Hobbies

Sewing machines went into mass production in the 1850s. Although the early sewing machines required foot power to operate, they were a great labor-saver when compared to sewing by hand. Whether...

I frequently want to give someone a handmade gift but I don't sew nor do I have a sewing machine. My daughter showed me how to make a throw (personal-sized blanket) without having to make a...

So maybe you have bought your first sewing machine, Well the next thing would be to learn how to use it and then decide on starting on a project. Before you start your new project, have you done...

If you are reading this article, you probably are thinking of starting to sew and are wondering what type of machine to buy. Well i recently went through the same thing and this is what i did.

You can analyze a sewing machine problem or malfunction, even if you have little knowledge about mechanics or the actual operation of the sewing machine. The sewing machine is sturdy and has very...

Sometime you have perfect good chairs that just don't match anymore. Or wicker furniture that looks great but isn't comfortable to sit in. Don't throw it away, just make a new chair cushion for...

Here is an easy way to avoid the problem young tap dancers have when the ribbon tie on their tap shoes comes undone during their tap lessons or, worse yet, in the middle of a performance. ...

Having trouble with this? Sometimes a sewing machine needle breaks, and you have to change it out. You should also change needles when you sew on different weights of cloth. If you're sewing...

Do you have some old jeans hanging around? They're taking up space and not paying rent. Well, put them to use by making purses out of them! Yes, denim purses are everywhere and you can just make...

Ever wish you could wear socks with your thong-style sandals? Maybe the thong rubs too much between your toes. Or perhaps it's not quite warm enough for sandals, but you'd like to wear them...

Whether you are spending the weekend at a Society for Creative Anachronism event, participating in educational reenactment or spending a day at a Renaissance fair, you want to blend in. The first...

You can protect your paperbacks while still seeing the title of the book you are currently reading by making a cover from clear vinyl. This cover is made with a permanent, sewn flap into which the...

The first step to threading your Kenmore sewing machine is to load the bobbin. Whether your Kenmore bobbin opens on the side or is a top-loading machine, most machines have a bobbin winder located...

Did your ex leave a bunch of ties behind? Is your hubby sick of some of his? Before you throw them away or donate, consider making a unique and flattering skirt for yourself.

Threading a bobbin can be one of the more frustrating tasks when using a sewing machine. Bobbins have to be wound perfectly in order to sew a correct stitch. Otherwise the stitch will be too...

To use a sewing machine, you must have a threaded bobbin. The process is fairly simple.

You can store needles for sewing in these easy to make needle cases. If you sew a lot, you may find yourself hunting for a spare sewing needle only to discover the pincushion ate it again. :)...

A tote bag is a useful accessory to any lady's wardrobe. You can even take one along during spring break. You can make several of these spring time totes to make each outfit stand out. These can...

Brother makes many different models of sewing machines. Most sewing machines are now computerized and will give you an error message, which will help you determine where the problem lies....

Whether you are a mother of a 10-year-old who wants to learn to sew, or a beginning adult, sewing is a skill that will be used for a lifetime. Once you learn the basics, you will be able to use...

Bean bag chairs are fun for all ages. Bean bag chairs are not only easy to move and fit in spaces that regular chair cannot go, but they're inexpensive and a great way to use items you may...

In today's economy you are always trying to find the cheapest way to get what you need. Clothing patterns at the fabric store will run anywhere from $5-$20, plus you still need to pay for the...

Pet owners love their little friends and people who can sew have wonderful opportunities to create all sorts of fun apparel for their pets. You can even find free pet apparel patterns online. ...

Leather jackets are popular as club jackets for various groups. Many of these groups, such as motorcycle clubs or car clubs, offer patches that can be sewn onto the leather jackets. It's possible...

Sewing a cushion for a bench is not as difficult as you might think if you already have some basic knowledge of sewing. In fact, you can even turn a coffee table into a bench by sewing a cushion!

