Fabric & Sewing How-To Guides

Sleeveless blouses are one of the top apparel items for summer, and in this tutorial I chose to make one out of challis fabric. To off set the black and white pattern I am using a 7″ lipstick pink zipper to give it some color and contrast.

Want a space efficient way to store your shoes? This organizer is going to make your tidying up dreams come true. Here's how to make a hanging organizer for the inside of your closet or the back of a door. It is super customizable, just use any decor fabric as a base and clear vinyl for the pockets. It can also be modified to different sizes to hold other things like jewelry or toiletries.

Ruffle skirts are fun to make for adults and children. The one I make in this tutorial is a medium adult size skirt out of a solid jersey knit fabric. You can also mix and match prints and colors for the layers to give it a fun look.

During these chilly winter months newborn calves aren't big enough to create the body heat necessary to keep them warm. So, if you've been looking for a cheap way to keep your newborns warm let us help by showing you how to make a calf blanket. This design is super easy to put on your calf and even easier to adjust as they grow. Nylon fabric is durable and water resistant so it can withstand the weather and not get soggy. We used a medium weight nylon pack cloth, for the outer fabric and lightweight nylon ripstop for the lining.

This DIY tutorial will teach you how to make your own cosmetic bag and brush holder out of oilcloth fabric and ribbon. It's an average size and has an easy design making it simple to sew and construct. The size of this makeup bag is great because it will hold all the essentials and is small enough to travel with.

Tote bags are super useful and can be made in all sorts of sizes, so you can never have too many! You can make them many different ways, but this tote bag features a recessed zipper to keep the contents of the bag secure. The size I made is perfect to use as a Mahjong bag but you can make it any size you want. (I made these as gifts for my Mahjong-loving aunts! ) You can also add interior and exterior zippers or more pockets to fit your needs.

Yoga mats are awkward to carry on their own so I'm going to make a yoga mat bag. It has a zipper compartment, a pocket, and is fully lined. The zipper opening makes it easy to put the yoga mat in and take it out.

I have here a chair which has seen better days, so I'm going to make a slipcover for it. You can use many different fabrics like denim, twill, canvas, or home décor fabric. The techniques in this tutorial can be adapted to many other styles of chairs and couches. One of the great things about slipcovers is they're washable. Whether you're covering ugly or stained upholstery or want to protect nice upholstery, making your own slipcovers is inexpensive and practical.

Old spools like this one are fairly common at antique shops and tag sales. I found this one at the Brimfield flea market last year. It says "Bethlehem Strand", and probably held wire rope made at the now defunct Bethlehem Steel in Pennsylvania. I'm going to give it new life by turning it into a rustic ottoman. The top will be removable so it can double as a coffee table.

By making your own oven mitts you can choose the fabric and trim that matches your kitchen decor. Or you can make it more eclectic like I did by using a fun print such as the the Amy Butler Harriet's Kitchen Sugar fabric. What's great about this tutorial is that you can custom make these oven mitts to the size of your hands by following the instructions below.

There's all different kinds of lunch bags that you could make. The difference with this one is that it's not only easy to make but also easy to put food in fold, snap, and go. It's hassle free, durable, and will keep your food warm or cold with it's thick interlining. Watch below to learn how to make your own and let us know how it turned out!

Learn how to make a no-sew valance that has pleats at the corners and an accent band at the bottom. This simple design will go with many décor styles. You can also make variations with box pleats or add decorative trim to make it your own. Add this valance to existing curtains, sheers, or blinds, or make matching custom curtains!

Many of our curtain tutorials have been at more of a DIY level, but for these inverted box pleat curtains, we're going to take it up a notch. The difference is that with professional looking curtains, you won't see any visible topstitching on the front and more of the work will be done by hand. This takes more time, but still, any patient DIY-er can do it. You can use these techniques with any other heading style to create many different kinds of professional looking curtains. Take a look at our other drapery tutorials for more ways to make curtains.

Handbags and pocketbooks can be expensive, so why not make your own? If you're not a fan of leather, vinyl is a great alternative because it's less expensive and easier to work with. This handbag has pockets on the front and back, great for easy access to your phone and keys. There's also plenty of interior storage space including a zipper compartment and interior pockets.

Roman shades give windows a clean appearance that goes well with many styles from traditional to modern. There are many ways to make Roman shades. With the method shown here, there's minimal stitching visible on the front for a professional look. This shade is made with wooden dowels (as opposed to the mini blind method). If you plan on raising and lowering the Roman shade a lot, it's worth using a cord lock and pulleys so it operates smoothly and easily.

