Easy Sewing Projects

Instructions Step 1: Lay on flat surface Lay your hoodie on a flat surface with the zipper closed. Step 2: Slide the belt Slide the belt through both sleeves, then buckle the belt. TIP: The belt will serve as the bag’s shoulder strap, so buckle it at a length that will be comfortable for you. …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare the fabric Prepare the fabric. Measure and cut two circles with 3-foot diameters and three 3- by 3-foot squares. Then, cut a 1½- by 1 ½-foot square. TIP: Experiment with different fabrics to make beanbags that complement any room. Step 2: Start the fill hole Cut a foot long slit in …

Instructions Step 1: Identify your skill level Identify your skill level before searching for a kit. The art of cross-stitch may be learned by children as young as five, as well as elderly crafters. Step 2: Determine project type Determine the type of project you wish to stitch, whether a masterpiece for framing, a baby …

Instructions Step 1: Apply the topping and stabilizer Apply a water-soluble topping to the design area of the towel while positioning a cutaway stabilizer on the opposite side, out of sight. The topping will ensure your design won’t be lost in the material and dissolves in water, while the stabilizer gives structure and is permanent. …

Instructions Step 1: Lay hoodie face up Lay the hoodie front side up on a table, with the hood and arms outstretched. Step 2: Place computer on it Place the laptop widthwise on the chest section of the sweatshirt, just below the neckline. Step 3: Fold up bottom Fold the bottom of half of the …

Instructions Step 1: Choose shirt Choose a shirt that is long enough to wear as a mini dress when the collar is held just above your bust line. TIP: Women’s shirts are best, since they have back darts. Shoulder darts, usually found on men’s shirts, will hamper the fit of your dress. Step 2: Hold …

Instructions Step 1: Center pillow case in hoop Center the pillow case inside the embroidery hoop, being sure to make the fabric taut to make stitching easier. Step 2: Locate pattern Locate an embroidery pattern and apply it to the fabric using an iron-on transfer or a disappearing ink marker. TIP: Disappearing ink markers are …

Instructions Step 1: Measure Take your measurements at the largest part of your chest, your waist, and the largest part of your hips. Step 2: Lay out sweater Lay the sweater on a flat surface. It should be long enough to wear as a mini dress. Step 3: Mark the sweater Use the chalk to …

Instructions Step 1: Upload the photo Scan or upload the photo to your computer and open the file in an image editing program. Crop out unwanted portions of the photo. Step 2: Edit the photo Resize the photo to the size of the pattern. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and color levels to make the photo …

Instructions Step 1: Remove or raise clothing Remove your shirt or raise it above your waistline and lower your pants. Step 2: Find your waist Use your fingers to find the top of your hip bone at your side. Your waist is the soft area just above the hip bone, below your rib cage. Step …

Instructions Step 1: Turn skirt inside out Turn the skirt inside out, fold the hem up 1 inch and pin it into place. Step 2: Sew the hem Sew the hem into place using the sewing machine, removing the pins as you go. Leave a small hole where you can feed elastic into the hem. …

Instructions Step 1: Take off shoes Put on your best-fitting pair of pants; then stand with your back against a wall. TIP: Don’t wear shoes when you’re measuring your inseam. Step 2: Place notebook between legs Hold the notebook or folder between your legs at the very top of your inner thighs. Place it so …

Instructions Step 1: Wash fabric Wash the fabric to remove any finishing and to preshrink it. TIP: Adding white vinegar to your wash will help keep colors from bleeding. Step 2: Cut front Cut a piece of fabric to the same size as the front of the pillow form. If the pillow is firm, add …

Instructions Step 1: Cut the twine Cut one strand of twine about 6 times longer than the length you want your bracelet to be. Then cut a second strand twice the length of the first strand. Fold each strand at its midpoint and make a knot about 1/2-inch from the top. Hold the knot in …

