Sewing

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...

Sewing with sheer fabrics requires a little more preparation and care than sewing with sturdier fabrics, but the results are well worth it. Sheer fabrics add sophistication and femininity to your...

There are a variety of sewing adhesives on the market used for an even greater variety of applications. Some adhesives are designed for light hold prior to the final stitching or embroidery of a...

Lycra fabrics are commonly used for swimwear and leotards; however, it is common to find some percentage of Lycra added to other knits for comfort and stretch. Sewing fabrics like Lycra on...

Fabric shades are a great way to add interest to your windows. When you make your own fabric shades, you can choose fabrics and textures that complement your decor, and you can even make a...

The term "upholstery material" encompasses a wide range of medium- to heavyweight fabrics intended for covering entire chairs and sofas as well as smaller pieces such as footstools, accent pillows...

Chenille rotary cutter techniques can allow you to create chenille fabrics in any color or pattern you desire. While making chenille is a rather time consuming process, it is an excellent way to...

Window treatments provide a creative finishing touch to a room. They highlight a room's personality. You can increase a room's formal appeal with Roman shades or draperies or keep the theme casual...

Roman shades are window coverings that add a touch of sophistication to a room. They help control light and privacy and also help reduce your heating and cooling bills. Unlike curtains and...

Buy fabric with a little knowledge. There is nothing that will help more in your sewing or crafts projects than to understand fabrics and know what you are buying. Fabric comes from all over the...

Wooden stools are inexpensive and convenient for kitchen seating, but can be uncomfortable without any padding or cushioning. Stool cushions are simple to make and it only takes an afternoon to...

This polar fleecy pillow is easy to put together, is a comfortable pillow on which to lay your head and makes a fine set when the pillow is coordinated with the fringed fleecy blanket. Drape the...

When you make your own banded shower curtain, you'll have the freedom to mix solids and patterns, join a bright color to a neutral or use two shades of the same color. Whatever fabrics you decide...

Those giant ribbons that you see tied around trees or tied in bows around cars outside are available from specialty suppliers---and they are expensive. Instead of spending a ton of cash, make your...

Grandma's old quilt need not be relegated to the linen closet or the cedar chest because of discoloration, musty scents or damage. Most old quilts were sewn from all-cotton fabrics that tend to...

You can make medieval dresses that are historically in period, attractive and comfortable for costume parties, theatrical costumes, or historical re-enactment events. Fortunately, most medieval...

Knowing a few quick curtain making tips can make the sewing process run smoothly and even decrease the amount of time it takes you to make the curtains. Sheers are a quick way to cover a window...

Denim is known worldwide for its fit, ease and durability. As one of the few fabrics in the world that is used in both high fashion and work-a-day apparel, common denim is a quintessentially...

Gaiters, or spats, serve to cover boots from the upper calf through the arch of the foot. They can be purely fashionable or protect the foot from debris, snakebites and other hazards, depending...

Fabrics that stretch are terrific to wear because of that little extra give needed for comfort. However, when the seams are too tight, threads can be broken just from normal wear. Homemade...

Using the wrong needle in your sewing machine is a common cause of stitch-related issues. Not only can the incorrect needle size or type produce poor-quality seams and decorative stitches, but it...

Wool a warm versatile fabric compared with Polar Fleece a warm soft fabric. Both fabrics keep you warm and dry. Polar Fleece is the newer and easier to care for fabric. Both fabrics have many...

The 1970s said farewell to styles made popular by the hippie movement and hello to the age of disco. Styles, cuts and fabrics of the 1970s made the look unique, and many people want to wear a...

Sewing machine needles are numbered according to the fabrics for which they should be used, from 8 (60 European) for the lightest fabrics to 18 (110 European) for the heaviest. Your sewing-machine...

Freshen up a living room, den or favorite nook with a new sofa covering. Cover ideas don't have to take long to make--a day's effort may be all that is needed for the stitching. Reusing fabrics,...

