Fabric & Sewing How-To Guides

Infinity scarves are a trendy accessory that can be worn year round, depending on the weight of the fabric. They are super simple to make, so it's a great project for beginner sewers. They also make a great handmade gift! I'm using a cotton print, but a jersey knit is a popular choice because it's stretchy and has a nice drape. Lightweight fabrics, like gauze, chiffon, or stretch lace are perfect for warm weather.

Ice dyeing is a really fun technique with unexpected and beautiful results. Cathy, Jen, and I each dyed an item using different dyes, colors, and ways of manipulating the fabric. Watch the video or read below to see how they turned out! We used Rit Powder Dye and Dylon Dye. We also have many more awesome dyeing techniques that you can find here.

Cruella de Vil is an iconic Disney villain that everyone loves to hate. In this tutorial I'm using White Dalmatian Velboa Faux Fur to recreate her shawl. I also used Velcro to help keep the shawl in place but it's optional.

Holes in the jeans? That's pretty common for most people who love their jeans and wear them out so much that it can create holes. I know, I'm one of them! In this tutorial I took an old pair of my jeans that had a hole in the crotch area and turned them into a jean skirt! I hate throwing clothes away and I always look to see how I can upcycle something to save it from going into the trash.

Burlap table runners are extremely popular for table décor, whether it's for your dining room table or a large wedding. I'm going to decorate this table runner with twine branches and fabric leaves. It would be perfect for the Thanksgiving table, but with different colors, it can be used for many occasions. For other ways to embellish your burlap table runner, try stenciling or adding ribbon. Lace ribbon is particularly popular for weddings.

Making a fabric book cover is super easy. I'm making one for a textbook, but you can use in on any hardcover book, journal, or binder. This is a great back to school project to beautify and protect all your books and binders. You could also use it to add color and pattern to books on a shelf or coffee table.

A cloak is an essential in many cosplay and Halloween costumes, whether you're a wizard, elf, or any of a wide array of period characters. Or if you want to wear it in your everyday life, go for it! You can make cloaks out of many different fabrics depending on the look you want. I picked cotton twill because it's a heavier fabric and is really easy to sew. For the lining, I wanted a lot of shine to contrast the matte outer fabric, so satin was a good option.

Kimonos are comfy and easy to wear with almost anything. This kimono is made out of chiffon fabric making it light and flowy. You can use other fabrics like voile and charmeuse for the same weight and flow. By using a sheer fabric it makes the Kimono breathable and allows the garments underneath to show through. You can also wear it as a bathing suit cover-up.

One of our finds from this year's Brimfield Antique Flea Market was an old beat up book shelf. The wood was scratched and the back was stained, but with a little fabric and RustOleum paint I was able to transform it into a unique rustic shelf. Check out some highlights from our trip to Brimfield.

We picked up this industrial wire basket at the world-famous Brimfield Antique Flea Market. This is a basket from Kaspar Wire Works, but you can find this type of wire basket many places. I'm going to weave strips of fabric through it to make a unique decorative storage basket. This is a no sew project that's great for using all your old scraps of fabric on. See what else we found at Brimfield.

This simple DIY floor cushion makes for comfortable seating for the living room, bedroom, or playroom. The optional zipper opening makes it easy to switch out the pillow form if it starts to get flat.

An ironing mat is a great addition to a sewing or craft space, and is sometimes more convenient than an ironing board. You can make it any size you want with the cotton fabric of your choice, and the heat resistant fabric will protect your table top. When not in use simply roll up the mat and tie it for easy storage.

This simple tutorial shows you how to make a circle skirt with a zipper using a versatile décor fabric. By using a drapery fabric, it gives the skirt more weight and volume. You can also use cotton broadcloth or linen.

Hemming a gown with multiple layers can be tricky and time consuming. In this tutorial, Jen shows you how to hem a gown with tulle and a lining underneath without any hassle.

I'm going to make a simple flanged pillow sham with an envelope back. The flange refers to the extra fabric around the edges. You can use quilting weight cotton, sheeting, or décor fabric. Customize your pillow sham in any way you want. Want to make a matching duvet cover?

If you can't find the exact duvet cover you want, make it! You can use quilting weight cottons, sheeting fabric, broadcloth, pre-made flat sheets, or decor fabric. Choose different fabrics for the front and back if you want it to be reversible. Or you can use a flat sheet on the bottom and a more decorative fabric on top. Making your own duvet cover may not necessarily be cheaper that buying one, depending on the fabric, but you can get exactly what you want.

If you like the look of a wallpaper feature wall, but you're renting or are afraid of commitment, fabric wallpaper is the way to go. It's easy to apply to the wall using liquid starch, and it's also easy to peel off when you're ready to take it down. Light to medium weight cotton fabrics work well, like quilting fabric or drapery fabric. Other natural fibers like linen or linen blends can also be used. Polyester and other synthetic materials may not adhere as well and should be tested before doing a whole wall.

Pencil pleats are thin, even pleats used in drapery headings, valances, and bed skirts. Using shirring tape makes creating these pleats simple. You can control how tight or loose you want the pleats. Like the fabric used in this project? Drapery fabric isn't just for decor.

This simple tutorial shows you how to make baby burp cloths using a bit of fabric and a cloth diaper. These burp cloths make great personalized gifts for baby showers.

There are many creative ways to take an inexpensive piece of furniture and turn it into something unique. I'm going to be transforming an Ikea side table by covering it with vinyl and adding a decorative nail head trim. Adding nail head trim is a great way to add interest to an otherwise plain piece of furniture from headboards to chairs to tables.

Protect your glasses from the elements with this easy eyeglass case, made from vinyl with a velvet lining. You can use this simple DIY project to make cases for your prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses. You can use any fabric you'd like on the outside, but make sure your lining fabric is soft.

This felt shamrock is quick and easy to make and involves very little sewing. You can make a bunch to hang as a garland, or as decorations in a clear vase.

This no sew jersey scarf can be worn with different outfits all year round. You can wrap it around once or twice depending on the look that you want, and it's lightweight and super easy to make.

Lace maxi skirts are great for spring and summer because they're light and breathable. This maxi skirt has a stretchy spandex lining, making it easy to wear. You could also make a skirt like this for colder weather if you extend the length of the lining.

Koozies are great to have at home, in the car, or take to parties. This fabric koozie is sized for a bottle or can, but the insulation works for both hot and cold beverages.

Coasters are great for protecting your tables, especially if you entertain a lot. I'm going to show how to make an easy decorative coaster out of cotton fabric and batting. I chose to use holiday fabrics and make my own bias tape but you can also buy pre-made bias tape and use colors and prints that match your home décor.

Gauze scarves like this one are perfect for spring because they're lightweight and versatile. You can also wear it as a head wrap.

Shag rugs add a fun, decorative look to bedrooms, playrooms, and more. I'm using different colored fabrics, but you can use just 1 color if you prefer. Jersey cotton is best to use because it doesn't fray, but other soft fabrics will work well too. It's also a great way to recycle old t-shirts.

Tulle skirts aren't just for kids! Today I'm going to show you how to make an adult-size tulle skirt that involves no sewing. You can make it a solid color or use alternating colors. This skirt uses a ribbon around the waist, but you can also use elastic.

If you're looking for a few simple holiday decorations, you've come to the right place. These projects won't take up a lot of time and money to make, you don't even need a sewing machine. Got a closet full of scrap fabric? These projects are perfect for for getting rid of your leftovers.