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train · 95.7k rows

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What fabric is appropriate for an ironing board cover? Our new house has an ironing board that folds out of the wall. While I love the convenience of this, the ironing board cover is rather old and gross, as well as having some tears. Being crafty, I'd like to make my own ironing board cover. What fabrics can I consid...	You can buy "heat-resistant fabric" by the yard at large fabric stores in the utility fabrics section (literally called "ironing board fabric" at a popular chain) or online (several sources came up on a search), for about the same price as cotton duck or canvas, often for less. I always use 100% cotton but a tighter we...
What can I use to quickly color already-folded origami? A friend of mine gifted me a paper crane out of regular printer paper, and I'd like to spruce it up if I can do so, without having to just scribble at it with a marker for hours on end. In short, I'd like something that can give it a (mostly) even coat of color ...	An airbrush seems perfectly suited to this type of work.
What kind of painting tools does one need in order to make these fantasy art drawings? I like drawing as a hobby and after practising sketching with a pencil for a year or so I recently started using colour pencils and soft pastels and I was wondering what kind of painting tools would I need to create as beautiful a pi...	If you want to make something like this but with a traditional medium, I think you can do it even with pencils, if you're talented (and you have a good variety/brand of pencils).
How to remove the yellowish color from my old drawings? I have my old (10+ years) pencil art drawings and when I looked at them recently I notice that the paper has yellowed where it is visible. Is there a way to remove to remove the yellow tint without affecting the drawing? <Q> I don't believe there is a way to rem...	And if the paper wasn't washed properly residual acids from the paper makeing process may still be present. Take a high quality scan or photo of the discolored work.
What is the term for an art show featuring two artists? An art show with one artist is a solo show. One featuring many artists is called a group show. What in the generally-accepted industry term for an art show that only has two artists? A dual show? A duo show? <Q> BUT (after searching the internuts a bit) it seems t...	A "group exposition" or "collective exhibition" could be used to describe a two person art show ...
How do I keep my ink from smudging when I draw? When I try to make sketches with a fountain pen on printer paper, it keeps smudging, so I have to restart. What do I do to prevent smudging? If this helps, I'm ambidextrous. <Q> There are four things I can think of which will help you avoid smudging your inks <S> are: <...	An ink blotter is a special pad of paper used to soak up excess ink from the surface of the paper. If your paper is at a slant, you end up holding the pen almost horizontally, so gravity isn't sending large amounts of ink onto your paper. Be present in the moment , slow down your drawing and pay attention where your pe...
What crochet stitch is similar to a garter stitch in knitting? I was thinking about making a scarf at some point like the scarf from the 4th Doctor in the Doctor Who series. The original scarf was knitted, which I am not capable of. I like the appearance of the garter stitch that was used and is commonly used in knitti...	There is a not very used crochet style called "camel crochet" that does look quite a bit like knitting.
How can I remove paint from glass bottles w/o paint thinner? I've got a couple of glass Saratoga bottles , like the one pictured below. I'd like to remove the paint from them, but I don't want to use paint thinners or similar solvents. What household tools can I use to remove the paint? <Q> Your best bet is probabl...	Heating the bottle first may soften the paint (to heat it without the risk of cracking, put it in a cold oven and turn on) but it may just make the paint smell bad.
How can I remove CA glues (e.g. Super Glue) from a material? I recently got some Super Glue on the sole of my shoe, while working on a craft. Luckily, my shoe wasn't on the ground long enough to be glued to the floor, but now, the entire bottle of superglue is stuck to my shoe (it's a small, 5 mL bottle). How can I ge...	To get the superglue off of your shoe, try and use nail polish remover (that contains acetone). Letting the affected area sit in some water and laundry detergent can also help. You should know the materials you are working with to best match your debonder. Acetone is generally recommended here but try to test it in a n...
How can I make my own perforated edge? I'd like to make my own perforated edges on paper, so I can tear certain designs instead. I don't like the odds of tears when I just fold back and forth, and I don't want to use cutting in this case. I'm making some small books and I want to take my printed pages and make them e...	It can cut but also perforate: you can also control how deep the cuts are. Much of this will depend on what stitch types your machine is capable of. Well, I guess not as perfect as the ones on stamps and such but close, especially seeing as they are less than a few dollars. It's a wooden handle with a spinning gear typ...
What can I do to reduce pain while crocheting? I understand that this will happen regardless with this kind of relative motion. Especially with smaller models where your hands are constantly trying to keep proper tension of the yarn. Still though, this is something that all crocheters must deal with. I suppose the e...	The last point of advice that I have for you is that if you start to feel any pain at all, stop, stretch, and give yourself a few minutes before you go back to it. Other suggestions--try using different yarn. For me, I've generally found that plenty of aerobic exercise to increase circulation through tight sore muscles...
Which kind of pencils should be used by a beginner for drawing? I am curious what people would consider a basic / standard pencil type to have in their toolbox for pencil sketching. There are a ton of variants I see with different hardness/softness etc and I don't plan to do anything advanced just want to sketch thing...	Mechanical pencil leads are fragile, and helps to teach gentleness of hand, encouraging the beginner to learn how to position the pencil such to put force into a line without damaging the tool.