Instructions Step 1: Measure Measure the window for which you will be making curtains and determine the length at which you would like the curtains to fall. TIP: Measure the length of the curtains from the curtain rod to the point below the window where they will end. Curtains should extend out past the window …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare jeans Cut the legs off of your jeans and open up the seams on each side of the pant leg with a seam ripper. Measure and cut the fabric lengthwise into long, one-inch-wide strips with scissors or a strip cutter. TIP: If you don’t have enough denim on hand, shop for …

Instructions Step 1: Fold the ribbon Fold the ribbon into a figure 8, three times. Trim the excess ribbon with scissors, and repeat to make a second bow. TIP: Apply liquid fray check, available in craft stores, to the ends of your ribbon to avoid fraying edges. Step 2: Sew the bows Use your needle …

Instructions Step 1: Determine length Put on the jeans with the shoes that you will usually wear with them. Cuff the pants to the desired length and then mark the length with chalk or a pin. TIP: Have a friend assist you. They can cuff the pants, provide feedback on the length, and mark the …

Instructions Step 1: Place a block of wood in the pant leg Place the small block of wood in one pant leg at the spot you want to distress. Near the knee is a good spot. Step 2: Rub a cheese grater on the spot to distress Rub a cheese grater horizontally and vertically over …

Instructions Step 1: Wear the T-shirt Pull on the long T-shirt, which should hang at about knee-length. Have your friend wrap duct tape horizontally around the shirt, starting at the bottom, snug at your thighs and hips, but loose around your waist. Step 2: Allow for breasts Use smaller strips of tape to cover your …

Instructions Step 1: Select a dye Select a suitable dye, which will be depend on the type of leather you are working with. Alcohol-based dyes add a strong color to leather, but tend to stiffen it. Water-based dyes do not add as strong a color, but they are better at preserving the leather’s natural suppleness. …

Instructions Step 1: Measure the length Measure the length you want the skirt to be from the top of the jeans’ waistband down the side seam, adding an inch for the hem. Mark the length across the legs with a pencil. Step 2: Cut off the legs Cut off the legs along the pencil line …

Instructions Step 1: Use an old sweatshirt Use an old hooded sweatshirt, which will look more natural with a little wear and tear. If it’s new, wash and dry it a few times for a broken-in feel. Step 2: Lay it out Lay it out on a flat surface like a table or a floor. …

Instructions Step 1: Let hem out Let the existing hem out of your skirt with scissors or a seam ripper. Step 2: Determine new hemline Try on your skirt and have a friend pin it at the new hemline. Step 3: Fold skirt to new hemline Take the skirt off, turn it inside out, and, …

Instructions Step 1: Read directions Read the directions on the fabric dye box. But on rubber gloves, if you’re using them, and mix the dye and set it aside. Step 2: Fill a large bucket Fill a large bucket with hot water. TIP: The bucket should be big enough for the fabric to move around. …

Instructions Step 1: Make pattern Trace the bottom of the bottle onto the paper and cut out the circle to use as a pattern. TIP: Use a paper grocery bag, leftover wrapping paper, or craft or shipping paper. Step 2: Place bottom pattern on fabric Place the pattern on the small square of fabric, pin …

Instructions Step 1: Make pattern Make a pattern for the tote on the paper and measure two 9- by 3-inch patterns for the handles. Then cut out the patterns with the scissors. TIP: Try using pillowcases. Since the sides are already sewn together, it’s half the work. Step 2: Fold sheet in half, place pattern, …

Instructions Step 1: Cut off buttons and belt loops Cut all of the buttons and belt loops from the waistbands and open the cuffs to make strips. Step 2: Cut backing Measure and cut the non-slip backing fabric to an 18-inch by 32-inch rectangle. Step 3: Arrange pieces on top of backing Lay the non-slip …

Instructions Step 1: Trim any threads or frayed ends Trim any loose threads or frayed ends from the area of your jeans being repaired. Step 2: Cut a patch Cut an iron-on patch to approximately one inch larger than the hole or tear. Step 3: Turn your jeans inside out and pin patch in place …

