Sewing

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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

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...

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...

The tea cozy has been around since tea began to gain popularity in the 1600s. The tea cozy serves two purposes. Not only does it serve to keep the tea pot and the tea inside it warm, is can be a...

A sun umbrella, also known as a parasol, is used to keep the sun off the face. It can also be used as a purely decorative accessory, as evidenced by the lacy parasols used by historical costumers,...

Making your own bra will save you hours of searching for a commercially made bra that fits correctly. It will also save you money. Although sewing your own bra can be rewarding, achieving a...

For centuries, women have adorned their hats with pretty flowers made of paper or fabric. Collectors are rediscovering the beauty of vintage millinery flowers. Making these flowers isn't difficult...

Sewing a child's apron is an easy craft project that requires only basic sewing skills. An old-fashioned waist apron with a ruffled edge has a charming, vintage look, and would be an excellent...

The waist and shoulder straps on a backpack are more likely to break or pull out of the seam since these are the points on a backpack where more weight is beared. As long as you have access to a...

The chef is instantly recognizable by the distinctive hat he wears in the kitchen, the height offering the wearer distinction and authority. It is no wonder that any aspiring chef would like a...

Store-purchased tassels can be an incredibly expensive accessory for the projects you are working on. It also can be difficult to find tassels that are the correct size and color match to the...

With so many different cold and flu germs around the average day care center, parents are smart to do anything they can to minimize their child's chances of picking up germs from their friends....

Improve the look of lamp, computer and even chandelier cords with easy-to-make silk cord covers. You can sew these easy covers in just a few minutes and hide those unsightly cords. Larger cord...

Pillow stuffing doesn't always have to be purchased in the store. Decorative pillows in particular can be stuffed with a variety of recycled materials enabling the crafter to both create a...

Sew fabric gift bags from scraps for a recycle crafts project. Kids just love to have a bag to put their little items in--even boys like a fabric gift bag. Gift bags are so easy to make, you can...

You can sew a changing table cover, whether the pad is flat or contoured, using just two pieces of fabric. A simple pillowcase-type cover with an opening will slip off easily for laundering, but...

A simple baby toque made out of knit fabric or polar fleece is comfortable, warm and cozy for babies. New parents can never have enough tiny hats, especially for a winter newborn. Make these easy...

Both adults and kids can spruce up ordinary or faded sweatpants by customizing them to express the wearer's personality. Using up any decorative accessories around the house, such as loose shirt...

Western Christmas ornaments and cowboy stockings are great fun for a Southwest theme Christmas. The cowboy western or Southwest Christmas theme is common in Texas where we live, and you might...

Balloon shades are a window treatment that adds dimension to a room. The gathers of fabric can be raised or lowered to allow more or less light in the room. The fabric designs are generally soft...

The uses for a simple stuff sack are endless. Stuff sacks aren't limited to backpacking. Younger kids can use them for sleepovers and college kids can stuff them full of laundry. Stuff sacks also...

Making your own iron-on fabric transfers is simple to do and requires no special equipment or art skills. You can create colorful iron-on shapes to decorate any fabric item, such as clothing,...

Pinch pleat curtains can be made with or without lining. Lining is useful for rooms with windows that face the street or are close to a neighbor's window. Lining also keeps harsh sunlight out of a...

Singer sewing machines are one of the most commonly found machines for the home seamstress. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to run. They do have some common repairs that occur over their...

If you are looking for a simple gift to sew, try making your own wine glass coaster cozies as an easy hostess gift or for personal use. The coasters prevent glass ring stains and drips and make it...

Heating pads serve a number of uses, including easing away the ache of sore muscles or soothing stress tension. While a bevy of different heating pads are available to the consumer in the...

Whether worn as formal attire or casual dress, many men enjoy the style and comfort of kilts. Because kilts use up to 9 yards of material, accurate measurements must be taken to provide a correct...

A stitch regulator is a tool used in quilting to ensure even and accurate stitches. While many quilters are accustomed to making the stitches without the aid and guidance of a machine, this modern...

Sergers make sewing garments or home decor projects faster because they sew the seam and finish the edge in one step. A serger speeds up sewing but cannot perform some functions of a regular...

Sewing is a craft that children can easily learn and once they have, they can spend hours making themselves and their families beautiful gifts to cherish forever.

Scrapbookers are probably the most familiar with tear bears, which are little paper bears used as page markers in scrapbooks. They can also be used for bookmarks or for bulletin board decorations....

Breast cancer is deadly disease that has claimed many of our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends. To show a sign of support and hope, breast cancer buttons have become very popular....

Beading needles are perfect when you need to use a thick string or thread on a project. The eye is larger than that of a traditional needle and can accommodate larger strings. While they can...

Pillows add interest and dimension to your living room couch, chairs or bedroom. Decorative pillows can be created in a variety of styles that range from plain fabric, to ruffled edges and...

Many of us have sewing machines capable of creating decorative stitches. In fact, machines with a variety of stitch possibilities have been manufactured since the 1950s. Learning to use decorative...

Blackout fabric is used primarily to block light. It is a lining fabric, used along with another fabric to form draperies, curtains or other window treatments. Blackout fabric can also provide...

As lovely as it feels to snuggle up in a warm blanket on a cool evening, it can be difficult to situate a blanket so that your hands are free to read, sew, type or flip the channels. A fleece wrap...