How can I attach casters to a 1/4" plywood board when I only have access to one side? I built a prop that consists of a box with casters on the bottom. The bottom of the box is 1/4" plywood. The casters are attached with machine screws; the nut and top of the screw are hidden by fabric sewn to the inside of the box. Th...	First I would glue the plate to the bottom with strong construction kit and then add some screws for extra strength.
How can I clean a paintbrush used in acrylic paint? When I try to look up videos or tips for painting with acrylic, I always see them dipping the paintbrush into water to clean. But every time I paint with acrylic paint, it seems there is a never ending supply of paint in my brush. Am I worrying too much about over-cl...	Use some paint brush soap (or plain old hand soap) and really work up a lather.
What should I look for when getting a treadle sewing machine second hand? I already explored getting a modern sewing machine second hand in this question . Now I would like to consider a treadle as well. I quite enjoy traditional tools where muscle power is used over electricity. It give me a more accomplished feeli...	I would say its a better idea to pick up a machine at an estate sale or tag sale in your local area. Move the treadle to be sureit functions, and check the rods that connect it to the wheel.
What can I do to make my simple hooks more comfortable? When I started out I thought that the tools for crocheting were pretty cheap to acquire. Anytime I needed another hook ( or lost one ) I would just head over to the dollar store and get one for usually under 2 bucks. I also never understood why so many had grips o...	Personally, I used foam pencil grips with the addition of some band aids to thicken the hook.
Dim lighting with colored pencils I asked a similar question to this recently ( Shading dark scenes ) but this time I want to know how I can get a colored pencil drawing to look very shadowy and dark. How do I color the picture where it looks like the figure is somewhere with very dim lighting? (For example, in a room...	For you I would suggest playing with your colour pencils to create a 'dim' colour palette in comparison with your inspiration images. As for using candles to light the scene, the side closest to the candle should obviously be bright, with three to four different shades blending into each other quickly as you move away ...
How to cut gift cards in order to make a mosaic? I have a box of ~1000 (void) gift cards of various colors from my old job because I expressed interest in making a mosaic from the colorful plastic bits. My question is: how to cut them? I've tried: Kitchen Shears: the dull edge is perfect for a plant stem, but it ju...	If you score one surface of the card, with something like a craft knife, you should be able to make it snap along the score line. There are acrylic/plexiglass cutters you could try.
How can I strengthen my melted bead art? So I build pixel-esque bead arts for people for gifts and such. But when I need to send them places, they sometimes fall apart. Charizard Pixel Bead Art (Example above is not my work. Belongs to another artist.)It is just a referential image. And I am just wondering how to ...	It might be possible to use thin, clear plastic sheets, if you can find an adhesive that works and dries clear / without streaks. As with many materials, tempering is the answer.
Can boiled linseed oil be used for oil painting applications or cleaning brushes? Home depot/lowes etc have boiled linseed oil at a much cheaper rate than the local art store that I go to. Are there any problem using boiled linseed oil from these home stores for use in oil painting applications/ cleaning brushes etc?...	Raw linseed oil is a slow drying product and may be refined.
How to draw a grid over and image that won't be printed? In high school, I used to print images, draw grids over them and carry them around in my sketch book. Now, I have my smartphone with me all the time and am almost never near a cheap and easy printer. Needless to say, I usually use my phone to find art projects or...	There are a few grid drawings apps for the iPhone that I know of.
What materials can be used to fill a puffy jacket? I have this jacket pattern . In case it's relevant, I'll be making it in a medium weight twill. I'm also adding a lightweight silky lining to give it a nice finish and make it easy to put on. In planning my jacket, I thought perhaps I could make it warmer by adding s...	Poly fill and down seem suitable for very puffy jackets ( source ), but didn't fit my vision of this particular one - might be too puffy, plus the lining would have to be more complicated to keep it distributed evenly.
How can I write in white ballpoint pen ink on black paper? Are there white ink ballpoint pens (not felt or fountain pens) that write on black paper, in a way that is close to frictionless and noiseless, with ink that dries fast and won't blotch the paper? Are there hues of white ink that are easily readable (high cont...	White gel pens are good to have because they are really easy to control and can do small details.
What are practical advantages and disadvantages of learning to use both hands to draw? This question is not only about using both hands simultaneously, it's about being able to use either of your hands in general. By practical, I mean advantages and disadvantages in terms of drawing. In other words I'm not talking abou...	An ambidextrous artist can use whichever hand will produce a desired mark best. It is considered a good practice to do to increase your awareness to detail, your drawing skills and good for your brain. You've already identified the fact that being equally proficient with both hands gives you some redundancy in case of ...
How can I prep a pumpkin for painting? I'm trying to paint a white pumpkin, and I'm having some issues with applying the paint. I'm using acrylic paint, craft-grade not art-grade, and applying it with brushes. I clean the surface off, first, but nothing else. The main issue is that the paint applies too thinly, becau...	You need a paint primer that is water resistant. In your case I would try an epoxy primer to coat the surface of the pumpkin.
