When you set out to sew the perfect jacket or coat, you may not immediately think about the sleeves. (You're probably envisioning a poppin' collar or those beautiful lapels and buttons, which is fair!) But sleeves are an obviously critical component of your design. They need to fit, taper and drape perfectly, as a properly sewn sleeve can be the difference between a coat that looks high-end and a coat that screams homemade.

The grid-like look of filet crochet might look fancy, but it's created with only two basic stitches: the chain and double crochet. The double crochet stitches are used to create the grid and fill in spaces, while the empty cells are made with chain stitches between two double crochets. This style of crochet is commonly used in lightweight yarn, but if you have a large-scale project in mind, worsted weight would work well too.

The no-fail way to amp up any blanket, sweater or hat: personalization. Crocheting a name or initials into your project makes for an A+ gift, as does stitching an entire phrase or line from their favorite movie or poem. Whatever you decide to write with your hook, there are a few different techniques to help your design look totally custom and cool.

There are two ways to handsew hooks and eyes to garments — the easy, rather straightforward way, and what is considered "the couture way." The primary difference is one looks prettier than the other. And, as you may have already guessed, the pretty one requires a bit more care to sew.

The crochet basketweave stitch consists of sets of front and back post double crochet stitches, creating a fabric with a gorgeous woven texture. It's a wonderful stitch to use for crocheting patterns like scarves, blankets and washcloths — make sure you know how to do it in time for your next project.

Lining a garment can seem like a lot of extra work: buying more fabric (which can also add additional cost), cutting out the pattern all over again, and of course, the extra pinning and sewing. It’s an appealing step to skip. Unfortunately, some garments really do require a lining to be functional, and most will greatly benefit from a lining. Fortunately, lining a garment is really not that difficult! (And we can teach you!)

I’ll admit, when I first heard about Viking knitting, I thought it referred to either knitting Viking-like hats, or to Vikings actually knitting. Color me surprised to find out that this is a jewelry wirework technique used to knit wire and make cords. Here, I’ll explain to you what Viking knitting is, where it came from and even share some tutorials on Bluprint to help you create your own items with the unique Viking knitting technique. Let’s dig in!

When the announcement of Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal engagement came through the wire, royal family watchers and fans wanted to know all the details of their impending wedding, including who was going to design their destined-to-be magnificent cake?

If you've been stitching for a while, chances are, you've come across blackwork embroidery, a very popular needlework technique that has developed over the centuries to involve a variety of approaches and styles.

One of the best reasons to sew is to make clothing that is as unique and creative as you are — and to have a great time doing it. Combine all these things (uniqueness, creativity, fun) and you might end up exploring one of my favorite types of embellishment: beading!

The Shaker style is one of the most popular and enduring furniture styles in the United States. Woodworking luminaries such as George Nakashima and Wharton Esherick were influenced by the Shakers, and so are many contemporary makers like Garrett Hack, C.H. Becksvoort and Thomas Moser.

The term "ruching" seems to be fraught with controversy. Oh, the drama we have in the sewing world! But what exactly is it?

Add a few gorgeous throw pillows to any room and you've got an instant makeover. So easy, so quick: What's not to love? But when the square pillow covers you're sewing don't actually hold their shape, you're in pillow fail territory. It's not pretty.

Whether you're hosting a formal affair or just a casual family dinner, a tablecloth goes a long way in tying the dining room together. The good news is tablecloths are one of the easiest projects you can sew — here's how to make sure yours is done right.

Once the tree is decorated, it's time to turn your attention to another area of the house that's always in need of a little holiday flavor: the kitchen table. After all, a table runner makes a great centerpiece for your family's holiday meal. These patterns stitch up quick, so you can make 'em in a weekend and have them done well before the big day.

If you've ever stumbled on a crochet pattern that asks you to work in the back loop, you may have wondered why. Crocheting through the back loop only (blo) is used in patterns for a variety of reasons — to help keep your stitches aligned in Fair Isle crochet, to join pieces on amigurumi projects, even to add a purely decorative touch.

A knitter's Christmas tree isn't complete without handmade ornaments. Fortunately, stitching one doesn't take nearly as long as, say, that knitted blanket you're planning to give to your mom. Stitch these free patterns up in a day and soon enough they'll be hanging from your tree!

Potholders are the perfect project — they're quick and easy to stitch up, they make great gifts and you can use scraps left over from larger projects. Follow this tutorial and you'll have some ready to present in no time.

It's easy to have a love affair with chunky yarn. Also called bulky yarn, it's super cozy and makes your crochet projects work up super quickly. It also enlarges your stitches so you can really see their detail.

Have you seen the ah-mazingly realistic amethyst cake that's gone viral? We simply couldn't stop thinking about this cake, so we asked the designers and Bluprint instructor Rachael Teufel to tell us more about her jaw-dropping creation. Read on to hear Rachael's inspiration for the cake and to find out how to get a step-by-step tutorial to make your own geode cake!

Ear cuffs are a trendy, pretty alternative to pierced or clip-on earrings. Instead of dangling from your lobe, the ear cuff attached to the outer cartilage of the ear, snugly tucking in and holding on. Some designs are simply cuff-only, some snake up and down the outer edge of the ear and some have dangles.

There's a lot to love about hand knit socks. But the best part may just be how there's no one way to do it. Take the heel, for example — you can knit a heel flap, an afterthought heel, or, the star of today's show, a short row heel.

A custom duvet sounds like a major splurge. After all, it's designed to fit your bed perfectly, and it comes in any color or pattern you want to help you create your dream bedroom. But what if we told you that in this case, custom is cheaper than off the rack? That's because, yup, you'll be making this one yourself!