Messenger bags are great for any and all organizational needs, especially school supplies like notebooks, pens/pencils, and laptops. Here we used two 100% cotton fabrics, one for the outside and one for parts of the lining, but you can use just one fabric for both if you prefer.

This infinity dress is versatile and can be worn many ways. The one I'm going to make is a size medium. Spandex or jersey knit work best because of its stretch. You can wear this dress all year round depending on how you style it. It's also super comfy!

Poufs are a trendy and functional décor item, but they can be pricey. By creating your own, you can save money and make it exactly how you want. You can use your pouf as an ottoman or foot rest, as extra seating, or as floor pillows. They're especially great for kids' spaces.

Pocket organizers are handy to hold many different things for many different ages. Kids can use it for toys and storybooks, teens can organize homework by subject, and adults can use it to brighten up their cubicle or office. You can add more pockets or change the size to meet your organizational needs. This one is perfect for the office or work space because it is sized to fit file folders. You also have the option of adding clear pockets for labels.

This high waist skirt has pleats on the front and the back and has a zipper on the side. To keep it is simple there is no interfacing or lining. You can wear this type of skirt all year round and you can also use hook and eye closures instead of a zipper.

At concerts and other events, or even just running errands, I found myself constantly wanting to ditch my large handbag in favor of something that would just carry the essentials like my cell phone, a credit card, ID and maybe some cash. I couldn't find what I wanted, so why not make my own! This phone wristlet has a simple design that's a good project for someone looking to get into bag making. No zippers, just two pockets and a snap. The sewing pattern is free to download and try out for yourself!

This envelope clutch is the perfect size for an iPad or tablet. It has a magnetic snap closure, a soft felt lining, and a zipper compartment on the back for cords and accessories. You can use a medium weight drapery fabric, a heavier upholstery fabric, or even vinyl as the outer fabric. The wool felt lining provides cushioning, or a simple broadcloth is another option for the lining, especially if you're not using it as a tablet case. The envelope clutch is sturdy and holds its shape well thanks to a heavy interfacing.

This herringbone quilt is an easy pattern that's great for beginner quilters. It can be adapted to any size quilt from king to crib. The design can work for many styles and ages depending on the combination of colors and fabrics you pick. You can also easily make it into a zig zag chevron pattern if you prefer. The patterned fabric used to make the quilt is all hand dyed.

This decorative pillow cover is made using a strip quilt technique to create a pattern. If you haven't quilted before, that's not a problem. Doing a smaller project like this is a good introduction. You can also use this technique to make a larger quilt.

The lace is stretchy so it forms to the body well and is comfortable and easy to move in (especially in the arms). The built-in lining covers the torso from the chest down, leaving the shoulders, upper chest, and upper back sheer. Check out the step-by-step tutorial below to see how to make this blouse! You can use raschel lace if you want a more structured look. If you're using a stretch fabric, always use a stretch lining.

Glitz Sequin fabrics are stunning and stretchier than you may think. Because of their stretch, it makes it a lot easier to design and sew fitted garments like this high-waist pencil sequin skirt. With fabrics that are stretchy, you always have to line them with a stretch lining so both fabrics stretch together and don't tear. In this case, I chose a stretch charmeuse fabric because it's a little fancier than a spandex or jersey knit, but both of those would work too.

Learn how to make a boxed pencil pouch with this easy step-by-step sewing tutorial. This beginner-friendly project is perfect for organizing pens, pencils, makeup, craft supplies, and more.

Follow along with Cameron as he whips up one of his favorite sewing projects, a denim wallet. These wallets can be customized with different inner linings and outer accessories like patches.

Last time we covered a variety of basic seams, so lets try some more complex ones! Here I'll be going over how to sew a French Seam, a Double-Top Stitch Seam, a Flat-Felled Seam, a Welt Seam, a Tucked Seam, and a Lapped Seam. This set of seams are all reinforced and some enclose the selvedge within the seam. All of these seams add durability and finishing touches to your work.

Today I'm going to talk about a bag I made to store my knitting projects. I did so by modifying a pattern for a pillowcase that I learned in my sewing class. I then added buttonholes for a drawstring. This project features encased seams, which means the raw edges of the seams will not be visible. I like using this so that the threads of the fabric don't get tangled with the yarn and it has a smooth finish inside.