How To: Prepare fabric for an applique
This is a demonstration showing how to prepare fabric for an applique. If your fabric is not prepared properly your applique will not attach properly.
This is a demonstration showing how to prepare fabric for an applique. If your fabric is not prepared properly your applique will not attach properly.
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a baby blanket. First, cut out a pattern (you can used old shirts and jackets) and line it against a liner fabric, and cut it out. Now, take the ends of the fabric and sew them 1/2 inch in. Then, sew both the liner fabric and the original fabric together on all the sides that are open and use pins to hold it together while you are sewing other sides. You can do any type of stitch that you like, just make it all your own. When you're finished, you'll have...
This video animation tutorial demonstrates a technique for creating a fabric-like effect out of clay for stop motion figures, or armatures. Instead of smooth clay, try to give a more authentic finish to clay that will be used to create clothing. This technique will also create patterned fabrics. You'll need to chop the clay up first in a food processor, and then put it through a pasta machine. Watch this instructional video and learn how to make clay look like fabric for claymation armature c...
This project requires very little sewing experience. If you can do a basic whip-stitch, cut fabric and use an iron, you can do this. This is a great gift idea and you can use up those old fabric scraps, trims and beads. The best thing about it, is that you can customize the box to any occasion. Watch this how to video tutorial and learn how to make a fabric gift box.
Today, Facebook Messenger is rolling out Discover, a feature that helps you chat with companies and locate nearby businesses of interest to you. First discussed in April at Facebook's developer conference F8, Discover is finally available for public use.
How to make an overall style tank top: To make an overall style tank top, find a tank top you like. Make an incision in the strap to where the overall strap would be. Take a buckle and sew it on. You may also use a desired fabric by tracing your tank top shape onto the fabric, cut it out and sew it all together. For a shortcut, cut an extra piece of fabric and sew it directly onto the tank top strap, before you sew the shoulder seams, and attach the button accordingly. Sew the overall tank to...
Though rag rugs are durable and are known to last decades, sometimes due to a weak fabric, a thin strip, loose stitching, or canine chewing, holes and weak spots develop. Fortunately, these holes are easy to fix. All you need is a strip of fabric in a similar color. Watch this video weaving tutorial and learn how to mend a rag rug with a strip of cloth.
Just dye it! In this crafty how to video, Melissa shows you the moves to make plain fabric into a showpiece. Also, find out which scissors every self-respecting sewer should keep in her sewing kit. Watch this tutorial and get this brightly colored, fashion forward look in no time.
Learn the chain stitch and wrap stitch, two embroidery techniques. Use this technique to embellish knitted fabric.
Make It Mine editor Linda Augsburg demonstrates how to cut fabric using a rotary cutter, clear plastic ruler and a cutting mat.
Use textile inks in a variety of ways to create your own background fabric or paper for quilting, scrapbooking, home decor or wall art.
This is a great and inexpensive Thanksgiving craft idea you can do easily - turn a glass jar into a scarecrow! You can create this clever fall home decoration with the jar, some scrap fabric, straw batting and a few sewing tools!
The pen doesn't have to stop on the paper. Your art masterpiece doesn't have to stay on the canvas. You can share your favorite drawings with everyone, right on your own chest. Wear your art designs with pride by using a scanner/printer, a photo editing application, an iron, and Avery iron-on Dark Fabric Transfer paper. And don't forget your tee shirt.
Though this isn't quite fit for winter wear, you can surely wear this in the spring, summer, and fall, during those times when it's warm with a brisk breeze that might send small shivers down your spine (perhaps a few goosebumps).
Julie Auclair introduces authors of a book called "Celebrate Green." This book shows you how to throw a baby shower the "green" way. Guests do not realize that some of the gifts they give can be harmful, toxic, or not recyclable. You start with the three "R's", reduce, reuse and recycle. You use these to determine if a gift falls into one of these categories. They have added the three "G's", which are "good for people," "good for the planet," and "good for the community." They begin with the ...
Create a hand bag using a plastic bag with this video tutorial. We really have to do something with these plastic bags, it spoils nature so dramatically.
Steal Lady Gaga's eccentric look from MTV's 2009 VMA Awards for your next big costume party with help from ThreadBanger. You will need some poster board, red spray paint, flesh-colored stretch fabric, an excessive amount of red lace, sewing skills... and about four hours. Blonde ratty wig not required, but a big plus!
Check out this DIY video tutorial from Curbly, the best place to share pictures of your home, find design ideas, and get expert home-improvement advice.
This video knitting tutorial demonstrates making a 3-stitch I-cord, so cast on 3 stitches. Use 2 double-pointed needles to make an I-cord. After casting on, instead of turning the work, slide it down such that the first stitch you will knit is at the opposite end of the stitches from the working yarn. Pull the working yarn across the back and knit three stitches. Now slide the work again, give the cord end a tug, pull the yarn across the back and knit three stitches. You need to add some tens...
This is a dressmaker's tip called setting the seam, which helps you make crisp seams when sewing strips of fabric into sets. It help to dampen and iron a seam before moving onto the next sewing step. This helps your fabrics stay neat and regular.
Tom of Videomaker teaches how to use the green screen to make a character appear in front of a set or to achieve the website spokesperson effect. Install a green screen in such a way that the fold at the corner of the wall and the ground is instead curved in order to create an even transition from the top to the bottom of the green screen. Build the base at the bottom part of the screen by weighing down the fabric at the corners and stretch it evenly. Light the green screen separately from th...