Whether you're looking to create an interesting texture or eye-catching color patterning, the crochet V stitch might be just what you have in mind. It's a simple stitch to learn and it can be a very effective design element. The repeating V's create an openwork pattern with graphic appeal. Worked all in the same color, crochet V-stitch has lovely texture, and changing colors from row to row creates a powerful design.

Chevron crochet never goes out of style. To a beginner, chevron crochet might seem like an advanced technique, but as long as you know how to single crochet and understand the basics of increasing and decreasing stitches, then you can easily create this pattern for yourself.

When you hear the word "sampler," you probably think two things: chocolate and embroidery. Today we're all about embroidery (but by all means, feel free to grab some chocolate as you read this). Embroidery samplers are fun to make and retro in the coolest possible way: The oldest surviving European samplers date all the way back to the 1500s. But samplers nowadays can do much more than the O.G. samplers of centuries ago.

It may not be listed in the latest DSM, but zipper-phobia is real. And the zipper that tends to inspire the most fear (among even seasoned sewers) is the fly front.

An exposed zipper used to be trendy. Today it just looks modern — a new classic that can add a little drama to a top, skirt or dress.

In sewing, ease is a total necessity. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to bend, reach, sit or walk in your clothes, as it's the extra space built into a garment to make it easy, fun and flattering to wear.

It totally makes sense if you dread sewing the neck binding on a cotton knit t-shirt. After all, make a sewing mistake and it's literally in your face (or at least right below it). And the fabric makes it even harder to undo snafus.

You've got a fun, strappy top you love to wear, but there's one pesky problem: those straps always slip off your shoulders. Rather than constantly push them back into place, you can shorten them super fast — we're talkin' minutes here — and even make them adjustable. Problem solved!

It might feel intimidating, but branching out into sewing your own lingerie can be much easier than one might think. It's really satisfying to have the secret of a cute handmade bra under your dress. And because it takes such little fabric, it's a wonderful way to use up some favorite scraps or to splurge on something pricy, since the projects require so little fabric.

You're happily working away on a sewing project, and all of a sudden you're face to face with a scary diagram—complete with a mysterious acronym. Case in point: FBA.

When you're packing for a sunshine-and-chill vacation, you're not exactly looking to lug around extra stuff—especially not one of those giant woven sun hats that won't even fit into your suitcase. But you'll definitely need a hat to keep out the rays, so what to do? Bring a lightweight, foldable sun hat you can stuff into your carry-on. Better yet, make one yourself!

One of the biggest differences between regular garment sewing and couture sewing is underlining. Underlining is what gives couture garments their superior overall appearance and elevates any homemade article of clothing to a designer-grade product. But, what is underlining? Why do you need it, and how do you use it?

If you're like me, you sew your own clothes because you want a custom fit. That usually means you adjust the pattern before taking scissors to fabric.

Looking for a fun, versatile stitch to add to your projects? Want a pattern so easy to remember you can knit it while you watch TV? Love the look of cables but are afraid it's too complicated for your skill level? Meet the honeycomb stitch!

You may have lived the whole of your life without ever making or even having a bowl cozy. Time to fix that sorry situation ASAP.

The name "princess seam" sounds a little fussy. In fact, princess seams are anything but: They create graceful vertical lines that elongate the body and allow adjustments across large sections of the garment — useful for pattern fitting.

Dancing is all about expressing yourself — and that goes for your leotard too! Whether you're sewing a leotard in a funky color or pattern, or going with the trad pink or black version, making your own means YOU get to customize the design, the fabric, the fit, the whole vibe.

You can't go wrong with a classic A-line skirt. You can wear it short or long, dressed up or down, and it always looks good. Best of all, the simple shape means you can learn to sew an A-line skirt in just a few easy steps.

A cowl is a timeless look that's almost always flattering, no matter your body type. You can add one almost anywhere — not just at the bodice front, the most obvious spot, but also the bodice back, the sleeves or even the sides of skirts or pants. Cowls can be subtle with a gentle fall, or dramatic with a plunging silhouette. It's one of those versatile design elements, so sewists really can't help but love it.

When it comes to making alterations to your WIP garment, there's a secret weapon just waiting to be used: curved rulers. These get the job done much better than simple straight rulers could — after all, our bodies aren't filled with straight edges and hard lines. Humans are curvy!

It's cold outside and there's nothing like a warm and comfy throw to take the chill off. And while you could always buy a cozy blanket, making your own is simple and fast, so you can start sewing in an afternoon and have it ready for that night's movie.

Crocheters, grab your hooks — it's time to decorate for Christmas! Going handmade is an obvious choice for the holidays, whether you're looking to make ornaments, gifts, garlands or other decor. We've got the free patterns you're looking for — make one or make 'em all to truly get in the holiday spirit.

Cables are a beautiful way to add texture and interest to your crochet projects. But if you've never crocheted one before, it can be a bit intimidating. They're made by skipping a set of stitches (usually two or three, depending on the stitch width of the cable), then crossing front and back post stitches to create that twisted effect. So once you get the hang of it, it's actually pretty fun to make.

Crochet ruffles are both cute and versatile: you can use them to add a border to your blankets for a flowing feel, or you can use them as surface crochet to create a cheeky accent.

You've gotta love a quilt that takes its name from a hairstyle. Like the fancy 'do, French braid quilts and quilt blocks give the illusion of woven strands, and they're sewn from fabric strips in prints or solids. And while they look intricate, they're actually a cinch to piece — even if you're a beginner.

Did you know you can make a charming, super cozy quilt without putting in a ton of time or — wait for it — even really knowing how to quilt? It's shocking, but true, thanks to one quickie weekend project: the rag quilt.

There's a lot to love about gingerbread cookies, whether served on their own or as part of a larger gingerbread house project. Either way, these little guys' royal icing smiles and heart-shaped cheeks are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.