Projects & Patterns
Complete makes, repairs and alterations, from ten-minute fixes to weekend projects. Filter by craft, skill level, time, or a material you have on hand.
64 projects
A Simple Embroidered Flower
Your first complete motif: a daisy with a knotted centre, a stem and two leaves. Uses four stitches.
EmbroideryA Leaf Sampler
Six leaves on one branch, each worked in a different stitch. A good way to compare fills and outlines.
EmbroideryInitials and Simple Lettering
Stitch a monogram or a short word. Covers choosing a letter style, transferring it and picking a stitch for the letter size.
EmbroideryA Small Decorative Patch
Embroider a simple motif on felt, edge it with blanket stitch, and sew it to a bag or jacket.
EmbroideryA Floral Embroidery Hoop
A small wreath of roses, daisies and leaves, finished and displayed in its hoop.
EmbroideryEmbroidered Details on a Denim Jacket or Tote Bag
Add a small motif to a pocket, collar or bag front. Covers working on thick fabric and making stitching that survives wear and washing.
Cross-StitchTiny Heart
A 9 by 8 stitch heart in one colour. The ideal first chart: small, symmetrical and quick.
Cross-StitchSimple Flower
An 11 by 15 stitch flower in three colours. First practice at changing colour.
Cross-StitchStrawberry Motif
A 9 by 12 stitch strawberry with yellow seeds and a leafy top.
Cross-StitchBeginner Alphabet
A full capital alphabet, each letter 5 stitches wide and 7 high. Stitch it as a sampler or use the letters for names and dates.
Cross-StitchPersonalized Initial
Pick any letter and get a chart for a large initial inside a dotted border, 18 by 22 stitches.
Cross-StitchDiamond Bookmark
A 13 by 45 stitch bookmark with four diamonds inside a solid border.
Cross-StitchDecorative Wreath Hoop
A 25 by 25 stitch leaf-and-blossom wreath with a heart in the middle, sized to display in a 4 in (10 cm) hoop.
Cross-StitchSmall Sampler
A 33 by 41 stitch sampler: lettering, a heart, a strawberry, a row of diamonds, a dotted border and a backstitch line.
Hand SewingSew on a Loose or Missing Button
Reattach a button that is hanging by a thread, or replace one that has fallen off. This is a good first repair and suits a complete beginner. Coat buttons with a metal shank, and fabric torn around the button, need more advanced work.
Hand SewingMend a Split Seam
Close a seam that has come open along its stitching line. This suits a beginner when the fabric on both sides of the split is intact. It needs more advanced technique when the fabric is frayed or torn, or the seam is under heavy strain.
Hand SewingFix a Popped Seam in a Stretchy Garment
Close a seam in a T-shirt, leggings or sweatshirt that has split when the fabric stretched. A beginner can do short splits up to about 4 in (10 cm). Long splits, swimwear and seams that carry stress are better done on a machine with a stretch stitch, or by a tailor.
Hand SewingHand-Hem a Pair of Trousers
Shorten plain woven trousers and hem them with a blind hem stitch. This suits a confident beginner on simple, straight-legged trousers. Jeans, lined trousers, cuffs, thick wool and tapered legs need more advanced technique.
Hand SewingMend a Small Hole
Close a hole smaller than 1/2 in (12 mm) in a woven shirt or light knit using a darn. This suits a confident beginner on cotton. Larger holes, holes at stress points and fine knitwear need more advanced work or a professional.
Hand SewingSecure a Loose Lining
Reattach a lining that has come away from the hem of a jacket, skirt or coat. A beginner can do this when the lining fabric is sound. Torn linings and linings sewn into sleeves or collars need more advanced technique.
Hand SewingSew a Patch onto a Garment
Attach a fabric patch or badge to a jacket, bag or jeans with whipstitch or blanket stitch. This suits a beginner on cotton or denim. Leather, waterproof fabric and stretchy knits need more advanced technique.
Hand SewingMake a Simple Drawstring Pouch
Sew a small cotton pouch with a casing and two drawstring cords, entirely by hand. It uses running stitch, backstitch and a hem fold, and suits a beginner who has practiced those stitches. Lined pouches and thicker fabrics need more advanced technique.