How can I fix or prevent getting holes in my jeans near the crotch? I am a male and I get a hole in the crotch of my jeans all the time. It happens in about 6-12 months of owning the jeans. It always happens in the same spot. I have tried many different brands now and it happens to all of them. What is causing this? Wh...	This can also be exacerbated by wearing pants that are too tight so that it's relatively tight around the upper leg or ones you shrunk by washing in hot water and running them in a dryer. Darning is one of the best ways to repair denim. The main reason this falls under this topic, is the design. You can get an iron-on ...
Thread for sewing silk? I have a pair of silk pajama pants that have come apart along one seam on the leg. There’s no damage to the cloth and it’s spreading very slowly, so there was just some flaw and that bit of seam was not fastened properly. To fix it, what kind of thread and needle should be used? I’m leery of ...	For special fabrics, like silk (which can also become brittle and degrade easily with age), I recommend using thread that is most like the fiber content of the fabric you want to repair, in this case, silk thread for sewing on silk fabric.
Are there any stitches that are specific to knitting/crocheting only? I wanted to know if there are any stitches that only be achieved through knitting as well as any stitches that can achieve through crocheting only? <Q> Not completely. <S> You can get the same effects or the same journey of the thread/string while us...	There are a few stitches which need both knitting and crochetting.
Will there be a noticeable offset if knitting rib from an unravelled edge? Background: I'm in the process of knitting a jumper 'freehand', i.e. without a pattern. I started from the bottom edge, knit in the round up to the armholes, split the knitting, continued to the top of the shoulders, and then did a three-needl...	You're correct in that the fluffiness of the yarn and the colour of the jumper should hide the offset to some degree.
Keep yarn slack from developing in my work as I perform a basic knit stitch I am a very novice knitter trying to do a small blanket with a basic knit stitch. I am working with 100% cotton yarn and I have 16 inch bamboo needles. I cast on fine and where I am getting stuck is on the knit stitch. I do the first stitch and...	Choosing the right size needle will make your knitting feel more natural.
What should I use to connect my empty toilet paper rolls? I'm building a pyramid made out of empty toiler paper rolls . I'm creating the pyramid as a bunch of rows, with the first row being a singe tube, the second one has two tubes connected, etc. (When it falls over this makes it a lot easier to reassemble, and make...	Paperclips (even if just from behind, though from both front and behind would be sturdier; each tube would be clipped to all the tubes adjacent to it). Even the cheap ones should be fine for this.
Transparent paint to change color of diffused acrylic sheet? I'm working on a costume that will require some accent lighting. I plan to accomplish this with a few small circuits to power white LEDs behind some diffused acrylic cutouts, so that the cutouts will glow. The problem I'm encountering is that the accent light...	Rather than paint, which might peel weirdly on you, another option is to use inkjet transparency film and print the color you want on it and then affix it the acrylic.
How to paint paper mache rose So I created this paper mache rose. As you can see, it's not very large. As you also can see, it still has the colour of newspaper. Now, roses in newspaper colour aren't very pretty, so I'd like to change that. What is the best approach to apply some paint? What type of paint would work b...	If you have a dual-action airbrush and a volatile pigment like alcohol inks, you can spray the rose from a distance at low pressure with a high air-to-paint ratio.
What materials can I use in a kids project to simulate simple cell biology? A colleague of mine has a kid in junior high school (she is 13 for context). She has a project where she needs to make a simulation of cell structure and components. Similar to the example image below: Image from tyrocity.com What she wan...	You could use plastic strip material taped into the desired shapes, perhaps held on the outside by cardboard cut-outs, akin to the old Operation game.
Printing with Sodium bicarbonate I'm going to be 'printing' with a baking soda and water solution. I need to apply the solution to a surface that will hold it long enough to lay a piece of paper on it and saturate particular areas of the paper, the letter forms. What is the best surface to use. I've contemplated sponge...	Place a thin absorbent material on the hard flat surface and soak it with the solution. Start with a sheet of cork and carve your letter forms as a base-relief
How to overcome the fear of imperfection? In all of my art classes, and virtually anywhere I encounter new artists, the number one obstacle I see holding them back is a "fear of imperfection." So I'd like to submit this question to any/all established artists, what tips/advice do you have for "new artists" to overcome ...	Instead of focusing on a 'mistake' or making part of a drawing 'just right' you keep on drawing until you finish.
Glue for sides of cross stitch work I would like, in order to prevent frays, to glue the sides and the thread stops of a finished work. The work should then be washable. Which kind of glue should l use? <Q> These glues tend to be thinner, which would give you a less noticeable and stiff edge. <S> They are usually clea...	You could try fray check .
Is it possible to buy 'ethical fur'? I enjoy crafting leather armour. As part of an Orc design I am going for, I would like to buy some animal fur to complete the brutish/primal look. I have bought several faux furs off ebay, but they either look incredibly cheap, or they "shed" a lot of hair. So I turned to authentic ...	Asking around thrift stores or estate sale agents may give some leads; even if they would typically discard such items due to probable disinterest, letting them know you're interested means they could inform you next time an old coat is available.