Instructions Step 1: Make template Make a petal template out of the paper by cutting a piece 1-inch tall by ½-inch wide that tapers to a point at one end. Step 2: Cut petals Use the template to cut four petals from the felt. Arrange them in a row. TIP: Use all one color or …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare garment and patch Prepare your garment and the patch by ensuring that both are clean and dust free. This will allow the patch to adhere more securely to the clothing fabric. Step 2: Trim frayed area Trim frayed areas around the hole or worn area with the scissors. Leave a bit …

Instructions Step 1: Select T-shirt Select an old T-shirt for your project. Use a shirt that is multi-colored, has a favorite pattern or logo, or is one solid color. Step 2: Determine size of scarf Determine the length and width of your new scarf. A standard scarf is 60 to 70 inches long. Step 3: …

Instructions Step 1: Measure the width Measure the width of the window using a tape measure. Step 2: Lay the fabric down and measure Lay the fabric face down. Measure a section that is two and a half times the width of the window, plus two inches for seam allowance. TIP: Marking your measurements with …

Instructions Step 1: Plug in and set up the machine Plug in your machine and set it on a sturdy table. Connect the foot control to the machine and place it on the floor where your foot can easily reach it. TIP: For more comfortable sewing, use an adjustable table or chair to raise or …

Instructions Step 1: Check out machines at local shop Visit your local sewing or fabric shop to see what machines are available. Machines come with many different features. Consider the type of stitching, number of needles, threader, buttonholer, and presser foot. Look for downloadable patterns and features that allow you to turn simple stitches into …

Instructions Step 1: Let hem out Let out the existing hem with a pair of scissors or a seam ripper. Step 2: Try pants on Try the pants on with the shoes you’ll wear them with. Have a friend help determine the right length and pin the pant legs at your new hemline. Step 3: …

Instructions Step 1: Lay a large piece of pattern paper on a broad table. Use the L-square to draw a vertical line, A, representing the Center Front. Draw a horizontal, B, for the waistline. Step 2: Measure from the center of the neck below the Adam’s apple to the navel. On paper, reproduce the length …

Instructions Step 1: Wash and dry your fabric to preshrink it. Step 2: Iron your fabric to get rid of any wrinkles. TIP: Cotton fabrics are easier to iron when they’re a little damp. Step 3: Decide which side of the fabric is the right side. It’s not always any easy choice. Once you figure …

Instructions Step 1: Put the presser foot into the upward position and place a spool of thread into the spool holder. Step 2: Insert the thread into a thread guide near the top of the machine. Bring the thread down to the tension mechanism, slip the thread between the metal discs, and back up. Step …

Instructions Step 1: Remove the original hem using a seam ripper. Step 2: Put on the garment, with shoes, and fold it under to the desired length. Use a floor-length mirror to make sure the new hem is an equal distance from the floor. TIP: Garments should always be washed and dried before hemming to …

Instructions Step 1: Align the fabric to be hemmed and pin it in place. Align any notches, dots, or other pattern markings when pinning the pieces together. TIP: Placing pins perpendicular to the fabric edge about two inches apart will help to keep your fabric in place when sewing. Step 2: To determine seam allowance, …

Instructions Step 1: Place thread on spool pin Put your thread on your machine’s spool pin. Be sure to place the spool cap on top of your thread to keep it secure and untangled. Step 2: Wind thread through bobbin guide Wind the thread through your machine’s bobbin guide. If you’re refilling a bobbin in …

Instructions Step 1: Take your measurements Take your measurements with a tape measure wrapped snugly around your undergarments. Step 2: Determine your size Read the chart on the back of your pattern and figure out your size. You will be a bigger size than you are in the store. TIP: If you are between sizes, …

Instructions Step 1: Choose a T-shirt Select a T-shirt, bearing in mind that if you use a shirt with writing or a design, it will end up upside-down on your new blouse. Step 2: Prepare the elastic Measure the circumference of the area just above your breasts, and cut a piece of elastic in that …

Instructions Step 1: Choose your thread Choose appropriate thread for your project. The thread should match both the fiber content and color of your fabric. TIP: If you can’t find an exact color match, use a slightly darker shade–a lighter shade will stand out. Step 2: Choose your needle Choose the right needle. The eye …