Skipped stitches not only look shoddy when used as decorative topstitching on a sewn item, they also affect the quality of the seam holding the garment together. Gaps where stitches should be are...

Sheer fabric can be tough to work with. Some sheer fabric is slippery, and all sheer fabric can tear easily if handled too roughly. Sheer fabric may fray easier than other types of fabric,...

Shabby Chic is a decorating style that was pioneered by Rachel Ashwell in the late '80s--and the lived-in, on and around look continues to be a favorite for many. Inspired by the worn look common...

If you happen to be headed to Hawaii, or just a summer beach party, a Hawaiian dress is festive and can double as a summertime bathing suit cover-up. There are two basic Hawaiian dresses, the...

A twin needle sewing machine is a useful addition to any sewing room. Most zigzag sewing machines can use a twin needle with only a few simple adjustments. You may even be able to use a twin...

If you’re interested in “wearing your baby”, you’ve probably looked into baby wraps. These are long strips of breathable cotton or cotton blends that have a small amount of give. Commercial...

Quilted postcards are a creative way to use leftover fabrics and showcase your sewing talent in a useful form. Sewing on postcards is simple to do and offers countless choices for creative...

Cotton press cloths are a common tool used in sewing and garment construction and are useful to have in your sewing room or ironing area. The press cloth comes in handy when your closet contains...

Making your own fabric purse is an enjoyable process that allows you free reign over the elements of style and form. You can use ready-made objects to simplify the process, or start sewing from...

Drapery sheers are made from unlined fabrics that have a transparent appearance. The sheer quality of these fabrics comes from being knit or woven from fine, thin threads, and/or with an open,...

As with many other hobbies, an organized work area around your sewing machine is essential for sewing projects. There are so many different materials one uses, it is necessary to divide them into...

Whether you are just getting started with machine embroidery or are an old pro, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get professional looking results every time. Most of these tips...

Machine embroidery is a hobby that is relatively easy to get started with but harder to perfect. It will take practice to get your embroidery looking professional every time, but with the right...

If you have to sew stretchy, sticky and slippery fabrics together, using a walking foot is going to give you the very best results. But for those on a budget who don't want to fork over the 30 or...

The very first sewing needles were made of wood or bone. A sewing needle is generally long and slender with a pointed tip and an eye for thread to be put through. Sewing needles come in different...

Designing purses allows you to customize your handbag for your personal style and needs. Purses are made of basic, geometric shapes, making them an easy option for from scratch sewing. You will...

Sergers are special sewing machines that allow you to sew a seam, trim the seam allowance and finish the edges all in one step. They may look complicated, with their several spools of thread and...

Fabric weaves are the ways in which different fabrics are manufactured. There are many different types of fabric weaves for different purposes. Fabric weaves can determine the durability of your...

Wool fabric is woven from the yarn made from the hair of animals, such as sheep. Environmentally friendly, wool is an organic fabric that has been used for clothing and blankets for thousands of...

With the cost of living rising, it is important to cut your heating and cooling bills as much as possible. This can be accomplished in part by using insulated drapes. By hanging these drapes, your...

If you live in or near, or visit Dallas, Texas, and love fabric, it's time to put away those 40% off coupons. You're about to embark on a real adventure in shopping for fabric, trim, buttons,...

Dobby cloth includes a wide variety of fabrics that look and feel very different from each other, but they all use a dobby weave that gives the cloth texture. Shoppers may see dobby cloth...

Chemo scarves allow patients undergoing chemo a comfortable and easy to wear option to cover hair loss. Wigs can be hot and itchy, so many women opt for hats and scarves. If you are looking for a...

Whether you stitch by hand or machine, you need to stock up on sewing needles. However, choosing the right needles can be confusing if you don't know which ones to buy. Because sewing needles come...

Treat your latest sewing project with the utmost care by selecting the correct size needle. Woven fabrics have different weaves and densities, and there's a needle for every type. The wrong needle...