Sewing MachineBasic Double-Fold Garment Hem
The standard hem for trousers, skirts and sleeves, folded twice so the raw edge is enclosed, then sewn by machine.
Sewing MachineElastic Casing Waistband
A fabric tunnel (casing) along a waist or cuff edge that holds a length of elastic, as used in simple skirts, shorts and pajama trousers.
Sewing MachineApplying Patches and Patch Reinforcements
How to sew a fabric patch onto a garment, either as decoration or as reinforcement over a worn spot.
AlterationsShorten Trousers
Shorten a pair of unlined woven trousers while keeping the leg straight and the hem level.
AlterationsShorten Jeans and Keep the Original Hem
Shorten jeans by moving the original hem up the leg, so the heavy stitching and the faded edge are preserved.
AlterationsShorten a Skirt
Shorten a straight or gently flared skirt, working out the hem allowance and keeping the hem level.
AlterationsShorten a Dress, Including Curved Hems
Shorten a simple dress, with notes for curved hems, where the allowance is narrower and the fullness must be eased.
AlterationsShorten Simple Sleeves
Shorten simple, unlined sleeves that end in a plain hem, with no placket or cuff.
AlterationsHand-Sewn Invisible Hem
Sew a hem by hand with small stitches that cannot be seen on the outside of the garment.
AlterationsMachine-Sewn Visible Hem
Sew a hem by machine with a straight line of stitching visible on the outside, as on jeans, casual trousers and cotton skirts.
AlterationsHem Knit and Stretch Fabric
Hem a T-shirt, jersey or other knit fabric using a stitch that stretches, so the thread does not snap when the garment is worn.
AlterationsTake In a Waistband at Centre Back
Make trousers or jeans smaller at the waist by removing fabric at the centre back of the waistband. Jeans are a harder job because of the bulk.
AlterationsAdjusting a Skirt Waistband
Make the waist of a simple skirt up to 1 1/2 in (4 cm) smaller by moving the fastening or by taking in the side seams straight through the waistband. Letting a waistband out is possible only by a small amount.
AlterationsTake In Side Seams on a Skirt or Dress
Make a simple skirt or dress smaller by sewing new, deeper side seams inside the old ones.
AlterationsTake In Loose Trousers Through the Seat and Legs
Reduce loose trousers by re-sewing the centre back seam, the outside leg seam and the inseam, with notes on what each seam changes.
AlterationsTake In a Simple Shirt at the Sides and Sleeves
Take in a simple woven shirt through the side seams and underarm sleeve seams for a closer fit.
AlterationsUse Darts to Improve Fit
Add or deepen a dart to remove extra fabric at the waist, bust or back, so the garment follows the body better.
AlterationsLet Out Seams
Make a garment slightly bigger by sewing along the inner edge of an existing seam, but only if there is enough seam allowance.
AlterationsShorten Simple Straps
Shorten fixed fabric straps on a sundress, camisole or top by moving where the strap attaches.
AlterationsShorten an Elastic Waistband
Tighten a stretched or overly long elastic waistband by shortening the elastic inside the casing.
AlterationsReplace Basic Elastic
Remove old, stretched elastic from a waistband casing and thread through new elastic using a safety pin or a bodkin (a blunt tool for threading elastic).
AlterationsRepair a Loose Waistband Seam
Re-stitch a waistband seam that has come loose, so the waistband is attached firmly to the garment again.
AlterationsAdjust a Simple Neckline or Opening
Make a plain neckline slightly higher or a small opening slightly smaller, only on garments where the construction allows.
AlterationsReattach Belt Loops
Sew a loose or missing belt loop back onto a waistband so it holds a belt again.
AlterationsReplace a Drawstring
Thread a new cord or tape through a casing, to replace a lost or frayed drawstring.
AlterationsReinforce Pockets
Strengthen a pocket that is splitting at a corner or pulling away, so it stops tearing further.
