If you’ve been doing some back to school clothes shopping, you know that embellishments are all the rage, from strategically ripped jeans to tops and bottoms enhanced with embroidery, lace, crystals and more.
The look is fabulous, but the price tag can be breath-taking. The hottest jeans can cost hundreds of dollars. Instead of figuring out how you can squeeze a pair of designer jeans or a trendy shirt into your budget, why not take matters into your own hands and create truly customized clothing that you make yourself?
“There are so many ways to embellish jeans and other clothing,” says Gayle Hillert, vice president, education and training for Bernina of America. You don’t even have to buy new clothes to embellish – the distressed look is in, and other embellishments can make any garment look fresh. After all, it’s the finishing touches that you’ll be adding that will give the clothes their personality, not the brand name.
A trip to your local craft or fabric store will get you started. Look at the various trims available and get creative – you can add interest around the hem and around the pockets. You can also find interesting appliqués, or buy some pretty lace and cut out motifs to stitch onto your clothes. Add some flash with Glitz crystals; they are easy to use and add that special touch.
Embroidery is another great way to add a special touch, whether it’s adding a monogram, stitching on an image (flower, kitten, heart), or simply going free form and “thread painting.” “There is a huge selection of embroidery thread on the market, including metallics that can really bring your designs to life,” says Hillert.
Bernina’s aurora 440E makes thread painting easy. It features the Bernina Stitch Regulator, with a sensor that “reads” the fabric. When the fabric moves, the foot sensor is activated and the stitches are regular and consistent. This allows the sewer to draw, “thread paint,” or just write their name across a piece of fabric with ease. This embroidery machine comes with Editor Lite software, which allows you to create and edit designs on your own PC screen.
Once you get going, you’ll find opportunities to embellish everywhere. Just about any item of clothing can be personalized with a few special touches. The backs of jackets, for example, give you a nice large area to work with. Or how about embellishing a simple purse and turning it into a fashion statement? The only limits are your imagination.
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For more information on sewing machines or for project ideas, visit www.berninausa.com. - ARA
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