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How-to

Watch Threads Essential Techniques Videos

Every issue of Threads features techniques perfect for any skill level. To help grow your sewing talents, we’ve created a series of web-only videos bringing to life some of the most essential techniques seen in our pages.

In this video series, you’ll find an array of techniques we feel are important in cultivating a well-rounded set of sewing skills. No matter what your proficiency level is, you’ll find something that’s just right for you.

Don’t miss other fabulous techniques by subscribing to Threads or by purchasing the tablet edition today.

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miter corners on striped trim   

Miter Corners on Striped Trim
Threads #188

If using striped fabric as trim, you’ll want to miter the corners carefully.

    sew a single-welt pocket   

Sew a Single-Welt Pocket
Threads #188

A single-welt pocket can be added to almost any garment or accessory.

    disappearing flat piping   

Disappearing Flat Piping
Threads #188

Learn how to taper a piping’s end for an attractive, bulk-free finish.

    drape parallel darts   

How to Drape Parallel Darts
Threads #187

Watch to learn Sarah Veblen’s technique for draping custom parallel darts.

    wind a bobbin   

How to Wind a Bobbin for Bobbinwork Stitching
Threads #187

Learn how to wind a bobbin for bobbinwork and how to adjust the bobbin tension.

    sew piping to a curve   

How to Sew Piping to a Curve

Watch this video to learn two great tips for sewing a better piped edge.

    offset stitching smooth piping   

Offset Stitching for Smooth Piping

Threads has published lots of great advice on how to get great results for piping. Here is a tip for sewing a ripple-free piped edge.

    grade piped seam   

Grade to Reduce Bulk in a Piped Seam

If you’re looking to add a design detail to a garment, turn to piping. Watch this video for a great tip on grading a piped seam.

    chainstitch   

How to Sew a Chainstitch
Threads #186

Hand embroidery is a traditional embellishment technique that is within the reach of any sewer. Watch to learn how to create one of the five basic embroidery stitches: the chainstitch.

    fly stitch   

How to Sew a Fly Stitch
Threads #186

The fly stitch is a basic embroidery stitch. Watch to learn how to create this stitch.

    blanket stitch   

How to Sew a Blanket Stitch
Threads #186

Hand embroidery can elevate the style of any garment. Watch now to learn how to create one of five basic embroidery stitches: the blanket stitch.

    couching stitch   

How to Sew a Couching Stitch
Threads #186

The couching stitch is useful for applying heavy or decorative threads that are too thick or textured to pass through a fabric’s weave. Watch to learn how to create this basic hand embroidery stitch.

    web stitch   

How to Sew a Web Stitch
Threads #186

The web, or spider-web stitch, is a needle-woven stitch that makes a beautiful center for an embroidered medallion. Watch to learn how to create this basic hand embroidery stitch.

    shape petersham to a curve   

How to Press Shaped Edges
Threads #186

You can make any garment special by adding shaped edges. Watch to learn how to press these curved details.

    attach all-in-one facing   

How to Attach an All-in-One Facing
Threads #185

Discover two methods for installing a facing that finishes the neckline and armhole.

    shape petersham to a curve   

How to Shape Petersham Ribon to a Curve
Threads #184

Learn how easy it is to make petersham follow a curve. It is a great way to stabilize curved necklines, hems, and waistlines.

    pleated petersham trim  

How to Make Pleated Trim from Petersham
Threads #184

Petersham ribbon, a couture mainstay, has many sewing uses and one of them is as an embellishment. Watch to learn video to learn how to create this style of pleated trim.

    straighten fabric grain  

How to Straighten Fabric Grain
Threads #184

See how to straighten a fabric’s grain in this video, so you can prep your fabrics correctly for great sewing results.

    thread a twin needle  

How to Thread a Twin Needle
Threads #183


Sewing with a twin needle is an easy way to create beautiful embellishments on garments from even the simplest machine stitches. Learn how to set up your sewing machine to use a twin needle.

    tailor's board  

How to Use a Tailor’s Board
Threads #183


Pressing is one of the most important aspects of garment sewing. There are many tools to help you achieve well-pressed clothes – one of them is a tailor’s board.

    knife and box pleats  

How to Fold Knife and Box Pleats
Threads #182


This web extra from “Pleat to Measure,” Threads #182, we show you how to use the templates to mark the pleat foldlines, and then how to fold the pleats.

    repair stray snip  

How to Repair a Stray Snip
Threads #181


Stray snips, cuts, and holes in fabric often happen in the least desirable or convenient spots on fabric. Sometimes they go unnoticed until you’ve cut your garment pieces and are ready to sew. Find out how to turn this potential disaster into a design feature by camouflaging it with stitches.

