14 Sewing Machine Problems and How to Fix Them Fast
From bird’s nests to broken needles, most sewing machine problems have simple causes. Here’s how to diagnose and fix 14 of the most common ones at home.
Maria Geer
16 Easy Bags to Sew, From Drawstring Sacks to a Weekend Duffle
16 easy bags to sew, arranged from quickest to most involved, with cutting sizes, fabric picks, and the key trick for each one.
Why Does My Fabric Pucker When I Sew? Causes and Fixes
Seam puckering almost always comes down to tension, stitch length, needle, thread, presser foot pressure, or how the fabric feeds. Here is how to find the cause with a test seam and fix it.
How to Sew an Apron Without a Pattern (Full Bib Style)
Draft a classic full bib kitchen apron right on your fabric with these measurements for adults, kids, and half aprons, then sew hems, a pocket, straps, and ties.
How to Hem Jeans and Keep the Original Hem Intact
Shorten jeans without losing the faded factory hem. Fold out the extra length, sew right next to the original hem band, and trim the inside for a finish that looks store-bought.
Pressing vs. Ironing: Why It Matters So Much in Sewing
Ironing glides, pressing lifts and lowers. Here is why that small difference shapes professional-looking seams, plus heat settings, tools and mistakes to avoid.
18 Baby Sewing Projects for Shower Gifts and the Nursery
Eighteen practical baby sewing projects for shower gifts and the nursery, from burp cloths and bibs to a taggie blanket and a fitted crib sheet, with safe-sleep and small-parts tips.
18 Clever Sewing Hacks That Make Every Project Easier
Eighteen cheap, simple sewing hacks that fix the everyday frustrations of home sewing, from threading needles and marking fabric to straighter seams and crisper corners.
16 Easy Home Decor Projects You Can Sew for Any Room
Sixteen budget-friendly home decor sewing projects, from pillow covers to curtains and a floor pouf, with fabric yardage, rough costs, and the key steps for each.
How to Make a Rice Heating Pad with Stitched Channels
Sew a cozy 8 x 20 inch microwavable rice heating pad with channel stitching to keep the filling in place, an optional washable envelope cover, and the heating habits that keep it safe.
How to Sew a Lined Tote Bag With Boxed Corners
A step-by-step pattern for a lined, interfaced tote about 14 x 15 x 4 inches, with four-fold straps, boxed corners explained, and easy ways to add a pocket, a snap, or change the size.
20 Handmade Gifts You Can Sew This Weekend (That Look Store-Bought)
Twenty easy sewing projects that make handmade gifts look shop-bought nice, with sizes, materials, and a finishing touch for each.