New and Featured Tutorials
How to Sew a Patchwork Minky Blanket
What’s up dudes and dudettes? Today I’m going to show you how to make a snuggly soft blanket with quilting cotton on one side and minky on the other. It’s Fall here in Michigan. It’s starting to get chilly at night, so who doesn’t need a super soft blanket to curl up in?
How to Sew an Armband Pouch for a Cell Phone
This step-by-step tutorial is the perfect way to go hands-free with your phone. Whether you’re walking, jogging, or going to town on a half-gallon of ice cream, I’m not judging. (Especially not if you share some of that ice cream with me.)
How to Make a Crossbody Mini Bag
This step-by-step DiY tutorial will show you how to make a perfect bag for when you don’t want to haul around a clunky purse. It’s wee, it’s got a nice long strap… plus lots of pockets to fit your crap. (Hey, that rhymed!)
How to Sew an Infinity Scarf
Happy New Year, sewing mofos! This step-by-step tutorial is perfect for both beginners and seasoned seamsters, and it makes an especially good project for that new serger Santa brought you. (But a regular sewing machine is also perfectly suitable.)
How to Make a Christmas Tree in a Vase
Deck the halls with random evergreen branches from that mystery bush in your yard! This Christmas-tree-in-a-vase is perfect for small spaces. Add some lights and some shiny balls, and you’re in business.
How to Plant an Amaryllis PLUS Faux Aged Terra Cotta Pots
Who doesn’t love pretty flowers? NO ONE, that’s who. That’s why this tutorial for a faux aged pot planted with an amaryllis bulb would make an excellent holiday gift! (Not too spendy, either.)
DID YOU JUST CRAFT YOUR PANTS?
Hi, I'm Lex!
I’m a writer, craft addict, and former professional seamstress/fashion designer.
I started WhatTheCraft in 2006, because I love sharing what I learn. I’m mostly self-taught. And by self-taught I mean there was a lot of time and effort (and lots of trial and error) put into teaching myself how to sew and draft patterns. But there were also a lot of kickass people out there, sharing free tutorials and tips on the internet. So this is also my way of paying it forward.
Through this site I share my projects, tutorials, and DiY tips, and all the other things (cats, food, life) in between.
Patterns
Recent Posts
Where Have You Been?
Or more accurately, where have I been? It’s been kind of a doozy of a year, honestly. First, I had surgery earlier this year to remove a cantaloupe-sized cyst from my ovary. It was actually — shockingly — not as traumatic as it sounds.
How to Use a Serger – Sewing Tutorial
Learn how to thread a serger the “cheater” way! Discover the secret to hiding your thread tails! Unlock countless mysteries of the sewing universe!
I Knit a Thing!
Remember wayyyy back in March *cough* 2015 *cough* when I mentioned I was making this cowl? No? Yeah, I barely remember either. It only took me a year and a half to finish, but I did it! I knit my first “real” thing! Sirius insisted on modeling with it.
Share and share alike
“Why aren’t we allowed to sell some projects we see on some websites where they post step-by-step… they say it’s only for our personal use, not for selling purposes?” I received this question in a comment today, and it got me thinking. I used to have a disclaimer like that here on WhatTheCraft. It’s hard […]
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
A perfect tutorial for the holidays, this step-by-step video will guide you through the process of making your own gourmet vanilla extract! I show how insanely easy it is in this video. Trouble with the video player? Click here to watch the video on Youtube. Oh yeah, and it’s cheap!
How to Carve an Artificial Pumpkin Jackolantern
I love carving jackolanterns for Halloween, but I hate watching them rot and then throwing them away. So now I always carve artificial pumpkins, and then I get to keep them forever *echo* ever-ever-ever! Below is my tutorial for carving your own foam pumpkins.
Freebies
