Join Molly de Vries and pick up some new holiday tricks with a green conscience. She shows us how to make a festive fabric garland from attractive scraps, then shows a furoshiki fabric gift wrapping technique. Molly is a sustainable textiles maven and creator of Ambatalia "The Fabric Society." Learn how to wrap gifts the furoshiki method.
Watch an experienced quilter glide through four layers of fabric to make a clean cut with a rotary cutter. This instructional quilting video shows how a right handed person would cut fabric. You will also need a straight edge and a cutting mat in addition to a rotary cutter in order to make straight cut in quilting fabric.
This instructional video demonstrates how to knit a fabric stitch, also known as the linen stitch.The linen stitch is a nice, firm knitting stitch pattern that looks similar to the woven fabric called linen. It's a great reversible pattern perfect for bags, scarves and just about anything else you can think of.
This instructional sewing video demonstrates how to sew a ruffle. Choose any type of fabric and some stretchy material. Sew the stretchy material onto the fabric while the elastic is stretched out. When you let it relax the fabric will retain a natural ruffle. Try it out at home with your own designs.
Watch this fashion tutorial video from ThreadBanger to learn how to braid fabric without it fraying. You'll need three strips of fabric, pins, and a sewing machine. You can embellish just about anything with your new braids, and this instructional video will help you braid like a pro.
Remove oil stains from fabric. Oil and grease stains in fabric can cause ugly marks. Fortunately, they don't need to be very difficult to get out of your clothes. Oils respond well to most soaps and can often be easily lifted if you catch them in time. First, try dabbing at the stain with some liquid laundry or dish detergent.
The first step to wrap your hands for boxing and kick boxing is to place the hoop at the end of the wrap around your thumb. After the hoop is around the thumb the fabric is wrapped around the hand four times slowly moving towards the wrist. The fabric is then tied in an X formation around the thumb and returning back down to the base of the wrist. The fabric is then wrapped around each knuckle until all of the fingers have been wrapped correctly. The last step involved is wrapping the fabric ...
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a basic princess pillow case. First, you will need to have a large piece of pink silk fabric. Lay this out flat, then cut out a 45x75 cm rectangle. Once finished, separate the two pieces of the fabric, then cut a new piece 45x20 cm. Then, lay the fabric facing up and lay some lace on top with the frills facing inward. Sew together the fabric and lace all the way around the entire pillow case. Fold the top down on the other large rectangle piece, then rep...
In this video, we learn how to make a colorful tutu. First, you will need to grab all the colors of fabric that you want to use on your tutu. Then, roll up the fabric of each color carefully, then cut it out to the length you have measured for your subject. After this, cut out one more smaller section of fabric from each piece until you have done this with all of the colors. Now, using a piece of ribbon as the waistband, tie each piece of colored fabric onto it, alternating colors each time. ...
In this tutorial, we learn how to sew and measure elastic. First, place the elastic over your waist and think about what you are making. Decide if you want it to be comfortable or if you want it to be tighter if you are wearing it out during the day. Also take into account what type of fabric you are going to be using so you know how much elastic is needed. Fold the elastic and mark the inside and outside of the fold, now do the same thing with your fabric. Now you will know if you need to ea...
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a stylish bat sleeve. First, take a large piece of fabric and measure it from your shoulder to the armpit on the other arm. Now, fold the fabric up and mark pins where you want the cuts to be. Now, sew the seams where you placed the pins. Do this for both sides and when you are done you will have bat sleeves on a blouse in just a few short minutes. You can do this on any color of fabric and use different types of fabrics as well. Just make sure to measur...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to reupholster the seat of a chair. Begin by taking the seat off the chair and remove the staples on the back of the fabric. Remove the fabric and cushion, leaving you with the wood base. With polstry foam, cut the foam out 1/8" larger than the board. With wool batting, cut the batting 4" larger than the board and then staple it to the board. Finish it by covering it with some decorative fabric. Cut the fabric 4" larger than the board and staple it on...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a toy parachute. The materials required are: lightweight fabric, ruler, scissors, string, 4 hole button and a toy army man. Begin by measuring a 10x10 inch square on the fabric and cut it out. Fold over each of the 4 corners and cue a small hole. Measure and cut 2 lengths of 36 inch string. Take the string and tie it to one end of the hole on the fabric. Run the other end through the button hole and tie it to the diagonally opposite hole on th...
You share your innermost feelings with it on a daily basis. Why, then, settle for something drab, prefab and impersonal? With this handy how-to, you'll learn how make a custom fabric-covered hardbound journal.
Hair bows are adorable for all ages, and in this simple, easy tutorial, our hostess gives us first the materials we will need to construct our own. A piece of cardboard, a sewing needle and thread, a rubber band, and of course the little fabric pieces referred to as "spikes," to complete the creation. From there, we are taught that the cardboard is our stabilizer, through which the needle will go, and that we will then be constructing the fabric into shapes upon that needle, layering the fabr...
Handmade gifts are always appreciated. Hand painting ties can be wonderful, creative work, especially if it is for Dad on Father’s Day. You’ll make a keepsake he’ll treasure forever.
Check out this video to learn how to make some easy fabric ornaments for Christmas. Decorating will be a snap, not a pain, when you take advantage of the scraps you have lying around from past projects. Let your holiday spirit out!
