Active Arts & Crafts Posts

How To: Make a Man with Oshibori Origami

An oshibori is a Japanese wet hand towel. With an oshibori you can make all kinds of things, just like origami. Oshibori Origami is the latest Japanese craze sweeping the nation! Instead of paper, we're making origami from wet Japanese hand towels. Oshibori origami is easier than traditional origami, and more fun, too!

How To: Origami a buffet server or napkin

Learn how to make an origami paper buffet server for kids. This origami animation is brief and to the point. If you are looking for a no frills origami tutorial, this video is for you! Learn how to make a cute origami napkin to hold your silverware.

How To: Fold an origami Guy Fawkes Day mask

Guy Fawkes Night (or Day as it's known stateside, and commonly called Bonfire, Cracker, or Fireworks night) celebrates the anniversary of Catholic conspirators attempting to blow up the Parliament houses in London. Celebrated on November 5th, Guy Fawkes is traditionally hung in effigy and many parade around in Guy Fawkes mask. This mask may be particularly familiar thanks the movie "V for Vendetta" as the mask worn by V. This video tutorial from MIT students, shows how to fold this origami Gu...

How To: Origami a shirt

Watch this instructional origami video to fold an origami business shirt. You will need one piece of pink origami paper to complete this origami project. Don't forget to draw the necktie on your origami shirt.

How To: Origami a paper rose

While you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear, you can make a rose out of a single square of paper and call it whatever name you want. Origami is, of course, the traditional Japanese art of paper-folding to create any shape imaginable. Make a rose when you don't have the money to buy someone the real thing, or even as a gift that will last. Watch this video crafting tutorial and learn how to origami a folded paper rose.

How To: Make knitting needles

This video demonstrates how to make your own knitting needles. These are made out of wood. Double pointed needles, if you get frustrated with the aluminum needles sliding out of your work these wooden ones would solve that problem. Straight needles; most people prefer aluminum for these needles because your work slides easier. Cable needles; wooden needles would work well for these because a cable stitch can be made more difficult with slippery aluminum needles Make knitting needles.

How To: Begin Inkle weaving

Watch this instructional weaving video to begin weaving on an inkle loom. Inkle weaving is a type of weaving where the weave is created by manually raising or lowering the warp yarns on a loom known as an inkle loom. Inkle weaving was brought to the United States in the 1930s. We know that the inkle loom predates the Shakespearian era, due to a reference to the inkle loom in Love's Labour's Lost. Inkle weaving is usually used for narrow work such as trims, straps and belts.

How To: Mount a quilt top

These two quilting how to videos demonstrate the proper way to mount a quilt top. Watch and learn as our host shows you tips and tricks not only for mounting the quilt top but for quilting in general.

How To: Quilt bias binding

This instructional video demonstrates how to quilt 5 yards of bias binding with a small amount of fabric. The secret of bias binding is to begin with a square that is sewn shut on all four sides, like a pillow. These simple guidelines show you some quick tips to make sewing binding fast and easy.

How To: Upgrade your suitcase with customized, printed designs

If your bags have seen too many highways and byways, treat them to a first-class upgrade with this idea from Rust-Oleum and ReadyMade: Give world-weary luggage a new lease on life with Rust-Oleum paint and hit the road, stat. Spray paint a stenciled image on your suitcase to update and personalize your look! You will need an image, rustoleum spray paint, a utility knife, masking tape, spray adehsive, rubber gloves and a mask. Cut out your bold simple design and use as a stencil. Use a spray p...

How To: Hide short yarn tails

After you finally finish crocheting your piece, what are you supposed to do with that tail? This how-to video demonstrates a trick for hiding the end within the stitches of your project. Watch this video crocheting tutorial and learn how to hide short yarn tails.

How To: Make an album greeting card

This how-to video demonstrates a great greeting card that the recipient can treasure afterwards as a photo album. Follow along with the steps as the demonstrator creates this piece of greeting card art. Watch this video crafting tutorial and learn how to make an album greeting card.

How To: Create a watercolor technique with ink pads

This how-to video demonstrates the right skills for stamping with a watercolor technique. You will need non-running inks to stamp the initial image, a specialty brush pen, and watercolor paper. This watercolor effect is pretty, and can add some different texture to your stamped images. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a watercolor look with stamps.

How To: Do the square or box and circle stitch for lanyards

This how-to video demonstrates everything you need to know for lanyard needs. Follow along and find out how to start and finish a lanyard using the square of box stitch (or the circle stitch) throughout. All you need is two lengths of plastic thread. Use your lanyard as a keychain, or to hang a whistle onto. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a lanyard using the square or box as well as the circle stitch.