    hand rolled hem  

Sew a Hand-Rolled Hem
Threads #180


Special Projects Editor Stephani L. Miller demonstrates an easy-to-follow method for sewing a hand-rolled hem. This technique is an excellent choice for hemming fine and delicate fabrics.

    sew lace seams  

How to Sew Lace Seams
Threads #179


When sewing lace garments, you’ll want to steer clear of any seam allowances showing through. To help you create the illusion of no seams, we’re going to demonstrate two different techniques for sewing lace seams, by machine or by hand.

    running stitch topstitching  

Create Topstitching with Running Stitches
Threads #179


We reviewed Simplicity Threads 1103 pattern. This dress pattern comes in four variations and we tested the short-sleeved version. Watch this Threads Essential Techniques video tutorial to learn how to create hand-worked topstitching with a running stitch, as seen on the test garment.

    welt pocket  

How to Sew a Welt Pocket Opening
Threads #178


It’s a scary proposition to cut a welt pocket opening through an almost-finished garment. Instead, try adding a welt pocket on a patch pocket. Watch this video tutorial to learn an easy, expert way to cut the welt opening without cutting through your garment.

    sleeve head  

How to Sew and Install a Sleeve Head
Threads #178


Sleeve heads help to fill, shape, and stabilize jacket shoulders. Watch this video tutorial to learn a simple and quick way to sew and install sleeve heads. This small addition can take any jacket from ordinary to stunning in a small amount of time.

    thread bars and chains  

How to Make Thread Bars and Chains
Threads #177


In this video tutorial we bring Claire Shaeffer’s method to life to demonstrate how these delicacies are sewn. Once you’ve mastered the techniques you’ll be able to detain wayward straps, linings, and more

    rhinestones  

How to Embellish Knits with Rhinestones and More
Threads #176


Watch this video tutorial to discover three methods of adding shine to your knit garments. As a bonus, we’ve included a downloable guide.

    how to sew knits  

How to Sew Knits
Threads #176


Learn which machines, needles, and stitches are best suited for particular knit types. You’ll also learn a foolproof technique for stabilizing shoulder seams on knits, how to handle necklines on knit garments, and how to sew a durable hand stich for hemming knits.

    collar points  

Sew Perfect Collar Points
Threads #175


There are all sorts of corners: 90-degree, 45-degree, and less – or more. Watch this video to achieve well-sewn outside corners, such as collar points.

    silamide thread  

Meet Silamide Thread
Threads #174

Watch this quick video to learn about waxed silamide thread and its uses.

    figure eight stitch  

How to Sew a Figure Eight Stitch
Threads #173

Watch this video demonstration of how to sew a figure-eight stitch using techniques by Claire Shaeffer.

    bind a sheer edge  

How to Bind a Sheer Edge
Threads #172

Binding the edges of sheer fabrics is easier than you think with our fast technique.

    sew and press tucks  

How to Sew and Press Tucks
Threads #171

Learn how to sew straight tucks and press these delicate folds.

    machine bead a design  

How to Machine-Bead a Design
Threads #170

Watch and learn how easy it is to machine-bead any design.

    bead a motif  

How to Bead a Motif with a Template
Threads #169

Bead a beautiful motif using a freezer paper template.

    pickstitch  

How to Sew a Pickstitch
Threads #169

Watch and learn how to make the classic pickstitch with ease.

    marble fabric with shaving cream  

How to Marble Fabric with Shaving Cream
Threads #168

Create beautiful marbled patterns with this simple method.

    burn testing for fabric identification  

Burn Testing for Fabric Identification
Threads #168

Learn how to burn and read the ashes for some common fiber types.

    sew a blind hem  

How to Sew a Blind Hem
Threads #167

Learn how to sew a blind hem on both, standard and industrial
sewing machines.

    serge seam allowances  

How to Serge Seam Allowances
Threads #166

Serging works on nearly any fabric. It can also trim the seam
allowances as it stitches.

    sew a french seam  

How to Sew a French Seam
Threads #166

French seams work best on sheer, lightweight fabrics.

    sew a stitch and pink seam finish  

Sew a Stitch and Pink Seam Finish
Threads #165

Stitch and pink seam allowances with theses step-by-step instructions.

    sew single-fold finished seams  

Sew Single-Fold Finished Seams
Threads #165

Follow these steps for creating a single-fold clean finish seam.

    stitch together seam allowances  

How to Stitch Together Seam-Allowances
Threads #165

Watch and learn how to create a stitch together seam finish.

Check back after every new issue to find the latest Threads Essential Techniques video.

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  1. user-2418800 | | #1

    These are all wonderful skills to have and this series of videos is the ultimate in usable information. Thank you for posting these.

  2. ardiemae | | #2

    I wish I had these ideas a few years ago while doing alterations on purchased clothing. It would have made my life a whole lot easier. :-)

  3. rhodeanie | | #3

    These are so helpful! Thank you!

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