Why do artists use pigments instead of dyes in paintings? Is there a reason why many famous paintings and artists use pigments instead of dyes as colorants? Some pigments are quite expensive and I am not sure why artists chose them over dyes, which are usually cheaper. <Q> While more historical artists likely didn't un...	As @John Cavan stated in his response, pigments do not break down in their binder, which means that the colors that they produce are much more stable from use to use. Most artists used the best materials for the job they could afford.
Blackening steel with oil vs. vinegar - and others? I'd like to finish a lamp I made of brazed chain, and so far my reading has uncovered blackening with oil (linseed or motor), or with apple cider vinegar. What is the difference between these two? The vinegar seems to create a thin layer of Ferric Acetate on the steel...	For mixed metals especially if brass is involved I would use oil paints or if the closest approximation to traditional blacking is desired try lamp black with boiled linseed oil and brush it on cold then wipe the excess off.
How can I make a peeling paint effect? I'm working on designing a set for a stop motion animation, and I'd like to have a wall that looks like peeling paint— something like this .I would be able to have a plywood board painted one color, which is peeling to reveal another color of paint underneath. What paints and te...	For the two color effect, a poorly done initial coat of one color allowed to dry, then painted with the top color and subjected to extreme conditions might also enhance the results. Alternatively, one could find an old building that meets your visual requirement and offer to purchase a wall panel!
How to make pistachio shells stick together for decorations? When looking for images of nutshells in order to make a witty snarky reply to CreationEdge♦ in chat, I came across some wonderful pictures of pistachio-shell decorations: How inspiring and beautiful these things are! Next time I eat pistachios, I might ke...	In a nutshell, the answer is your old friend the hot glue gun. The shells on pistachios at least are hard enough that most people just push a pin or nail through the shell to make a small hole.
How can I attach a large satin applique to a skirt? I'm making a skirt, and I'd like to attach an applique of a thin satiny fabric to the thicker base fabric. It's going to be in the shape of a city skyline, with the satiny stuff as the buildings. It's a circle skirt, like this: except the buildings will go all the way...	Otherwise, you could cut out a negative-space stencil of the pattern, put double-edged tape on the cut edges, place the stencil on the skirt base fabric, and either paint the positive space (the bare fabric) with a brush or spray paint.
What is this handmade ceramic good for? We have bought this beautiful piece of ceramic. We have no idea how it is supposed to be used beyond the obvious decorative purpose. Any idea? It has an opening but we don't think it can be used as a salt (or pepper) shaker since the holes on the windows are too big and too c...	To me those holes look like something you would see in an incense holder.
Economical ideas for lettered t-shirts We are seven friends planning to watch a sports game, and we are trying to get seven t-shirts that have the letters F E D E R E R. Buying them online seems expensive, and where it's cheaper you need to order 100 or more of them. What is the most economical way we can get this don...	On coloured shirts you can use white markers as well, but do test that the marker shows up before you spend a lot of money on it.
How to erase pencil under ink? I use an HB pencil, very light, to sketch before drawing with ink. I use Staedtler ink pen and Staedtler plastic eraser ( whit rectangular with blu paper around ) The problem is that when i erase the pencil under the ink, the ink seems to fade. I'm using the wrong eraser or is the ink ...	One solution would be to apply only a basic layer of ink above the pencil, leaving you the opportunity to reapply the ink after erasure. I use Koh-I-Noor rapidograph pens and india ink.
Why is my metallic Sharpie drawing thinned out and transparent lines? I recently bought a gold Sharpie marker (regular Sharpie, not the oil-based ones), but it's writing almost clear. It's not dried up, there's plenty of liquid, but the color is very thinned out and transparent rather than opaque, and shaking it doesn...	The thinness you are seeing is that your pen is dispensing more of the inks suspension medium than its pigment particles. Think of it as a paint can that has been sitting for a long time and needs to be stirred before use.
How can I cut a near perfect circle out of a plastic bottle? I am hoping to make a simple spinner treat dispenser for my Australian shepard. Basically it is plastic container with a rod/dowel suspending them in the air. Treats or food are put inside and the weight holds the bottle down. If the dog uses sufficient force...	Because your circle is so small, use a small scissors or manicure scissors. Filling the bottle with sand might provide the necessary internal support, and not damage the cutter too badly. A rolled edge or similar result from melting the edges may provide additional rigidity and additional material to wear longer than a...
It is easier to learn to use oil paint or acrylic paint? Is it easier to use acrylic paint or oil paint? I'm trying to get into painting and I want to know which one has the best consistency. <Q> Oil paint dries slowly and mixes well on canvas (A thin paint will stick to a thick paint). <S> It also adds texture but s...	Acrylic is easier to start with, yes, absolutely.
Painting a flag without paint bleeding Background story : I bought a 3'x5' cotton flag and I painted it as seen in the photo. I made a mockup in photoshop and used a big T-square and pencil to sketch the shape of the numbers. They turned out super parallel, very straight, and very accurately sized. I covered the edges...	Your best option for "precision" may be a craft known as batik.
