper flowers. The supplies needed are a roll of crepe paper, scissors, a ruler, and a sewing machine or needle and thread. Measure a yard of crepe paper and trim it narrower if you want a smaller flower. Use the se ...more

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. Video: .

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. You Will Need * Time * A crafts store * Money * A needle and thread * And artistic flair * Battery-operated lights Step ...more

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 ...more

Even count flay peyote is the easiest off loom beading stitch to learn. This video beading tutorial shows how to weave the even count peyote pattern. All you need is beads, a needle, and thread, and start making peyote patterned woven bead jewelry in no time.

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.

In order to pattern a wool blanket shirt, you'll need a blanket, scissors, a needle, and thread. Lay your blanket out on the floor. Fold it over at 2/3 of the way. Lay down on the blanket, in order to decide how long you would like your shirt to be. Then, make adjustment to i ...more

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. Video: .

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 ...more

First of all, yes, we are serious. This entire costume - the dress, at least - can be made for about a buck. And that dollar is the cost of the red fabric. Other than that, all you need is a little needle and thread and you're good to go. If you're handy with the needle and a ...more

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.

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 give ...more

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 acc ...more

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! ...more