Sewing

If you sew, you know that patterns are made to fit ideal bodies--but how many of us have the ideal body? That is where fitting shells come in--fitting shells are the basic shape of a pattern, and...

If you have a fresh tree for Christmas, you can keep that pine tree scent alive in your home past the holiday season. With a few simple materials and a little time before you recycle your...

Camo is a very popular pattern for clothing. The camo pattern is available in a vast number of colors, shades and hues. The most common are the hunter camo and the military camo; however, the camo...

Throughout history, women have adorned themselves with hats that feature flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors. Fortunately, while hats may have grown less fashionable in recent decades, there...

Making life-sized dolls from your child's outline is a fun project. Rag dolls have been sewn for centuries as playthings for children. Dolls encourage parenting skills and pretend play. A simple...

Backtab curtains provide the home with a modern look. They give the added dimension of pleats without having to use hook hangers. The tabs are in the back, which provides the user the option of...

Got an old card table that's still pretty sturdy and serviceable, but has a cracked or worn top? Make an easy card table cover from any fabric or felt that will ensure that your standard size (34...

Smocking pillows will give a plain piece of fabric some dimension and can be used in the bedroom or living room. Smocked pillows look good displayed alone, in a group of other smocked pillows or...

Metal folding chairs are inexpensive and utilitarian, but they're not very attractive. One way to dress them up for a party or wedding is to cover them with an attractive slipcover. When made with...

One of the most difficult things about learning to use a sewing machine is getting the basic machine functions down. One that many beginners struggle with is putting thread on the bobbin, which is...

The cloche hat gets its name from the French word for bell. Its design is credited to the French milliner, Caroline Reboux. Different techniques can be used to make a cloche hat: felting (shaping...

Outfitting a king-size bed can be an expensive undertaking for your household budget. Economizing by sewing your own bed shams is a good way to shave a significant portion of the expense. Shams...

You can buy fleece hats in almost any retailer during the winter season. Bright prints and cozy warmth make these hats an ideal winter accessory. Yet you don't have to go to the expense of...

Hanging storage pockets are a convenient method of storage for household items, office supplies, toys and assorted other objects. Making a hanging storage unit with three pockets from canvas,...

Credit cards can easily slip out of wallets and purses. This versatile, handmade secure sleeve fits into a regular wallet or purse and prevents slipping. Use a plain material for a professional...

Neoprene is a rubbery material that is used in many commercial items such as sporting goods, mouse pads, laptop cases and scuba gear. It can be used for a variety of other uses as well. However,...

Digitizing is the process of converting a digital image into a format that an embroidery machine can read and stitch out. Digitizing can also be referred to as "punching," and requires special...

A beach towel wrap is a fun and stylish way to cover up at the beach or pool after a swim. With hook-and-loop fasteners to keep the wrap in place and elastic to ensure a perfect fit, this project...

A shower curtain valance is a decorative way to hide the shower curtain rod. The shower valance will also give the bathroom a dressy look with its added layers. Adding the valance to the top of...

Whether it's for necessity or for a hobby, sewing is one of those things done in nearly every home. To make sure you are up for the task, outfit your sewing box with the proper and most basic...

Anyone who uses a walker can appreciate having a place to carry things while walking, as use of a walker requires both hands. Walker bags are easy to sew, even for inexperienced or beginning...

Custom-embroidered towels are a wonderful gift for any occasion. Whether preparing Christmas presents or a special "His and Her" set for newlyweds, embroidery offers a special touch otherwise...

Metal washers make excellent bases for homemade, fabric-covered buttons. Covering washers in fabric is easy and quick, and the resulting fabric-covered buttons can add new life to an old cardigan....

Make your own custom valance for a look that is tailored and unique. The pleated valance can be designed with the fabric and colors to suit your own tastes. Valances can be used alone or as a...

Hooded towels are a fun and stylish way to dry off and cover up after a swim or bath. Towels can be easily personalized to make a great gift for children of all ages. Using supplies you already...