How to remove Corona bottle printing? I'm planning to use recycled Corona bottles to pack some juice I'm producing, but to put my own logo on these bottles, I want to remove the original printed brand. In my city, and even in my whole country there is no recycling plants so there is basically nowhere to get help. I tr...	This was the solution for me: Hydrochloric acid alone worked perfectly , the bottle was put into it for less than one day, and after that it was rinsed with water (almost no rubbing was needed) and everything was removed in less than 10 seconds. Some of the bottles which had hosted those paper labels still had a little...
How can I paint consistently coloured lines with acrylic paint? I like the idea of being able to dip my brush into the paint and then paint a shape in one shot, without having to go back over it. In my experiments so far I am having to go over each line several times to stop the background colour from showing through ...	If your paint doesn't contain enough pigments, that can only be achieved by putting several layers of paint over each other.
What is the purpose of an underpainting? As I got interested in painting in oil and acrylics (and other covering techniques), I came across the term 'underpainting', i.e. a painting under the actual painting, that sometimes exhibits color, and sometimes only the tonality of the image to be. It seems that the underpain...	The reasons I like to use underpainting when doing art in oil or acrylic are: Sometimes having small/subtle areas where the underpainting shows through can add interest to the painting.
Which glue should I use to attach paper to glass? When making things that go in bottles (primarily beer), I want to add labels to the bottles. I like the look of matte paper labels such as those found on fancy wine bottles, but I'm having difficulty attaching the paper to the glass. Superglue and PVA soak through the p...	In factories they use big(ish) machines to spray the glue on the bottles, but you can use a hand held hot glue gun as well.
Hand painting with spray paint? Is it possible to take spray paint, spray it in a cup, and use it to hand paint with? I have a bottle of it, but no other paint and I want this hue. Just wondering if I can use this temporarily. <Q> Spray paint, by design is in a pressurized container, to belabor the obvious. <S> When us...	Another option is to find a nozzle from a product using "spray straws" that direct the substance. As you probably know, spray paint dries very fast, so spraying it into a container could result in it drying.
How to Sew Up "Cut Outs", (Shapes Cut Into Fabrics)? I would like to cut letters INTO a piece of cloth, but - I would like to "fold" the inside edge under itself to make a nicer edge, (perhaps helping prevent it from unravelling/tearing in the future ...). But, when you fold the fabric under itself, you either hav...	A crisp cut will give the fabric flexibility to fold under neatly, and you can roll it a tiny bit more to hide the clipped spot. Using Fabric Glue (one brand is Fray Check): use the fabric glue bottle like a pen, squeeze a thin line along the outline of your letters.
Why aren't there mechanical pastel pencils? I like mechanical graphite pencils (e.g. 0.5 mm), because they are sharp, they do not contain wood (are eco-friendly and do not generate any waste) and they do not require sharpening which can consume the pastel core as well. And I like pastel pencils because I like drawing s...	For a lot of mechanical pencils, the lead will break, and for clutch pencils, it will let it slide back in so that you don't damage the graphite. Having it in such a small diameter would most likely break it.
How to intentionally fray curved edges in fabric? Closely Related: - How to Sew Up "Cut Outs", (Shapes Cut Into Fabrics)? In the related question , there are solutions for prevent frayed edges in fabric. But, could you avoid the complexity of sealing, folding, or stitching those edges - by intentionally leaving "ni...	Most importantly, not all edges will fray equally on a circle shape.
Creating Color Bleed From Magazine Cutouts Im currently working on an art collage project where I want to cause the dyes and inks from magazine cutouts to bleed, smear, and run across their paper. I have tried paint thinner, bleach, vinegar, fire, but nothing is creating this bleed effect that I desire. Is there some h...	If the magazines are glossy then it might be a bit tricky, non-glossy ones should work fine when treated with White Spirit She uses NatGeo for hers because the paper is impregnated with clay.
Remove duct tape adhesive residue from fabric I have an article of clothing that had duct tape on it at one point, but after pulling off the duct tape residue remains. I've debated buying Goo Gone but I am worried about discoloration. The fabric is all black, no patterns. What would be the best way to remove the duct...	It's likely that Goo Gone will work and you may be able to soak the fabric in the liquid to allow better penetration. Without knowing fiber content and how the item was processed and dyed, there is always a risk when experimenting with chemicals on textiles.
Crafting a sturdy, not heavy mask for shows I have a metal band that use costumes for shows, I need to craft a mask that is durable but not too heavy, since I will use it on live presentations. I tried to make it using plastered gauze, but it seems too flexible. Here's visual representation (the grid part is inside). ...	I'd recommend first making a pattern for the mask out of taped-together construction paper and then using that to cut out & shape foam or Worbla pieces to your liking. While papier-mache is undoubtedly the easiest way to make this type of 'plague doctor masks', the originals were made of leather and if you have the ski...
How to remove coating from metal ring? I've got this here ring. It's covered in some sort of grey paint or varnish that I can scrape off to reveal a copper base. I'd like to remove all of the varnish, and scraping will only do so much - I cannot, for example, scrape off the varnish on the inner edges. What can I us...	If the varnish comes off, put the ring into fresh paint thinner to soak a few minutes, in order to remove the final residue, wiping the ring between rinsing soaks.