When heading to a special party or formal event a sensible gift to bring is the classic bottle of wine. While often the big choice is based on which wine you bring, now there is an added touch of...

Some plush animal patterns are extremely complicated, but that's no reason to avoid the craft completely. With this quick method and a few common supplies, you can make a plush animal using only...

If you like to sew but can never find the supplies you need, today might be the day to make a sewing box. While your sewing box may or may not be a great artwork in itself, it can help keep your...

Rockers are comfortable to sit on and rock yourself to sleep in, but there's no denying a rocker is much more comfortable when it has a soft cushion on it. Follow these steps to make cushions for...

If you need a very basic idea of how to do just enough sewing to get by and to mend your own clothes, then this is where you can learn the very basic techniques. By the time you finish reading...

Drawstring Bags come in various shapes and sizes. The bags themselves could be considered as gifts. Most people use candy -filled drawstring bags as gift favors at weddings. These cute bags look...

If you are the proud owner of a sewing machine, you may need some tips on how to use it. To start, you will need to know how to thread the needle. While this may seem to be a rather simple task,...

Have you ever wanted to compare embroidery/sewing machine models between Brother and Babylock? Than please read this article and discover the secrets the manufacturers don't want you to know.

You might need to know how to get a free sewing machine for several reasons. Making throw pillows or curtains is a great way to spruce up your apartment on a budget. Plus, you might not want to...

There are hundreds of free online patterns for needlecrafts, sewing, knitting, quilt making, crochet, crafts and more. Here is how to find them.

Sewing patterns can be purchased in fabric stores or fabric sections of retail stores.There are a lot of smaller companies that manufacture clothing patterns, but the largest and most prominent...

Nylon tricot is a kind of knitted fabric that is often used for lingerie or as a lining material. The word tricot, pronounced tree-ko, comes from the French verb tricoter, meaning to knit. The...

Determining the value of your antique Singer sewing machine requires that you first realize that "value" means more than price. In the sewing machine world, models are generally considered...

If you have sewing skills and know the right methods you can make your own handmade Barbie clothes for your Barbie dolls. These handmade clothes can be used for your own vintage Barbie outfits...

The treadle sewing machine was the precursor to the modern electric-powered sewing machine. If you were to pry the casing off a modern-day sewing machine, you would not see much difference in the...

Beginning sewers can make this stylish sash in very little time. The sash works up easily and can be finished in one day (or less). Choose the fabric that you like and that is easy to work with....

Sergers, or overlock machines, produce stitches that overlap the edge of the fabric. Sergers used to be made only for industrial sewing, but are now widely available for home use. Unlike...

Sewing with a sewing machine is a wonderful life skill to have. Not only can you save money by making your own clothes and home décor, but sewing can also be a relaxing and fun hobby that...

If you are an avid sewer then chances are you have probably invested a decent amount in a nice pair of sewing scissors. When you love to sew, your scissors are just as important as your sewing...

Making a fabric storybook doll can be as challenging or as easy as you wish to make it. It's always best to start with an easy sewing pattern and work your way up to a more complicated one.

Between threads, needles, notions and thimbles, your sewing station can become an absolute wreck. Sometimes if a sewing area becomes too unruly, it can be difficult to get up the motivation to...

Whether you want to close a garment that you are sewing from scratch or add zippers to clothing you already have as a fashionable accent or to improve the fit, the process is similar, and not as...

Sweet-15 pillows can make a great keepsake gift. You can make the pillow as elegant or as funky as you think the teenage recipient would like. The sweet-15 pillow can be square, round or...

Many sewing machines come with a zigzag stitch, or even several types of zigzag stitches. Zigzag stitches are useful for helping prevent the cut edges of fabric from raveling, so you may want to...

You may want to make a vinyl pillow as a throw pillow or cushion for outdoor furniture, or as a kneeling pad for gardening. You can find the vinyl you need in a variety of colors and thickness in...