You can learn to confidently and accurately sew a straight seam. You Will Need
In this video you will see how to transfer a photograph onto a piece of flannel fabric. You will have to treat the flannel with Bubble jet Set 2000 to help the photo stay on the fabric longer. Use an inkjet printer to make sure the ink soaks into the fiber. Tape the treated flannel onto the printed picture and run the paper through the printer again. The printer should print directly onto the fabric without trouble!
Fabric valances add a great decorative and finishing touch to any window. You really can do fabric valances yourself. Learn how to measure for beautiful custom fabric valances in just two minutes with this how to video.
Fabric roll up valances add a decorative flare to your windows. Measuring and installation of fabric valances is easy. In this short video you will see just how simple it is to install a fabric roll-up valance.
Quilting! Is there anything better!? Well, no, but one thing easier is the quilt as you go method. This video will show you what to do and how to do it. You'll want to have some baton, backing, thread, scissors and of course lots of pieces of fabric. The fabric doesn't need to be the same color or style and in fact, the more different the fabric the crazier your quilt will be. Check it out! Get quilting, and learn the quilt as you go method today!
The bias cut is when you cut a piece of fabric at a forty five degree angle from the direction it was woven on a loom. Bias tape, a strip of fabric cut on the bias, can be used to give any garment a professional looking finish, and here is how you can make your own.
The sari is a beautiful dress, traditionally worn by East Indian women, involving a length of fabric draped over an under blouse. This tutorial shows you how to draft your own pattern for a sari blouse and then sew it together yourself. Always iron your fabric before you start working with it!
This dress can be wrapped, draped, or tied any way that suits you, depending on where you're going. Choose a lightweight fabric, like silk or satin, when you're sewing this dress. All you need is a few yards of fabric and your usual sewing notions.
It's been a few years since Finding Nemo became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, but it's cultural appeal lingers on. If you want to capture some of that Nemo cuteness for your Halloween costume, watch this video to learn how to make a really cute Nemo costume with no sewing required.
Really the question is why you WOULDN'T want to look like a greek goddess for Halloween. After all, many of them, like Aphrodite and Eos, are damn near perfect in all their glowing gorgeousness, at least we assume from the artistic depictions.
In order to make a monster hoodie, you will need the following: a hoodie, black felt, white felt, fabric glue, scissors, pencil, and tape measurer.
Have you ever secretly pined away for a career in interior design, even though you're currently stuck in law school because, well, your parents forced you and gave you no other option? Because law school can be a bit rigid in terms of what you learn (pretty much it's just facts and figures and learning sound logic), it's important to indulge your creative side ever once in a while.
You probably already have a plethora of white t-shirts and plain blue jeans, and while having outfits you can lean on no matter the time of day or occasion, going with the same neutral tones and combinations gets a bit boring (not to mention visually dull) after a while.
In this video, we learn tips on how ladies can look great while salsa dancing. First, make sure you keep your chin tilted up, this will keep you looking confident. Second, keep your shoulders back so your shoulder blades are pinched together and your chest is slightly pushed out. Third, remember proper arm positioning and hand style. Fourth, stay on the balls of your feet so you don't look rigid and flat-footed. Doing all of these together can help you look great while doing the salsa, and gi...
If you're a habitual sewer, especially one who switches between threads and needles frequently to work on a complex project, then a pin cushion is not only a nice tool to have, but also a necessity for good work flow.
Just because your skirt is in tatters doesn't mean you look like a homeless hobo. In fact, when the tatters that comprise your skirt come from old but beautiful fabrics (instead of, well, just old and overused fabrics), you'll look both chic and money smart.
We've all heard of dying paper with tea dye for an aged, vintage effect. But did you know you could use tea (and coffee) to dye other things as well, including T-shirts and yarn?
In this video, Elizabeth Gleeson shows us how to repurpose those plastic shopping bags that pile up around the house into fun crafts that make perfect gifts for the holidays. You can use this new fabric for tons of projects including new purses, wallets, shopping bags or anything else you would use normal fabric for! So, get started and help save the Earth - one bag at a time!
In this episode of Oliart, Olivia uses an old pair of socks and fabric to make a Babka (Grandma) doll. Although Olivia uses a sewing machine to make her doll, you can use a non-fray fabric and hand stitching if you don't have access to a sewing machine.
Kenneth D. King of ThreadBanger demonstrates one way to use a scissor known as an embroidery scissor, which is a very tiny scissor with a slightly curved blade. The curved blade prevents the points of the scissors from poking through the fabric, which is very important when you need to trim something close to the fabric. This comes in handy for uses other than embroidery.
Pinking shears are scissors with an blade that is spiked instead of straight across like a regular pair. Pinking sheers are used to finish off fabric that does not necessarily need a strong hem. They can be used for any type of material that will not unravel - such as silk or charmeuse. This tutorial from Threadbanger will show you how to finish off your fabric by pinking, which is actually incredibly simple to do.
1: Chose a stretchy fabric & fold in half, so that the right side of the patterns are together. 2: Lay dress on top of fabric & trace the dress with dressmakers chalk, allowing for a 1.5 cm seam allowance (except for the bottom. allow 5 cm).
Updating an old lampshade is a great way to brighten up a corner, freshen up a room, and lighten up your life. Learn how to re-cover your lampshade with this tutorial. All you need is fabric, spray adhesive, fabric glue, ribbon or cording to easily cover your lampshade at home.