Making three different scarves out of an old T-shirt is fast and simple. For the first one, lay the t-shirt out flat and cut horizontally from one underarm to the other. Next, cut one layer of the tube. Now cut straight lines every 1/2" inch all the way up to the last inch of fabric. After that, pull on the fringe. For the next scarf, cut under the underarm again. Now, cut off the hem. Fold the tube in half, open end to open end, and cut it down the folded middle. After that, cut one layer of...
Rag rugs were commonly made in households up to the middle of the 20th century by using odd scraps of fabric on a background of old sacking. Begin making rag rug with two ribbons tied in a knot. Attach a rug tool to the left strand. You can use a traditional latch hook, needle punch, or substitute tool. For the first row, repeat a simple process of tying knots. Don't tie them too tight, as you must thread the latch hook through each knot again to link the strings of knots. This video provides...
Watch host Xandria Ooi learn batik drawing techniques at the Jadi Batek Centre in Malaysia. Part 1 of 3 - How to Do batik drawing on fabric.
Microbial cells can improve the functionality of clothes in creative and useful ways, including cooling us down during a workout or making clothing glow for better visibility.
Ever wondered how to make a tee shirt? With a little cloth, some thread, a sewing machine and some direction, it's as easy as baking a cake. If you want to start designing your own cool T-shirts with your favorite fabrics, watch and learn!
What we love about this "Mask of Mystery" is that you can use it for a large variety of Halloween costumes. Delicate scroll patterns ending in curlicues and dubbed over with glitter make this painted on mask perfect for dark fairies, Moulin Rouge can can dancers, Mardi Gras participants, and even sorceresses.
We all know we should dress for our body type, and that there are different cuts and fits of clothing specifically tailored to enhance our shapes, but there exists one universally flattering piece of clothing out there that we believe flatters all: the pencil skirt.
First you must take inventory of all items in order to be able to create your bag. Make sure all labels are in the correct order. Lining should be ready before attempting to begin construction. The stay should be 10in long and 4in wide. Pocket the stays and glue the stays to the outside fabric. Use the notches to line everything up. Take the magnetic snap and attach it to the front and back. Take a knife and cut holes for the magnetic snap. The magnetic snap comes with a washer. Use cardboard...
This video provides tips on how to determine whether your Coach purse (or bag) is a fake. In order to spot a fake Coach purse, you have to look at the details closely. If there is a fabric pattern on the front, make sure that the letter is clearly a “C”. If it looks more like an “O” or a “G”, then it is a fake.
This video demonstrates how to stitch a blind hem. A blind hem does not show stitching on the outer side of the garment, like a pair of pants or a shirt. If you turn the garment you do see the stitching. The reason you don't see the stitching on the outside of the garment is that it's not complete stitching. Depending on your machine it is actually a half of a zigzag stitch and then 3 or 4 strait stitches repeated down the seam. The only stitch that shows is the half a zigzag stitch. Before y...
If you've ever wondered how to resize a T-Shirt to a smaller perfect fit, then follow these simple steps presented by Stacey from Sewing Republic. To shrink down your T-Shirt, follow theses steps: You will need an oversized shirt, a smaller shirt to use as a pattern and your sewing machine. 1. Turn both shirts inside out, and lay the fitted shirt on top. 2. Fold the sleeves back and pin the shirts together. 3. Trace around the fitted shirt with a fabric marking pen. Add 1/2 inch for your seam...
In this video you will learn how to build a retaining wall to flatten a sloped lawn. He says that if someone wants to garden but their yard is sloped and they know they can't do it, they should know that this is a lot of work. So be prepared to dedicate a lot of time and effort. You start by getting a building permit. If you're looking to build a low retaining wall you start by digging a trench a little wider then the stones and a few inches deep (the higher the wall the deeper the trench). F...
The cold weather can mean bad news for your home garden. But if you take the right measures, you can protect your plants from dying during the winter months. This video will show you to prepare your plants to survive the cold.
There are many ways to wraps your hands for Muay Thai or kickboxing. One way is to first attach the Velcro to itself so that it creates a loop, after rolling the hand wraps back up in the opposite direction. Now you want to attach the loop to your thumb then wrap the wrap around your wrist three or four times. Secure the thumbs and come up towards the knuckles them you need to make a knuckle pad. You do this by looping the fabric about four times against your knuckles, securing it with your t...
Do you have an old pair of jeans hanging around? Maybe they don't fit anymore, or perhaps they are out of style? With a few stitches, you can turn that ugly old pair of pants into a stylish corset top.
Learn how to tie a perfect bow. To do a basic pony bow, place the gathered hair in the center of the ribbon and tie a single knot to secure it. Making two loops, cross one loop over the other and pull the loop on top through the hole you've created. Straighten out the ends and tighten so the two loops are on top and the two tails on bottom. Make a headband bow. Run the ribbon along the hairline, drawing the ends up on top of your head. Secure a knot and tie a bow. By tweaking the loops out a ...
Looking for a way to save on your energy bills at home? How about line drying your clothes? According to the Energy Information Agency, clothes dryers account for 5.8 percent of home electricity usage. Line-dry your washed clothes and linens to keep them from wearing out, and save money on your energy bill at the same time.
Ever wanted to know how to smell good naturally with natural elements? You can save the earth without offending those around you when you go au natural.
Usually those "dry clean only" tags mean one thing: dry cleaning bills. Why sacrifice wearing silk, suede, or other fine fabrics when knowing just a few clothes care tips can save you tons of money on dry cleaning.