Eyelets are small, round rings, usually made of metal, that reinforce the edges of circular holes in material. These holes are useful for laces and ties. On some pairs of lace-up sneakers, eyelets...

How to make a cute, inexpensive toy for your infant or toddler. These are cotton stuffed square blocks that have a rattle inside and tags made of ribbon on the outside for the infant to play with.

Tube top shirts can cost a lot of money at a store despite being made out of a small amount of fabric. If you have a simple knowledge of sewing, you can make your own tube tops at home for a...

Many projects call for a vinyl lining or a clear vinyl layer sewn on top or beneath fabric. Sewing vinyl onto fabric is a moderately challenging sewing project involving careful planning and the...

Since the invention of vinyl in the 1920s, this amazing material has been used for and in the manufacture of countless products. From tablecloths to clothing, vinyl protects and offers...

Kenmore sewing machines are made by Sears. The brand name "Kenmore" made its inaugural appearance in the 1913 Fall Sears catalog in the form of a four-drawer, drop-head sewing machine.

Doorstops are small, utilitarian items that are often overlooked when we set about decorating our living spaces. Doorstops prop a door open to prevent a breeze from slamming it shut. We might use...

Sinamay is a somewhat new material that is becoming increasingly popular because unlike the other established millinery (hat) materials such as straws and felts, sinamay is light, flexible and...

Cotton voile (pronounced "foil") is a versatile fabric for both clothing and home decor. It is lightweight and sheer, and drapes in delicate folds.

Quilted curtain panels can help you live a greener and more economical life by insulating your windows naturally. The quilting pattern creates a textured look, and the layers of fabric and batting...

A pioneer bonnet is a delightful addition to a little girl's dress-up box, a useful costume option for school plays, and even practical sun protection. If you have a young fan of the Laura Ingalls...

Waistband casings, most often used on sweatpants, skirts or other bottoms made from stretchy materials, are created to contain an elastic waistband. These casings, made from the same fabric as the...

Tablecloths are easy to make and can be created in less time than it takes to pick out material. Take advantage of their easy construction and make a tablecloth for every occasion, every season...

Sagging and worn sofa pillows can make your home look uninviting. Sofa and couch pillows are so versatile that we keep using them year after year, but the foam filling in some pillows can break...

Are you thinking about making a baby blanket or maybe trying to repair an old blanket? Most babies enjoy holding and playing with the satin binding on their blankets. Some babies enjoy playing...

The same heat that makes curling irons so effective at styling hair also makes it difficult to put them away after use. You have to wait for the iron to cool off before you store it. Often this...

Making a felt tricorn hat for a pirate or 18th century costume will add authenticity to the look. The basic design is easy to make using a felt hat blank (a simple felt hat that can be shaped in...

Featherweight sewing machines, or the Singer 221, are a favorite with quilters, seamstresses, and anyone who might want a reliable straight stitch machine in a small, portable, and charming...

Finding furniture designed for people who enjoy sewing, quilting, embroidering and other fabric crafts can be a challenge. Several companies make desks and storage cabinets, but these pieces are...

Quilting is a time-honored craft that requires skill, patience, creative ideas and lots of fabrics. Throughout history, frugal quilt makers have repurposed clothing, feed sacks and any other woven...

Swedish weaving, also know as huck embroidery, is an embellishment technique used to create designs on a woven cloth background. Huck embroidery gained popularity in the United States in the 1930s...

Do your child's stuffed animals pile up on the bed and tumble over the edges onto the floor? Is your own stuffed animal collection taking over the shelf and dresser top space in your bedroom? A...

It is hard to play pool and win if you are playing with a damaged pool cue. Pool cues that are used only in one place would be mounted on a wall rack, but if you are going to be taking your pool...

If you are looking for a way to decorate your home, consider making outdoor ribbon flowers. Ribbon flowers give the appearance of being real outdoor flowers from far away, but once you examine the...

Have you ever wanted to buy little pillows to decorate your house but find that they cost too much? Well, you can make them for a lot less! You don't need that many materials.