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...

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....

You've found a really beautiful dress pattern you want to buy but, according to the size chart, it will not accommodate your bust size. Instead of putting the pattern back in the drawer, set it...

Invisible zippers create subtle closures for dresses, dress pants, and skirts. While not truly invisible, they are hardly noticeable on the outside of the garment and blend easily into the seam....

A properly applied invisible zipper gives a garment a smooth appearance, because no indication is given of how the garment opens and closes. A fabric covering and the position of the zipper teeth...

Lingerie elastic, also called fold over elastic, is the narrow, stretchy trim that encases the edges of many styles of panties, and sometimes forms the edging and shoulder straps on tank tops. It...

A hooded witch's robe is a popular costume item for Halloween, Renaissance festivals and plays. A hooded robe or cape, especially a lined one, can be quite expensive to purchase. However, with a...

While it sounds like a type of fabric, a calico toile is actually a tool used by a dressmaker when making a handmade garment.

Boning gives a dress or bodice that shape you're looking for. It provides support, curves and lines in just the right places without the need to constantly iron out wrinkles from daily movement. ...

Single fold bias tape is useful for finishing the edges of garments, like skirt hems and dress armholes. Unlike double fold tape, single fold bias is never seen in the finished garment, but is...

Eyelets are those handy little metal rings found on corsets and many other types of clothing. While they look professional, it is actually really easy to attach an eyelet on your own, as long as...

If you are a fan of puppets, you may be wondering how to make clothes for your hand puppets at home. Maybe commercial puppet clothes are too expensive or too boring, or you have an idea that you...

Making dolls and doll clothing can be a rewarding craft. Dolls can be redressed to be from any time period or to match a room's decor. Several dolls might be given matching clothing, to make them...

Many in the Goth scene resort to DIY fashion for their dresses, rather than mass-produced products. When crafting a new dress, set yourself apart from the crowd with techniques that will produce a...

Sew on a zipper to repair on broken zipper of simply to change the color of the zipper that came with the material that you are working with.

Many free options exist for beginning sewers. Choose from videos, books, blog posts and forums. Pick instructions that you understand. Try different methods to become comfortable with the tasks....

Many fashion designers work from home or started out working from home, but designing clothing can also be a hobby. Patterns are available at crafts stores, though selection can be limited....

Organza is not the easiest fabric to work with. While it is beautiful, the fact that it is sheer means all of your seams and hems will show on the outside, not to mention it puckers easily and...

Women have designed and crafted their own dresses for a long time. Even though mass-produced garments took over the world of women's fashion, some ladies still get a rush from creating their own...

Custom tailoring and fitting can take a garment from homemade to custom made. Once you have moved beyond simple sewing, learning a few professional-quality tips and tricks can take the garments...

Last week my 91-year-old mother-in-law mentioned that she was wearing a nightgown I made for her over 20 years ago. I was amazed that it was still in service, not to mention in as good a shape as...

Putting a zipper into a garment can be a daunting task. With these easy, step-by-step instructions you will be able to put in a working zipper and then keep it for future reference when you want...

A christening gown symbolizes faith, love and heritage for a family. The gown often becomes a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation. Making an original christening gown means...

Three Easy Steps to a Professional Look In today's busy world. It is important that garments are long-lasting and stay looking new. Follow these simple steps to make sure your garments stay...

When a designer creates a garment, there is a stage called draping. Draping entails a period of work with muslin (or fashion fabric) during which the designer manipulates and works the fabric into...

There are many measurements that must be taken in order to make a dress, including the upper chest, the mid chest, the waist, the hips, across the back and down the arms. Measure a body thoroughly...

One of the best ways to show your pride in your fraternity or sorority is to wear your letters on a shirt, sweatshirt, hat or pants. Although there is ready-to-wear clothing for every Greek...

If you are usually a size 0 or 2 in off-the-rack sizes and have a petite frame (particularly if you are narrow through the shoulders with a measurement of less than 15” from shoulder to shoulder),...

Sewing boning into a garment adds a professional touch that results in both a better look and a better fit. Boning consists of rigid or semi-rigid strips that provide structure and support for...

Rather than use a traditional pattern to make your garment, the option of draping allows freedom for designing. Viewing the relationship of the fabric to the body as you create your garment allows...

Want to make use of all the hair your dog sheds during brushing, or create a garment to remember a special canine companion? With some basic fiber preparation and textile skills, you can make a...

Basting is a sewing technique used to temporarily hold elements of a garment together. Seamstresses use a variety of different basting stitches for different sewing situations. Millinery is...

Often a cotton knit skirt or slacks need hemming due to an accidental catch that rips the seam or simply because the garment needs shortening. Cotton knit is a stretchy fabric that is fairly easy...

Making preppy clothes is quite easy if you have some sewing skills under your belt. Creating items like dresses, shirts and shorts is a great way to get the crisp look without spending a ton of...

Making a plaid garment with matching seams is easier than it might seem. It takes a little more time and a little more fabric than usual, but it is not difficult. The key is in the pattern notches.

To sew on a patch to a garment, iron out the patch or fabric, pull the needle up from underneath and do a whip stitch around the edges to tack it down. Stitch a patch to jeans, decorative pillows...

Sewing appliques to a garment adds additional decoration, and it is easy to do by gluing it in place with fabric glue, stitching around the edges by hand or using a machine to tack it down. Sew...

A ruana is a cape-like garment often found in Latin American countries. It is often woven in one piece as a giant square with a keyhole-shaped opening in the front. Unlike the poncho shown, ruanas...

Sewing your own clothes for Build-a-Bears is an inexpensive way to create new looks for your existing teddy bears. Since most teddy bears are fairly small, think outside of the box when it comes...

Step into any fabric store and you'll see material in a variety of colors, patterns and textures lining the shelves. Toile is just one kind of fabric often used in interior design projects. The...

In an era where nearly everyone buys all of their clothes, the art of sewing your own can seem mysterious and difficult. However, it's actually an easy enough process, as long as you follow the...

Blind hemming your sewing projects is easy to do on the sewing machine when you position the fabric correctly.

Learning to sew your own doll clothes is a smart way to save money and create gifts for children. Doll clothes can be constructed of old scrap fabric or any other fabric you no longer need...

Buttons can be the finishing touch to whatever garment you've made. Whether a shirt, jacket or dress, adding a certain button can make a dull article of clothing come to life. And you don't have...

Hand sewing a patch on clothing is not a difficult task. Whether you are patching a hole or sewing a decorative or merit patch on a sash, you can do the job with very little effort or equipment. ...

Sewing clothes for babies can be a lot of fun; since there is less tailoring to be done, they're small and cute, and can be done more quickly than typical clothes. However, there is some care that...

When summertime rolls around, the crafty or thrifty individual may find themselves searching for creative ways to make cool, fashionable tops from fabric found around the house. This project,...

Patches are sometimes used to cover a tear or hole in a garment. However, over the years, patches have been used to make a particular fashion statement. A patch can be created to stand out or...

Sewing is often seen as a challenging hobby--especially when the first few efforts produce clothes that don't fit properly. When making clothes from a published pattern, it's helpful to begin with...

It does not matter if it is a Girl Scout Patch or a Patch for the knee of old jeans the process is always the same. This will outline the process for you step by step.