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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Horseback riding can be an expensive sport. Each piece of equipment and each item of clothing can add up to a fortune. It can get especially pricey when you have a young rider, who is constantly...

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...

Bonnets have a long history. Originally, exclusively male and worn by priests, kings and nobles, bonnets, also known as caps, were large, flat and often made of felted wool. Their construction...

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,...

Golf head covers can be made at home for a fraction of the cost of expensive purchased covers. Sewing versatile covers that can work for putters and irons will save money and time when it comes to...

Making headbands is an easy, enjoyable craft. The best part is that the final product is something you can actually use. Headbands are wonderful, because they work with hair of any length, and...

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...

Headbands and scrunchies are two of the most useful hair accessories. They keep your hair out of your face, while still looking stylish. You can buy any number of different headbands and...

Lining your cafe curtains can create a neat and regular appearance from the outside of your home, as well as providing additional privacy and light control. Lined curtains hang well and have a bit...

Flaxseed eye pillows are herbal pillows that are known to reduce tension around the eyes, help you relax, reduce stress and allow you to unwind any time of the day. They block out sunlight and add...

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...

Roman blinds offer you the ability to filter or block sunlight without completely closing off the window. A blind window treatment provides you with clean lines and a sophisticated style. You can...

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...

Whether you are sewing patches onto clothing for decorative or practical purposes, the process can be done cleanly and securely with your sewing machine. A free-arm feature on a sewing machine is...

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...

Making your own bunting doll is a simple, quick and rewarding craft for both collectors and children alike. These cuddly dolls do not have small pieces and are thus safe for children of all ages....

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 toddler pillow can be useful and comforting for a toddler both at home and occasions away from home when the toddler must sleep. Toddler pillows are smaller than adult pillows, which makes them...

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...