Which needle size will give me the longer scarf? I bought two nice skeins while on vacation, and cannot go get any more of the same wool. Now I want to knit a scarf, but I'm afraid it may be a bit too short for my taste, so I want to maximize the length. I want to use a specific pattern and cannot change the number of ...	If you can't change the number of stitches, the only way to make sure you have enough yarn for more rows is to use a smaller needle.
How to improve control of hand whilst drawing on tablet? I got a tablet yesterday and had been drawing for almost 2 hours straight, drawing over the outline of already drawn figures in photoshop. I have always wanted to draw so when I saw a sale of a tablet for 35 euro's I went for it. The problem is, I can create so...	If you find you need further assistance, software like Lazy Nezumi will stabilize your strokes, giving you much smoother lines in general. Try holding the pen (stylus) higher up (away from the ‘nib’) and moving the stylus using your shoulder and elbow. Practice is the main way for you to improve your control and line q...
Fabric alternative for leather I'm planning to sew a costume based on a character who is wearing what appears to be a leather duster. I'm trying to pinpoint what fabric to use, as leather is expensive and I can't afford to buy enough at a time to make a full jacket. I'm considering other options such as upholstery viny...	Fake leather (AKA 'pleather') is widely available in your chosen price range, and the weight and texture are (as you'd expect) pretty close. Also waxed cotton would be great as your mockup so you can tailor and make adjustments.
Soldering iron to make holes in sticks? I am making hamster toys and equipment. I have successfully used a soldering iron to make holes in plastic and cardboard. My question is, can I use it to make holes in small sticks? (As in small pieces of tree branches.) If you need to know what kind of tree -- probably willo...	You may be able to use a sharply pointed knife for a smaller stick, but a drill really is going to be your best bet.
Cheap alternative to glass? I recently researched alternatives to glass for permanent framing/protection, and I found that glassine paper is supposedly a good cheap alternative. I ordered it on Amazon, but I was very unhappy with it. It was barely transparent and the glassine obstructed the viewer from seeing my art an...	Generally speaking, the appropriate way to protect pastels is with a so-called shadow box, where the paper or board is floated above the backing plate of the frame and still has air-space to the glass.
What markers are like sharpies without the fumes? My 5-year-old's gotten really into drawing all kinds of things with sharpies, but the smell is pretty awful (and mildly unhealthy). What marker has the look-and-feel without the fumes. The super-permanence of sharpies is not necessary. In fact, not bleeding through t...	If I was looking for such markers in my area I would go to the shops where they sell toys and craft items for kids, specially the kind of shop where they sell the cheaper items.
How can I remove glue from leather without ruining the leather? We've been doing some leather work and we're using super glue to hold the edges together uniformly before stitching for a better hold. The issue I keep having is that if there is any glue residue on the leather, the stain I'm using doesn't stain, and inst...	Take a scrap piece of leather and apply several dots of glue to it, then let them dry.
Seeking inspiration - are there professional watercolor pencil artists and if no - why not? I like watercolor pencil technique very much. Are there professional artists that work in watercolor pencil tehnique. If no - then why not? Soft pastels and soft pastel pencils are accepted and rather widely used medium by profe...	Generally speaking, any medium becomes respectable when there is an artist acclaimed by some critics (whose opinion you should better ignore; consider your own instead) that uses it.
What type of glue to stick paper on paper without curling? I want to make super thick invitation cards. When I use white glue, it looks great for a day but then it starts curling. Any idea what I can use ? <Q> Glue stick doesn’t curl paper. <S> You have to be careful what brand you chose, though (some just don’t stick...	Try either an acrylic medium or PVA glue (like the kind for woodworking).
What features should I look for in circular knitting needles to make them easier to use with my arthritis? I have arthritis in my hands and the smaller length needles are a little hard to hold onto. Would longer needles help, if they exist? Is there anything else to consider, such as needle material (wood vs. metal vs....	Wood needles may be easier for you to grip, as would larger diameter needles.
Fasteners other than Hook and Loop I am looking for fastener options to attach 2 fabrics and also keep them detachable. I am working on an adjustable knee brace so small hook and loop patches are a good option but they are difficult to sew on. So, I have also tried snap buttons that can be easily punched instead of sew...	For soft, adjustable, with a firm connection, that won't hurt when you fall or kneel on it, you really only have one option: sew-on hook and loop fasteners. Plastic will have more give than the old-fashioned metal snaps.
Does anyone know how to add color to a piece of art (paint, ink, art) I know this is an odd question, but I get really confused and frustrated when I try to add color to something I draw. I don't ever get any farther than line art because I get confused as to how to add color for things like shading or whatever. Does a...	Once you find a set of colors which work for your particular drawing, you can either print it out on a color printer, or if you are looking for more authentic, human results, you can brush in the chosen colors on the original canvas, turning your line drawing into a painting.