AlterationsSecure Loose Seams and Facings
Tack down a facing that flips out at the neckline or armhole, and close small loose seams, using small hidden stitches.
RepairsSew a Missing Button Back On
Replace a button that has fallen off a shirt, coat or trousers so it holds firmly and sits at the right height. Hand sewing is the right method here, because a machine cannot sew a button onto a finished garment without special equipment.
RepairsFix a Split Seam
Close a seam where the stitching has broken but the fabric is still whole. Use a machine for a long split on a woven garment and hand backstitch for a short one or a seam in an awkward place.
RepairsRepair a Popped Seam on Stretch Fabric
Mend a seam that has burst open on a T-shirt, leggings or other knit. A machine with a stretch or narrow zigzag stitch is preferable. Hand sewing works for small splits if you leave the stitches loose.
RepairsClose a Small Hole in Woven or Fine Knit Fabric
Close a hole up to 1/2 in (12 mm) across, such as a snag or moth hole, from the wrong side. By hand is preferable, since you can control tiny stitches. A fusible backing adds strength where the fabric around the hole is thin. The mend shows as a small line close up.
RepairsDarn a Hole in a Sweater or Sock
Rebuild the missing knit by weaving new yarn across the hole in a grid. Hand darning is the usual method for knits, because machine stitching stiffens the fabric and stops it stretching. A darn shows as a woven patch and feels firmer than the knit around it.
RepairsRepair a Torn Pocket Bag
Fix the inner pocket bag when keys, coins or lint have worn through it. Machine sewing is quicker when you can pull the pocket out of the garment; hand sewing suits small tears or awkward corners.
RepairsReinforce a Worn Pocket Corner
Strengthen the top corner of a pocket opening where the fabric is thinning or starting to rip, using a bar tack (a block of tight stitches that locks the corner). A machine bar tack is preferable for speed; hand-stitched bar tacks are neat on a single corner.
RepairsReattach or Replace a Belt Loop
Sew a loose belt loop back onto the waistband, or make a new one from a strip of matching fabric. A machine with a jeans needle gives the strongest result on denim, while hand sewing with a thimble is fine on lighter trousers.
RepairsMend a Small Tear in Woven Fabric
Repair a straight or L-shaped tear of up to 2 in (5 cm) with fusible interfacing behind it, then stitch across the tear. Machine zigzag is preferable for sturdy fabric, and hand stitching is gentler on delicate cloth. The mend shows close up and the area stays weaker than whole fabric.
RepairsPatch Jeans With an Outside Patch
Cover a worn spot or hole with a fabric patch stitched on the outside of the jeans. Machine topstitching is stronger. Hand sewing is easier on a knee or in a narrow leg where the machine will not reach.
RepairsMend a Hole in Denim From the Inside
Repair a hole with a backing patch inside, then fill the hole with rows of stitches that imitate the weave. A machine gives a firmer fill, while hand running stitches suit small holes and give more control.
RepairsFix a Loose or Fallen Hem
Sew a hem back into place where the stitching or the hem tape has come undone. A hand blind hem is preferable on dress trousers, skirts and dresses because it hardly shows. A machine hem is fine on jeans, casual trousers and curtains.
RepairsReattach a Loose Lining
Sew a lining back to a hem or seam where it has come loose, so it stops hanging below the garment. Hand sewing is the right method, since you cannot reach the inside of a finished garment with a machine.
RepairsMend a Small Tear Near a Seam
Repair a tear that starts at or runs beside a seam. Where the fit allows, take a slightly deeper seam to cut the damage away. Where it does not, back the tear with interfacing and restitch. Machine is preferable for the seam, while hand sewing suits the interfacing method.
RepairsReinforce Areas Prone to Wear
Strengthen thinning fabric before it holes, at inner thighs, elbows, knees and pocket corners. Hand stitching is preferable on thin areas, since you control the tension. Machine rows are faster for a large flat area.
Skill levels
- Beginner
- No prior experience needed.
- Confident Beginner
- Requires a few basic stitches or machine skills.
- Intermediate
- Requires multiple techniques, more precise fitting, or more complex garment construction.