Decorative stitches, according to Liz Johnson, editor at http://www.Sew4Home.com, “are tiny pieces of thread art.” Although loved and adored by many, they are often forgotten and overlooked, due to the focus that we place on the seams of a project’s construction. Just a few decorative stitches add so much to any project. One may experiment with different colors and types of thread (i.e., polyester, variegated, rayon, metallic, neon), spacing of stitches and stitch widths, which will produce various textural effects. The possibilities of what to embellish with decorative stitches are endless. For example, aprons, matching bed sheets and pillowcases, pillows, purses/bags, bath and tea towels, appliqués, garments, wall hangings, heirloom sewing, basically anything! Whatever the project, decorative stitches will enhance their aesthetic value immensely.
Other creative ways to use these stitches are when quilting. One may utilize decorative stitches when stitching in the ditch or when sewing down bindings, to embellish ribbons or when sewing strips of fabric together (border stitch). Outline stitches are used for outlining your design. Detached stitches fill in open areas of designs and filling stitches can create shading or fill.
Decorative stitches add texture and will take one’s project from the ordinary to extraordinary. One is only limited by the scope of one’s imagination.
Sewingly Yours,
Salima
AAA SEWING & FABRIC 