Patch for a rip in the lining of a down jacket An Eddie Bauer down jacket has a rip in the lining which according to the label is polyester. It's a very thin fabric and it looked reminiscent of nylon but the label is quite clear that the lining is polyester. Right now I am holding the down inside with a couple of pie...	The easiest thing to do in this situation if you don't need to stock up on this type of product, is to take the jacket to a dry cleaner or tailor shop and get a quote on the repair. I would suggest using a patch of the same type of material that you are sewing onto.
What kind of glue to use for large area paper to wood that is visible while wet? I am having trouble getting a gluing process that I like for large surfaces. I need to attach wrapping paper to 4'x8' sheets of plywood. For small paper-to-wood gluing, wood glue works great. For slightly larger regions, up to about 11...	A product that comes to mind when reading your post is that you may benefit from using contact adhesives, also known as contact cement.
Is it possible to make a scissor-like hinge out of cardboard? I came up with an idea for a tool to measure how many heads tall a figure is. Problem is, I don't know how to make the hinges work. What I mean by 'scissor hinge' (I don't know if that's the correct term or not) is a 'hinge' where two long flat pieces (let'...	Brass fasteners can be used to connect two pieces of cardboard so that they rotate about the connected point.
Which of those pictures is more abstract? Let's consider the two following illustrations from the NASA posters collection: N°1 N°2 My questions are: Would it make sense to state that one of these picture is more abstract, in an artistic meaning, than the other one? If so, which one would be deemed more abstrac...	I would suggest that the second example is more abstracted since it is less naturalistic in appearance than the first, but that, strictly speaking, neither constitutes the “formally pure” definition of abstract art
Kinds of paper to use with watercolors? I mainly use Bristol, but it becomes wavy after a few coats of water. I have some regular watercolor paper, but I'm not a fan of the roughness of it. Are there other types of watercolor paper I should be aware of? <Q> Cold pressed has some texture to it. <S> If you like a smoothe...	There is cold pressed water colour paper and hot pressed.
How can you make a costume with opaque eye covers? Basically, my question is: is it possible to make a real life costume in which the eyes of the person wearing it are fully covered with opaque material but the person can still see through it, and if it is possible, how can you do it? In the case of Dead Pool, his ey...	Peer through the holes and you can see (or not see) that even tiny holes will provide good viewing. For this Lego Batman costume, we covered the eyeholes with white gauze (ok, actually patches cut from some old pantyhose). Perforated vinyl is exactly what the name says, a sheet of vinyl material with a pattern of tiny ...
Is there a name for this style and/or "subject matter" of art? Is there a particular term for style of illustration found on Codenames: Pictures cards, and/or is there a term for the subject matter? Ideally I'd like a term, or phrase, or something to describe the subject matter specifically -- this weird combination...	There are definitely simplified elements of surrealism here.
Which glue should I use to bond sea shells to steel and/or stone? What kind of glue should I use to glue sea shells to steel and sea shells to stone? These will be displayed outside. I have tried a hot glue gun but it doesn't do well outside. <Q> Depending on how ‘shock-proof’ you need it to be, you have a couple op...	There are other acrylic adhesives that will also bond well to metal, and polyurethane glues etc.
Do you need a buffer to get a shiny finish on jewelery? Having a giant electrical machine just for buffing metal isn't convenient for me. If I could, I would prefer to just sand away. Is it possible to obtain as good of a finish as you would see with a buffer by using continuously less course sand-paper layer by layer?...	You could repurpose a carpentry drill, Dremel rotary tool, or even a makeup nail buffer to serve as a small buffer. Finishing jewellery by hand is the traditional way to do it, and as you can see the results can be excellent.
Can I use oil paints without also needing special cleaning supplies? I have a bunch of oil paint tubes that I got as a gift a while back. I really want to try them out but I don't want to use any solvents, thinners, nor have any loose materials that need to be disposed/cleaned in some special way. Is there a way to ...	you can use cooking oil to loose the paint, wipe as much of the oil off as you can with tissue paper, and then wash the materials with hot water and soap.
Replicating a silicone object There are lots of articles and how-to guides on the web showing how to replicate a plastic, wood, or metal object by making a silicone mold and using a hard acrylic or epoxy resin to create the object. I have the opposite problem. I want to replicate an object that itself is made of si...	I agree with #torjek that a separator (mold-release) spray or liquid would make it possible to caste a silicone object with silicone as the mold making material.
How can I affix a ball bearing to a metal shaft without welding? I am making a ball joint for a figure and have decided on ball bearings since they're easy to source in the correct size. I need to attach the ball to a shaft of some sort, like a small steel rod. The bearing will be small, approximately 1/4 inch in di...	The first step is the hardest: drill out the tip of the screw to form a cup that will locate the ball (in all but one case I've been able to get this done on a lathe). You'll get best results (easiest brazing and strong joint) with high-silver content brazing wire.
What's the difference between cheap pencils and crayons for coloring? I heard that colored pencils use wax (or clay) as a pigment vehicle, and crayons (wax pastels) use wax as pigment vehicle. I found recently that crayons are mind blowingly cheap (96 crayola crayons for $6), whereas colored pencils tend to go for at ...	I have found over the years that sometimes the cheaper crayons and pencils can be better than the expensive ones, but it takes time and experimentation to find what works well and what is truly junk.
