Article Fashion

Fashion comes in a wide array of styles
but one accent that continues to be a favorite among designers is embroidery.

Embroidered designs are showing up on swimsuits
retro caftan tunics and even on sophisticated eveningwear.

If you like the look of high-end embroidery fashion but don't have thousands to spend on your wardrobe
today's advanced sewing machines make it easy for you to create an embroidered look with off-the-rack clothes - even if you're a beginning sewer.

There are three ways to add details to garments using a home sewing machine
according to Cynthia Scott
educational coordinator for the U.S. division of Janome
the world's largest manufacturer of sewing machines.

The most basic process is called applique
which is simply the process of applying one piece of material to another. Ribbons
lace
pre-embroidered patches or even designs cut out of fabric can be applied to other material by stitching around its edges. Most sewing machines have the ability to apply applique using any one of a number of simple stitches. The satin stitch
zigzag stitch and blanket stitch are all popular applique stitches that both secure your material and add a decorative finish.

Another easy embellishment technique is to use one of the decorative stitches built into most mid-range sewing machines. These stitches range from flowers and other simple designs to heirloom stitches that look like they were done by hand.

To copy the more sophisticated embellishments on fashion items
you need a sewing machine that does embroidery in a hoop. This kind of machine gives you the ability to add professional-looking embroidery
of virtually anything you can imagine
to your garment. You don't even have to know how to sew to use these machines. For instance
Janome's Memory Craft 300E only does embroidery. You simply import a design from a design card or the Internet
put your item in the hoop and press "Start."

For total control
Janome makes the Memory Craft 10001
which connects to your computer. You use Janome's powerful embroidery design software to create exactly what you want
then transfer the design to the MC10001 to add your own stylish signature to any item.