| comes in a wide array of styles, but one accent that | | | | stitches that both secure your material and add a |
| continues to be a favorite among designers is | | | | decorative finish. |
| embroidery. | | | | Another easy embellishment technique is to use one |
| Embroidered designs are showing up on swimsuits, | | | | of the decorative stitches built into most mid-range |
| retro caftan tunics and even on sophisticated | | | | sewing machines. These stitches range from flowers |
| eveningwear. | | | | and other simple designs to heirloom stitches that look |
| If you like the look of high-end embroidery fashion but | | | | like they were done by hand. |
| don't have thousands to spend on your wardrobe, | | | | To copy the more sophisticated embellishments on |
| today's advanced sewing machines make it easy for | | | | fashion items, you need a sewing machine that does |
| you to create an embroidered look with off-the-rack | | | | embroidery in a hoop. This kind of machine gives you |
| clothes - even if you're a beginning sewer. | | | | the ability to add professional-looking embroidery, of |
| There are three ways to add details to garments | | | | virtually anything you can imagine, to your garment. |
| using a home sewing machine, according to Cynthia | | | | You don't even have to know how to sew to use |
| Scott, educational coordinator for the U.S. division of | | | | these machines. For instance, Janome's Memory Craft |
| Janome, the world's largest manufacturer of sewing | | | | 300E only does embroidery. You simply import a |
| machines. | | | | design from a design card or the Internet, put your item |
| The most basic process is called applique, which is | | | | in the hoop and press "Start." |
| simply the process of applying one piece of material to | | | | For total control, Janome makes the Memory Craft |
| another. Ribbons, lace, pre-embroidered patches or | | | | 10001, which connects to your computer. You use |
| even designs cut out of fabric can be applied to other | | | | Janome's powerful embroidery design software to |
| material by stitching around its edges. Most sewing | | | | create exactly what you want, then transfer the |
| machines have the ability to apply applique using any | | | | design to the MC10001 to add your own stylish |
| one of a number of simple stitches. The satin stitch, | | | | signature to any item. |
| zigzag stitch and blanket stitch are all popular applique | | | | |