Upcycle your old T-shirts into a classy and fashionable corset top! All you need are some basic sewing notions, in addition to eyelets and eyelet pliers. Embellish your corset top with ribbon, appliques, rhinestones or any other accessory you fancy.
This is not a tutorial on how to sew a real corset, rather, how to sew a corset style top. You will need some fashion fabric, eyelets, an eyelet attachment tool, ribbon, scissors, pins, measuring tape, tailor's chalk and of course, a sewing machine.
You can buy a pre made corset pattern from a manufacturer, or, if you really want to start from scratch, you can draft your own pattern. This tutorial shows you how to take your measurements and translate that into a custom fit corset pattern.
Grommets and eyelets are the metal rings that reinforce the holes in your corset, through which you thread the cording. This tutorial gives you some good advice on choosing, placing and attaching grommets and eyelets to your own hand sewn corsets.
A corset is not necessarily a difficult thing to sew, but it does require a lot of precision. Here are a few good tips you'll want to learn and follow when you're trying to teach yourself sewing and corset making at home.
Precision is important when you're making a garment as closely form fitting as a corset, and pinning your garment together is no different. Make sure that the panels for your corset are snugly, securely and accurately pinned together before you start sewing.
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.
When you first buy a corset from a retailer, you will need to give the thread and fabric the chance to shape itself according to your own personal shape. Here is the best way to break in or season a new corset to make it last longer.
This tutorial shows you two different techniques for creating a boning channel when you're making a corset. You will need the corset boning and a pressing bar, along with some bias tape (or the ability to make your own) and a few other sewing notions.
This is a great and attractive shirt - a corset tank top. You don't need a pattern to make this, just some fabric, lining and ribbon. You'll also need some basic sewing notions and access to a sewing machine to sew this very basic item.
This is an easy tutorial that will go well with any Renaissance Faire outfit or similar costume. By using two different types of fabric, you can even make it reversible and increase the number of costumes you can wear it with.
Repurpose your old T-shirts! Create a fun summer look by creating a halter top/corset style look out of an old T-shirt. All you need is a sharp pair of scissors and a few embellishements or accessories. You won't even need a sewing machine.
The perfect undergarment for your Victorian costume re-creation. You don't need any pattern, just take your measurements and get a yard or so of thin, lightweight fabric. Then cut, pin, sew and finish. Your own pair of Victorian inspired bloomer pants!
Lolita, hime or Little Bo Beep - this skirt will serve all those costume functions! Sew an easy ruffled skirt and then use elastic to gather the waistband and create the outer ruffle. You don't need a pattern, just your measurements and a sewing machine!
Depending on the fabric you choose, this could be part of your Lolita costume or a professional skirt. Sew a skirt with one inch box pleats, without needing a pattern. Get your fabric, measurements and some basic sewing supplies together, and you're ready to go!
The dirndl skirt is cut straight and gathered at the waist, and is a traditional style of German or Austrian skirts. Due to the cut and the flare, it's an ideal skirt for Lolita style costumes, and this tutorail shows you how to sew a dirndl without a pattern.
A great and simple way to add a little to your Renaissance Faire costume or costume closet - sew a peasant style top. All you need are a few yards of loose white fabric, your measurements and some basic sewing tools.
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 is a great project to make a fun and feminine shirt. All you need is one piece of fabric cut in a circle, a few basic notions and a sewing machine. No pattern required, just make sure you have your measurements at hand!
Start with two rectangles of fabric, both the same size. You will also need a short zipper and a few basic sewing supplies (pins and a sewing machine). Then just follow along with this video to make your own zippered change purse!
Circle skirts are easy, and look good on nearly any figure. You can sew your own without needing a pattern at all - just pick your under fabric and over fabric, then follow along with this tutorial for a retro chic addition to your wardrobe.
Ruffles are incredibly easy to make, though they are time consuming. Get a length of your chosen fabric, and then follow along with this tutorial to make an elegant and fun ruffled ribbon that you can use as an embellishment, a headband or an accessory.
On average, a wedding will cost you $27,000. If you want a designer gown, that'll probably rack up to about $30,000. So it's advisable to cut costs wherever you can.
A strapless dress is a smoldering, make-'em-weak-in-the-knees choice for any glamorous occasion. But getting both a beautiful dress and one that fits you to a tee is rather difficult.
When it comes to quirky homemade DIY, cords - made from rope, twine, or other materials - aren't usually used in many projects. Other than tying nautical knots, it seems they're quite defunct.
Knitting, ladies and gents, is not just for grannies who have too much time on their hands. In fact, knitting is fun and quite addicting once you get the basics down.
Get a sewing machine for the holidays? Buying one for yourself? Like any machine, a sewing machine needs some basic maintenance to keep running properly. Make sure lint doesn't build up around the feed dogs, and oil the parts once a year to keep things running smoothly.
Trying to figure out what to do with the scrap fabric in your stash? This tutorial shows you how you can make a no sew apron by raiding your stash. Dress it up by adding your own appliques, patches or embellishments.
This is the perfect tutorial for beginners who are interesting in learning how to quilt. Start with a basic abstract pattern and your favorite colors of fabric (you can use scraps if you wish as well), then follow the video and make your first quilt!
Acne sucks - or, more correctly, acne oozes. Which is why it's so important to take care of your skin with oil-reducing, calming products. Most anti-acne medications you can buy are severely drying and irritating, meaning they can cause the adverse effect of making your skin compensate by producing even more oil.
