Instructables – DIY How To Make Instructions, is a free app for exactly that  – free instructions on easy and creative arts and crafts projects.

Instructables is very user-friendly and it is easy to search through categories. One can either look for technology-, food-, play- or workshop-related projects, or simply type on the search bar. Instructables also offers a “Featured” and a “Recent” page so there are new projects to look forward to every day.

There are very unique projects in this app, from “Nutella BBQ Sauce” and “Banana Foster French Toast” to “Simple Intercom From a Pair of Old Corded Phones.” It illustrates the steps through easy-to-follow pictures and detailed instructions.

Users can vote and comment on their favorite projects, and those favorites are put on the Featured page. Sharing with friends who do not have the app is also simple, since Instructables offers a sharing button where emailing and posting the project on Facebook becomes easy.

Some users of the app, though, suggest the app could use some improvements. Arts & Sciences freshman Sebastian Rodriguez says that the way the projects are presented are not attractive to him, or the artwork of the app could use improvement and be more eye-catching.

Through the app, you can follow friends who are also signed up and see their interests. It is also possible to upload your own ‘Do-It-Yourself’ projects and share them with other users. Specific users that are of interest to you can be followed too, so it is easy to keep up to date with their uploads and new projects.

One interesting special feature of the app is that various contests are held every week. One can upload his or her creation and sign up to participate in the competition, which is composed of different categories, for example a DIY project for Valentine’s Day. Winners get prices.

There are tons of DIY apps in the app store, but this is the first one that engages its users.