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
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
The Mad Hatter from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland not only makes a great costume but a great project. The hour-glass shaped hat, the striped pants, the fingerless gloves, and the Hatter's signature scarf are the most important components in this costume. If you're fairly sk ...more
Using a sewing machine entails knowing how to fill a bobbin with thread properly. This sewing how to video will show you how to fill a bobbin on a vintage Kenmore sewing machine. Happy sewing!
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to turn a t-shirt into a pillowcase. The materials required for this project are: a pillow, a shirt (that fits over the pillow), pin, needle, thread, decorative trim and a sewing machine. Begin by flipping the shirt inside out and slip ...more
If you're looking for a solution to keeping your books open during a read, you might have considered using a book weight. In this video tutorial, the author will be showing you how to make your very own homemade book weight using a few inexpensive house hold products. The enti ...more
Love the look of vintage? You don't have continuously prowl vintage stores - make your own inspired skirt! All you need is your favorite fabric and a few sewing notions (matching thread, scissors, pins, and of course, a sewing machine).
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
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 ...more
A zipper may look intimidating, but it's really not. This tutorial shows you an easy and quick way to sew a zipper. You will need a zipper, straight pins, matching thread, scissors, your sewing project and a special zipper foot for your sewing machine.
In this 3-part video, Chris White shows you how you can take an old pair of boxer briefs, make a pattern for new boxer briefs, and then create an entirely new one. You'll need some tools, and materials, including elastic, sewing machine with zigzag, serger, stretch fabric, pat ...more
If you've been looking for a sexy contemporary video game character to cosplay or dress as for Halloween, consider Altair from Assassin's Creed. He's sexy, distinctive, and armed with this video you'll be well on your way to having sewed the costume yourself. Specifically, thi ...more
Make a creative and fun felted cuff bracelet! This could be a difficult task for beginners, but overall it's an easy craft. You'll need a needle felting machine for this though, which means you might have to hunt one down or improvise. Watch and learn how to use the needle fel ...more
Inspired by Susan Hilferty's Elphaba costume, Corinne and Rob from Threadbanger show you how to make a fantastic wicked witch ensemble in this how-to video. You'll need two spools of thread, an old black button-up shirt, interfacing, an old black dress, scrap velvet, and a sew ...more
The Button Flower Quilt pattern was designed in the spirit of the American Arts and Crafts movement of the early 1900's. In this episode of Designing by Thread, Terry shows simple techniques for machine applique and strip piecing Part 1 of 2 - How to Machine applique and strip ...more
Recently I've been interested in spicing up my choices in undergarments, but as some of you may know, designer underwear for men can be quite expensive. Prices usually range from about $20+ for one pair. With this helpful tip, you can turn any pair of cheap high rise briefs in ...more
In order to make a large hair bow, you will need the following: a headband, fabric, thread, scissors, thread, and a needle. This can be sewn by hand or with a sewing machine. You will be using a straight stitch for this. Cut your fabric to the size that you would like at a 1 ...more
In this video series, watch as expert seamstress Karen Weisman teaches how to mend, patch, and hem clothes. Learn how to replace a button, how to thread a needle, how to use a sewing machine to fix buttons, how to remove old buttons from clothing, how to use a hand sewn blind ...more
Tutus are not just for ballerinas anymore! Anyone who feels like twirling, dancing or just running around with a little extra poof can wear one! Follow this tutorial and make a tutu for yourself, your daughter or anyone else looking for a little fluff! You Will Need • Measuri ...more
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.
