Learn how to bead a necklace with this jewelry making tutorial. This lesson teaches you which tools you'll need, how to create your own necklace design, and how to successfully complete your beading project. Take what you've learned here to design your own handmade bracelet and necklace set!
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Are you a quilting enthusiast looking for a practical, DIY kitchen accessory? In this lesson, learn how to make an insulated pot holder that doubles as a trivet. Crafty Gemini demonstrates each simple step, from gathering your materials to setting the final stitch. Customize your piece with decorative stitching, colorful fabric, and/or extra insulation; the final product will be one-of-a-kind.
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Looking for a quick and easy DIY quilt top? This lesson by Fat Quarter Shop will show you how to use a jelly roll to create a 36” by 36” quilt that is colorful, quirky, and most of all, simple to sew together. You’ll learn how to assemble strips of fabric to create blocks, and then cut and combine those blocks to create the quilt. By following this quilting pattern, you’ll be able to create two blankets from each jelly roll you purchase.
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You've bought a bouquet of flowers at the store, but how do you take that jumble of stems and turn them into a beautiful flower arrangement? In this lesson, uBloom teaches a very literal shortcut: cutting the stems short to fit in a low vase, bunching all the blooms together and inserting stems at angles to support one another. This technique makes it easy and fun to arrange flowers nicely, and the lesson includes tips on tools you'll need and how to prepare the the water and flower food.
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Show us a photo of your flower arrangement! Prefer not to purchase a fresh bouquet? Try faux-flowers or flowers plucked from your garden.
Want to make the perfect gift for a toddler? In this lesson, part one of a three-part series, learn how to crochet the first few rounds of an adorable baby sun hat with swirl accents. To complete this project, you’ll only need a ball of heavy cotton yarn and a crochet hook. A written version of the pattern with in-depth instructions is attached.
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Learn how to make homemade soap! Homemade soaps are especially great for party favors or hostess gifts. In this lesson from The O’Neil Sisters, discover all the basics of soapmaking at home. You’ll learn how to select and prepare the soap, colorant, and scents, as well as how to package your finished products for cute party gifts.
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Casting on is one of the first skills that you should add to your knitting toolkit. This method allows you to attach the yarn to the needle and knit the first row of stitches. Casting on is a different stitch than when you’re adding other roles, so it’s one of those skills you may have to review again when you start your second or third project. It’s easy to get so swept up in the knit and purl stitch that you forget how to get started! This lesson will set you straight in five minutes.
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You can do a lot with a single crochet stitch, but you can do more if you add in a double crochet, too! This short lesson walks you through the steps for creating the vital double crochet stitch - also known as a treble crochet stitch. You’ll learn two styles so that you can follow different patterns that involve this stitch. You’ll be glad to have learned this classic technique!
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Your favorite jeans may be expensive, or maybe they just fit perfectly. But just because a hole appears in your favorite Levis or Lucky’s doesn’t mean that you need to retire them. Extend the life of your jeans (and save some cash while you are at it) by learning how to repair them. All you need is a thick piece of cloth, scissors, straight pins, thread and the zig zag stitch on your sewing machine. They may not last forever, but your favorite jeans just got a new lease on life.
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Take a picture to show off your new sewing skills! Don't have a pair of jeans to repair? Try using a scrap piece of fabric instead!
Looking for a new stitch to incorporate into your crocheting? Look no further than the shallow single crochet stitch. This stitch looks so much like it was knit, no one will tell the difference! In this lesson from Yarn Obsession, Sedie demonstrates how to complete this stitch, beginning with the base chain and allowing an extra stitch for the turning chain. Once your chain is completed, learn how to do the shallow single crochet, plus how to turn and create the next row of stitches.
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Face painting has the power to transform anyone into a lion, a butterfly, or a faerie queen--children and adults alike! Whether you are looking for a way to increase your income, or are simply fascinated by theatrical makeup, getting started face painting is easier than you might think! In this lesson, Mandi Ilene teaches you how to get going: from what basic supplies you should always have, to paint and glitter recommendations.
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Making your own pillow case is fun and surprisingly easy: all you need are three pieces of fabric, a sewing machine, and pins. Complete this project to hone your arts and crafts skills or lend a helping hand by donating your pillow case to a local charity. Fabric measurements: 42” x 9” sleeve, 42” x 27” body, 42” x 4.5” accent.
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Why bother with a palette when you can unleash your artistic creativity right onto someone else's face? In this lesson, Mandi Ilene demonstrates how to a make a beautiful red, white, and blue abstract facepaint pattern that is perfect for 4th of July festivities, royal jubilee parties, or just summertime fun! This lesson also offers general advice on applying paint to faces with sponge or brush for any design.
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Is your green thumb calling? Do you have some delicious recipes that use fresh spices and flavors? Growing your own herb garden has never been easier. In this quick and easy lesson, you’ll learn how to layer mason jars with pea pebbles and perlite to create a drainage system that keeps your plants healthy and happy. Then, you’ll just need to add some organic soil and a sprinkle of seeds. Follow along and you’ll soon be enjoying the taste of homegrown basil, oregano, and other herbs!
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Learn how to make homemade glowing slime for a 4th and 5th grade science lesson. This experiment can be completed using only a highlighter, borax, water, Elmers glue, and a popsicle stick. Once all the ingredients have been combined (with the popsicle stick), you will have a “slime ball” that fluoresces under a UV light. Kids will love this interesting and hands on science project.
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Looking for a new jewelry making technique? Learn how to locker hook beautiful handmade bracelets out of yarn, ribbon, recycled silk, and fabric. In this lesson, Theresa Pulido will share tips and tricks from her most recent book on locker hooking, Locking Loops. A cross between needlework, crochet, and latch hook, locker hooking is a unique needlecraft that is equally fun for kids and adults.
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Paint like the masters! Before you start compiling you oeuvre, build an arsenal of brushstrokes to use in any situation. These will come in handy as your paintings become more detailed and complex. This tutorial by Lorraine Watry—the first in a series—demonstrates solid wash, graded wash, masking fluid and tape, wet on wet, drop color on wet color, and more. See the attachment of the Techniques page and supply list by clicking the attachments button at the top right.
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What do you do when you run out of yarn halfway through knitting a beautiful sweater? Learn how to knit the simple and seamless Russian join, or Russian splice. Professional knitter Nancy from Wynn Knit demonstrates the step-by-step process of knitting this highly useful and attractive method of joining yarn. Practice makes this knitting pattern perfect and eliminates sewing in a lot of tail ends!
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Want to make an elegant, unique piece of jewelry? Learn how to make a wrap-around macramé charm bracelet! Follow along with designer Brittany Ketcham as she teaches you the macramé bollywood and ladder stitches to weave seed beads and C-Lon around leather cord. Find out how to craft a button clasp for the bracelet, and see how to change out your C-Lon cord so that your bracelet can change color as it progresses. Use the bracelet as a perfect homemade gift for a friend, or keep it for yourself!
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Knowing your way around a sewing machine opens up a whole new world of creativity! From clothing to home décor to customized gifts, sewing provides you with a range of opportunities to use your skills, save money, and bring your artistic designs to life. In this sewing lesson, Mimi G shows you around a sewing machine, explaining the most basic functions that most machines are equipped to do, describes the most necessary tools you’ll need to begin, and teaches you how to read a pattern.
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