Easy Sewing: Embellishing Ready-Made Garments with Decorative Stitches

Easy Sewing: Embellishing Ready-Made Garments with Decorative Stitches

Do you ever wonder what to do with the decorative stitches on your sewing machine? Or maybe you don’t have many decorative stitches and wish you had more? Let me show you some easy ways to transform plain clothing into something exciting using just a few simple stitches! With these tips, you’ll start seeing possibilities in the plain garments you already own—and maybe even find new life in those store-bought tops on clearance!

What You’ll Need:

• Garment to Embellish: Grab a plain shirt, dress, or jacket.
• Sewing Machine: Any machine with basic stitches will work. You don't need a fancy one!
• Twin Needle (Optional): If your machine can zigzag, you can use a twin needle to create double lines with basic stitches.
• Thread and Stabilizer: Stabilizer is helpful to keep the fabric in place while stitching.

Fun Ideas to Try:

1. Double Stitches with a Twin Needle
   1. Even if your machine doesn’t have a lot of decorative stitches, you can still create interesting patterns using a twin needle. This needle allows you to sew two lines at once. Try this out with a zigzag stitch, and you’ll be surprised how different your fabric looks!
      
      

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2. Straight Stitch Accent
   1. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple straight stitch! You can create lovely patterns just by adding straight stitches to your garment. It's easy and looks clean.
3. Stripes of Stitches
   1. If your top has stripes, add some decorative stitches along the stripe lines. It’s a great way to blend design with structure.
      
4. Add a Pop of Color
   1. Sometimes, all a plain top needs is a new color! Try adding decorative stitches in a contrasting thread along the sleeve hem or neckline to make your outfit stand out.
      
5. Dress Up the Neckline
   1. A plain neckline is the perfect canvas for decorative stitches. Add a fun design along the front or around the collar to transform the whole look of your shirt.
      
6. Create a Border
   1. Take a boring top and add a border along the bottom. You can stack different decorative stitches to create a layered effect. If your machine has a “mirror image” feature, use it to make patterns symmetrical.
7. Cover the Garment in Stitches
   1. Go all out! Cover an entire section of your garment—like the front or the sleeves—with different patterns and stitches for a bold, eye-catching look. Pair it with simple bottoms to balance the outfit.
      

Tips for Better Stitching:

1. Use the Right Stabilizer
   1. When using decorative stitches, stabilizers help keep the fabric in place. For delicate fabrics, a water-soluble stabilizer like Aqua Magic works well—it disappears when washed! For heavier fabrics, try Tear Away Light or Stitch n Ditch for easy removal without ruining your stitches.
2. Let the Garment Guide You
   1. Look at the shape of your garment to figure out where to add stitches. Necklines, sleeve hems, and borders are great places to start.
3. Use the Right Sewing Foot
   1. Certain sewing machine feet make stitching easier. For example, a Multiline Decorative Foot helps you stitch straight lines without marking the fabric, and an Open Toe Foot allows you to see your stitches better as you sew.
4. Experiment with Thread
   1. Different threads can give your stitches unique effects. Rayon thread is shiny and perfect for a polished look, while regular sewing thread gives a more casual vibe. Try using heavier threads for bolder stitches or variegated thread for fun color transitions.
5. Explore Your Machine’s Features
   1. If your sewing machine has features like mirror imaging, stitch width adjustment, or even stitch preview, use them! These tools can help you create perfect designs and save time by previewing how your stitches will look on the fabric.