I’m always excited when I see a new pattern drafting video by Emily Tao!  In one of her newest additions to her library of video tutorials, she shows how to modify a shirt pattern to add pleats at … Read More...

Merrick from Merricks Art shows how to add a sparkly sequined shoulder to a plain tee.  Go to her tute.

[photo from Merricks Art]

Ann from The Velvet Aubergine organized all of her double-pointed knitting needles into a set of drawstring bags.  Each bag is labeled with the size of the needles stored inside.  Now she can easily find the size she needs for … Read More...

Pam from Threading My Way shows how she shortens sleeves that have cuffs.  When she’s done, you can’t even tell she shortened them.  It’s actually not that difficult, but you’ll need to have a seam ripper handy.  Go to her … Read More...

Ironing three-dimensional objects (garments with darts, for example) on a flat surface doesn’t always work out.  Sometimes you need a curved surface.  That’s what a tailor’s ham is for.  You can buy one at the fabric store, or you can … Read More...

Margot Potter shares a tutorial at I Love to Create showing how to add bright color and fun designs to a plain skirt.   First she tie-dyes the skirt and then uses fabric markers to draw funky designs over the color … Read More...

Jamie from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom shows how to make a throw pillow covered with ruffles. She keeps the ruffles raw-edged for a delightfully shabby look.  (It also saves tons of time by not having to hem all … Read More...

Stephanie from Henry Happened shows how she painted a purchased tote bag to create this monogrammed tote with a rubber coated bottom.  The rubber coating strengthens the inexpensive tote so it can better stand up to wear and tear.  And … Read More...

Meredith from Wait Till Your Father Gets Home! shows how to make a set of picnic-style placemats. Use them at your table or on an actual picnic. They have a pocket for a napkin and a strap to hold the … Read More...

WobiSobi shows how to make this  leather business card holder. The sides are held together with metal rivets, so there’s no sewing required.  Go to her blog for the DIY.

[photo from WobiSobi]

If you want to use some of the fancy decorative stitches on your sewing machine, check out this tutorial at Sew4Home.  They show how to use your decorative stitches to make pretty throw pillow covers.   Go to their tutorial… Read More...

Monica from Adirondack Inspired recently showed off a pair of rain pants she made for her kids.  Now she’s back with a tutorial giving us a step-by-step so we can make some, too. They’re made from a water resistant material … Read More...

Mandy from Sugar Bee Crafts shows how to make a vinyl luggage tag.  Hers is made from a bright turquoise vinyl so it’s easy to spot on a luggage carousel.  She found the vinyl in the home dec section of … Read More...

Bridgit from Wag Doll shows how to make her Gingham and Ruffles Tote Bag.  She made it to hold her projects (sewing, knitting, crochet, etc.) but it would also be nice to tote books to the library.  Go to her … Read More...

A standard pillowcase can be turned into a cute little girl’s dress or a skirt, but you can also turn it into a pair of child’s pajama pants.  Mama Fish shares a tutorial.  Go to her blog to see how … Read More...

If you want to make a dress form that’s an exact copy of your own body, a duct tape dress form might be the way to go.  They’re inexpensive to make and don’t require fussy measuring.  Deby from So Sew … Read More...

Becky from U Create shows how she made a simple doll’s dress out of a woman’s skirt.  The waistband of the skirt became the bodice, and the side zipper became back closure.  Go to U Create for the how-to.… Read More...

Portia from Miss P shares a two-part tutorial showing how she made these appliqued throw pillow covers.  Each has a four-letter word stitched to the front.  (But these are nice four-letter words, like HOME and SNUG and LOVE.)  Go to … Read More...