Make your own pyjama knickers! This is a great tutorial that a beginning sewer can use to hone their skills. You don't need very much fabric - just some elastic and a few basic sewing notions as well as your sewing machine.
Are your socks developing holes? A gap in your favorite scarf? You don't have to throw them out! Darning is a technique used to rejoin a knitted garment that has become undone, and this video shows you how to become your own darner.
Embroidery is a useful skill to develop so you can add your own embelllishemnts to favorite clothes, and it's not as difficult as it seems. This tutorial, perfect for beginners, shows you how to create a simple embroidery pattern using the basic chain stitch.
Love the look of vintage? You don't have continuously prowl vintage stores - make your own inspired skirt! All you need is your favorite fabric and a few sewing notions (matching thread, scissors, pins, and of course, a sewing machine).
This video represents a union between two spheres of crafting - sewing and cardmaking. You can create some decorative stitching on your handmade greeting cards by using your sewing machine. Here's how you can sew on paper without ruining the paper or cardstock.
Often times, when you buy ready to wear clothes, you'll get a garment where the buttons are sewn on very loosely. To keep the buttons from popping off, here is how you can reinforce the buttons on your pants or other garments.
If you are consistently finding that the cuffs of your jeans and pants are too long, you can use this tutorial series, which will show you how to professionally alter your pants. Cut off the excess, and then resew a stylish new hem.
Tailors can be expensive, but you can be your own tailor! This tutorial shows you how to take a pair of pants that might be a bit too big around the waist and take them in using professional tailoring techniques.
The trouble with jewelry that's been made by a mass retailer or even a hipster/indie artist is that it's made without any care to your wrist, neck, or finger size. Often this means that bracelets may sling too big, or necklaces wrap around your neck too tight.
This is a great home decor tip that will definitely save on your budget. You can use discontinued designer fabrics for this. Cut your swatches into strips and then sew to match your pillow. Then just add a sturdy zipper and you're done!
If your jeans have worn out from wearing them all winter, don't throw them out! You can easily recycle them into a cute pair of summer sandals! All you will need, apart from the jeans, are a few basic sewing notions.
There are so many choices at the craft stores when you go to buy some new stamps! Do you get wood or acrylic? How do you choose the best one? This video shows you everything you'll ever need to know when it comes to stamp types.
Don't throw out your old, worn out jeans - repurpose them! This video shows you how to take some of your old blue jeans and transform them into a useful, elegant and classy denim pouch. All you need are a few basic sewing supplies.
Sifting through your closet, you've found a bunch of clothes that are still wearable but hopelessly out of date. Instead of waiting for the fashions to cycle around again, here are a few tips on how you can update old clothes.
You don't have to use your own wedding dress - just use one you find at a thrift store! This tutorial shows you a great way to take an old and outdated wedding dress and turn it into a chic dress.
Collect all your old and worn jeans, then cut off the hems, cuffs and seams. Sew them all together onto a piece of backing fabric, and you have your own floor mat or rag rug. A great way to recycle old clothes.
Sometimes jeans are just beyond repair, but it doesn't seem quite right to throw them away. This video gives you a few good ideas on how you can upcycle a worn out pair of jeans into a lampshade or notebook cover.
Start with a wool sweater, which you can easily find in any thrift or vintage store. Then felt it by running it through the dryer a couple of times to shrink it. Now you're ready to turn it into an elegant capelet!
This is a quick and easy shortcut that shows you how to simulate the needle turn effect when you're attaching a fabric applique. This also helps you hide a raw edge, which gives your entire project a cleaner and more professional look.
A drawstring bag has a thousand different uses, and it's a great way to use up some of the bigger scraps in your fabric stash. This tutorial shows you a quick and easy way to sew a lined drawstring bag.
Sewing a curved hem, such as a cuff or sleeve, can sometimes be tricky. Frustrated because your curved hems never lay flat and smooth? This tutorial shows you a few good techniques you can use to easily sew a professional looking curved hem.
This seam is ideal for use on garments that will be washed often, such as lingerie or children's wear. It also adds a professional, finished look to your final garment. Here's an easy and quick way to sew your own French seam.
Don't be intimidated by this couture technique - it's actually quite easy! Sew a silk ribbon binding to your project as a way to stabilize it. All you need is the ribbon, your fabric and a few extra sewing notions.
Korean artist Cheong-ah Hwang creates three-dimensional paper art by layering pieces of cut paper upon pieces, decoupage-style. The paper bird is fantastic, as well as her Obi Wan Kenobi & more. Scroll down for process photos.
Now that Valentine's Day is only a month away, it's time to start thinking about how you're going to be surprising your sweetheart. While a bouquet of red roses and a box o' chocolates is always a good call, you can make your gift much more personal by adorning a package or a card with one of these origami roses.
Butterflies are truly beautiful, delicate creatures. And while many people enjoy collecting them post mortem to stash like collectibles under glass, we personally find that a little creepy.
Butterflies are delicate and beautiful creatures, which is why many people enjoy collecting them post mortem to stash like collectibles under glass. But we personally find that a little creepy.
This dolphin may not be able to swim and jump around magnificently out of water and back in again, but it is very cute and a great way to hone your origami folding skills.
We know that there is some seriously impressive origami out there. From 30-sided modular origami spheres to magic cubes and advanced, rounded figures like dragons, the world of origami offers so much to create if only you practice.
Origami flowers are usually quite feminine and realistic. But this origami flower imparts more of a geometric, abstract interpretation of flower petals than most. And while this origami folding tutorial is meant for creating an eight-sided origami flower, it can just as easily pass for an eight-sided star.
