Jessica from Running With Scissors shows how she made this little girl dress with a faux necklace. The “necklace” is actually strips of neon knit fabric stitched down around the neckline. Go to her blog for the how-to.
[photo … Read More...
Tutorial: Make clear pouches to hold printed PDF patterns
PDF patterns provide instant access to independent designers. Just download, print, and sew. But storing the stacks of 8 1/2 x 11 paper isn’t always so easy. Put them in an envelope and you can’t see what’s inside, but leave … Read More...
Tutorial: Fabric covered headbands from bias tape and scrap fabric
Oliver + S shows a good use for bias tape and scraps left over from a sewing project. You can use them to cover a narrow headband and embellish it with a bow or fabric flower. Go to their blog … Read More...
Tutorial: Stenciled bunny burlap placemats
Laura from Make Life Lovely shows how she made this set of Easter placemats. They’re made from burlap hemmed around the edges and stenciled with a simple bunny motif. The materials are inexpensive, costing just $3 to make the whole … Read More...
Tutorial: Little girl’s pintucked and ruffled twirly skirt
Pam from Threading My Way used pintucks to create a subtle detail for the front of this twirly skirt. The gathered skirt also has a pretty bow at the waist and a ruffle around the hem. Go to her tutorial … Read More...
Tutorial: Banded dolman top
Melanie from The Crafty Cupboard shows how to make a simple banded dolman top. Sleeves are cut on the same piece as the top front/back, so there’s no setting them in. The bands sewn to the neckline, shirt bottom, and … Read More...
Tutorial: Soft fabric giraffe baby rattle
Mira from Sewing The Littleheart Collection made this soft fabric giraffe baby rattle in anticipation of a baby boom among her circle of friends. The long narrow neck is easy for baby’s hand to hold. Inside, a plastic tube is … Read More...
Sewing Pattern Tutorial: Zip up t-shirt
Pearls & Scissorsshows how to add a functioning zipper to a t-shirt dress. If you want the sides to fully unzip, you’ll need a separating zipper. They used a dress, but you could also use a t-shirt to make a … Read More...
Tutorial: 3 ways to add knee pads to boy pants
Rae from Made By Rae shows three ways you can add knee pads to a pair of pants. It’s a final how-to in this year’s Celebrate the Boy series. She shows how to make them in large rectangular patches, classic … Read More...
Tutorial: No sew sequined Peter Pan collar tee
Carly from Chic Steals shows how you can make this sequined trompe l’oeil t-shirt, no sewing required. She uses sequined trim to create a faux Peter Pan collar, buttons, and patch pocket. Go to her DIY.
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Tip: Using Steam a Seam on curved hems
Portia from Miss P shares a gem of a hemming tip over at her blog. She shows her trick for using a fusible webbing tape (such as Steam a Seam) on a curved hem. Go there to see what she … Read More...
Sewing Tutorial: Ruched t-shirt sleeves
Miriam Tribe from Mad Mim shows how to make ruched sleeves for a t-shirt. The detail appears in her Duckies In a Pond tee she made for her guest post in the Make This Look series at The Train To … Read More...
Free pattern: Little girl poncho with Peter Pan collar
Helen Crafty Stall made this poncho for her little girl, and she shares the pattern and how-to on her blog. It has a sweet Peter Pan collar and round patch pockets. The pattern is for a size 3T. If you … Read More...
Tutorial: Sparkle up those jeans pockets
Stef from Girl. Inspired. made a pair of skinny jeans she made for her daughter. Heat fix crystals were just the thing to add some sparkle to the back pockets. She posts on her blog telling how she did it. … Read More...
Tutorial: Easy envelope pillow cover
Delia from Delia Creates shows how easy it is to create a new cover for a throw pillow. The envelope style has overlapping flaps on the back that allow you to insert a pillow form. It’s easy to sew, with … Read More...
Sewing Tutorial: Faux snakeskin clutch bag
Gina Michele from Rock Mosaic made this faux snakeskin clutch out of an old jacket. She shares a tutorial showing how. Go to her tute.
If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and personal flair to your … Read More...
Tutorial: Boxy bunny softie
Stacie from Yellow Spool shares another of her Scrapped Animals. This time it’s a little boxy bunny softie. His body is a simple fabric box, but with bunny features stitched on and bunny ears sticking out the top. On his … Read More...
Tutorial: Little boy muscle shirts
Dana from MADE shows how to adapt a basic little boy t-shirt pattern to make a muscle shirt instead. Your little guy will feel all kinds of tough in it, while he’s really being all kinds of cute. She used … Read More...
Tutorial: Sweatshirt dress for girls
Prudent Baby recently shared a tutorial for their Hot Mess Sweatshirt Dress made from two X-Large sweatshirts. Now they’re back with a girl-sized version that can be made with just one X-Large sweatshirt. Go to their tutorial.
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Read all about it: Another reason for skipped stitches
If your machine is skipping stitches, the problem may end up being something other than tension, needle, thread, or presser foot. It may, in fact, be the placement of the needle within the opening of the throat plate. That’s what … Read More...