To use an applique foot for a sewing machine, select zigzag stitch with very short stitch length 0.30 to 1, width of 1.5 - 4.0. Loosen tension to about 3. Transfer pattern to paper side of fusible backing. Mirror all letters or numbers. Iron fusible backing onto applique mater ...more
In this video series, Carolyn Saylors is going to show you a quick and easy way to make a simple pillow. In the first video she's going to show you some of the things that you need: fabric, thread, ruler, scissors and also an old newspaper, marker, pen, crayon and the stuffing ...more
Using dry beans and and some scraps of cotton fabric, you can make your own DIY microwavable heat pack which can be used to relieve sore muscles, warm your hands when stepping outside into cold weather, heating up your pillow case on a freezing night, and more. In lieu of dry ...more
You know Moana's a rock-solid pick for Halloween this year. The question is, how far will you go to become Moana? Are you going to just slap on a cream skirt and a red bandeau? Or do you want to go all out and end up with the finished product like YouTuber Gladzy Kei did? Alre ...more
It's really no wonder why Christmas is the most popular and widely celebrated holiday of the year. Your whole family gets a chance to spend some much needed quality time together—and not just gorging on food like at Thanksgiving. But in all seriousness, that's not the reason a ...more
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 c ...more
Video: . Whether you are gardening, cooking, riding a motorcycle or just want to cover up on a bad hair day, doo rags are easy to make and fun to personalize to suit to your style. If you would rather just download the durag pattern click here. You will need: Big enough pape ...more
From sewing machine to scroll saw, check out Instructables member bongodrummer's in depth HowTo. Says bongodrummer, "...Old sewing machines, that are actually really rather well made, are often thrown out by people who do not have the time or inclination to use or maintain t ...more
Not sure what to do with your bobbin? Check out this video to learn some sewing tips
Tracie Cunniliers demonstrates how to wind a bobbin and thread the needle using an automatic needle threader in 'Elna 2800'.To wind a bobbin, place a spool of thread on the holder. Place a thread holder next to the spool of thread. Take the end of the thread and wind it around ...more
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
Homer Simpson would have an absolute fit over this delicious-looking kawaii donut pillow. Embellished with a thick layer of strawberry frosting and then topped lightly with candy-colored sprinkles, this pretty donut looks almost good enough to eat. While you can purchase this ...more
Thread banger, Kenneth King shows you how to save your good fabric scissors by using thread snips, a simple but important tool you must always have in your sewing workshop. Thread snips are small pairs of scissors that are specifically used for trimming off any excess thread i ...more
This video demonstrates how to sew a blind hem stitch to make Roman shades. This stitch is very easy to do. You need a sewing machine that has a blind hem stitch already programmed in it and a blind hem foot. The video shows two different kinds of blind hem foot for two differ ...more
Nothing sucks more than when you discover your thread is feeding incorrectly, or your machine just isn't working properly. It's good practice to take your machine apart at least once a year. Clean out all the lint, and add a few drops of machine oil to any moving part. If yo ...more
Thread Banger and their friends at Ruffeo Hearts Lil Snotty show us how to transform our old backpack into a now hip (yes, they're hip again) fanny pack in just under two hours. With a disposable backpack, pattern weights, marking chalk, a zipper, seam ripper, scissors, a buck ...more
With a little practice a cushion cover can be made at home easily. The materials/equipments required are as follows: fabric of your choice (having appropriate dimensions) to make the cover, scissors, measuring tape and ruler, needles, threads, sewing machine and an iron. The ...more
In this video we are shown how easy it is to complete the finishing join on a quilt binding. Just before the final join 6 inches of binding should be left over at the beginning and the end, while the rest of the binging should already be sewn down. The two ends of the binding ...more
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. You Will Need * A sewing class * A budget Step 1: Check out machines at local shop Visit your local sewing or fabr ...more
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; tu ...more
Ready to try and sew-in your own weave? It's a big decision. As with everything that concerns our hair, we struggle with the pros and cons and often dwell on what could go wrong. Pixie cut. Perm or not? New shade (of pink, purple, or blue). These are all major decisions becaus ...more
Label Profile: Night-People [Night-People founder Shawn Reed, playing live in Montreal as Wet Hair] By Jenn Pelly MP3: Ela Orleans: "I Know" MP3: Cellophane Spill: "Zaj Mak Ta" If you really want to get inside the mind of Night-People founder Shawn Reed, start with his we ...more
Un-dull your crocheted sweater with a little creativity. Adding some decorative details and features to your clothing will do wonders for fashion, and could hide unsightly holes! Embellishing with crochet can be a creative way to repair a piece of clothing, and it can add flai ...more
In this video clip series full of instructions and advice for sewing and using a Serger, you will learn how to use the controls, the parts of the machine, threading techniques and much more. Part 1 of 15 - How to Use a Serger sewing machine. Use a Serger sewing machine - Part ...more
In the past few weeks, you've already learned how to make your bike light up at night with some DIY rim lights and handlebar lights. But how about something a little more functional? Instead of using those tedious hand signals (which drivers don't even understand), spruce up y ...more
We see Steampunk props all the time and wonder where the maker found all their pieces. In fact, for some people it's almost like a game to examine each prop and see if they can name all of the original parts. However, for a newcomer (or a novice at prop-making), it may be rea ...more