Sewing machine problem: machine won't tighten the loops under the material A year ago I loaned my Brother XL-2600i to my kid's school, and only now have I tried using it again. Yep: they messed it up. The thread tangles up around the bobbin, and it makes grinding noises. Disassembling it, I found a broken needle insid...	A slight push on the bobbin case every time after inserting it solved the problem for me.
Is it possible to darken a pencil drawing to match the colour of charcoal? I am busy sketching the Mona Lisa using pencil and charcoal (unfortunately I cannot add the picture).I used pencil to do her face and head in the beginning and then used charcoal to start doing the dress. The problem I ran into was that the dres...	The charcoal can also be lightened up a bit by carefully blotting with a dry soft cloth, paper towels or kneaded eraser if you need to do so.
How can I draw right angles with just a ruler? If I am trying to draw a rectangle or square on a piece of paper I can use existing corners of the paper as a start point. However I lose accuracy when completing the square or shape on the inside of the paper. In some cases I plan on cutting this and using it a template. ...	If you were precise, you've got your perfect rectangle with accurate right angles. First draw a circle, making sure to leave a mark at the center. Use the ruler to measure those distances along each edge of the paper and mark those locations: Align the ruler with the matching marks on opposite sides of the sheet and dr...
Type of adhesive to use to attach seashells to a frame already glued to a wall Some of the hot glued shells have fallen off the frame. I didn’t sand the frame since it has the color/finish I like and I don’t want to “cover” the frame entirely. I used Tacky craft glue but it took too long to dry. Crazy glue didn’t wo...	An alternative to the E6000 that I've used and like is Aleene's Jewelry & Metal glue, its like superglue gel...
How to drill a hole on diecast toy using dremel? I just bought a new-ray helicopter diecast toy . I want to modify it a bit, and one of the plan is to make holes for the windows (square, around 5mm by 5mm). What I'm thinking is to use dremel to drill a small hole (around 2mm diameter) and then enlarge the hole using d...	Any drill bit of the right size will work fine here.
Is there a grade or type of paper that will take glue without wrinkling? Most of the question is in the title: I'm trying to find a kind of paper that I can slather in wet glue without it wrinkling. I've seen this question - How can paper be glued to cardboard without creating wrinkles? - which suggests either givi...	You can try using styrofoam glue or other alcohol-based glue, this way the paper will not soak up with the glue. Additionally you can use paper made with cotton.
Which paint and glue to use for a golden walnut? My goal is to craft a "golden" walnut by painting two empty shell halves and then glue them together. So, my requirements on the paint are: color will be golden if this matters should not smear off should not hide surface nuances somewhat water proof, but not expe...	A slightly “fancier” version than paint is gold leaf.
What is a castable gold-coloured metal that is less expensive than gold? I have plans for a table with a gold inlay. Problem is, gold is expensive and the inlay is quite large (it's not a 'wire' inlay - I'd be casting a pretty substantial piece and setting it into the table). I'd like to use a different metal that I ca...	There is no other easily available alloy than Copper based ones that are gold colored.
Fixing cracks in air-dried clay? Whenever I work with air-dry clays, the sculpture shrinks in size and there occurs lots of cracks. It is really time consuming, and hard to fix. So far, I tried filling in the cracks with glue and clay, then I sand the sculpture to get a smooth surface as much as I can. However, it is n...	When your sculpture cracks, you should moisten the cracked area, fill it in with fresh clay and really rub it into the crack to attach it to the dried clay.
Can I be a painter as colorblind? https://enchroma.com/pages/moderate-protan Based on this and previous, "normal" (with doctor) tests I'm having red-green color blindness. As for real life experience, I don't think it's very strong, I can see the difference in tone and color more or less (at least I think). I'd love ...	One option, used by some, are to use special glasses that allow someone with colorblindness to see more color.
How to free this sewing pin from the finished shirt I had something rather silly happen today. I altered the cuff of a storebought shirt, then machine washed the shirt. While hanging it, I noticed this: There is a pin left in the cuff. Its head is stuck between the two layers of the cuff piece, and its length pokes ...	Most of the metal shaft of the pin (including the pointy part) can be removed by cutting through it with wire cutters, being careful to minimize the length left still attached to the head, while simultaneously not damaging the fabric with the cutters.
Paraffin candle burnt (or rather melted) WAY too quickly? So... I'm new to candle making; I got some paraffin (nobody here sells soy wax), molds, stearic acid and other ingredients. Today I was trying the second candle I made; it was not a small candle at all, it was about 6cm x 10cm; I used about 240 grams of wax for ...	What's important, I think, is not the size necessarily, but the diameter of the candle that's exposed to the flame. So my guess is the capillarity of the wick was too low.
What is the best way to sew knit/stretchy fabrics? I’ve done my research and actually tried some of them but the end results are the same: wonky. I’m using needles specifically for knit fabrics, I have used a knit foot. I have tried adjusting the tension…I have also tried placing a paper underneath the fabric. They al...	I mostly sew with stiffer, woven fabrics, and have good luck gently guiding them through the machine from behind, but with a stretch fabric, it's important to make sure you're not pulling it through.

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