What’s one of the simplest and easiest ways to customize a pattern to make the finished garment your own? Add a running stitch.
Your don’t need to alter a pattern radically to make the final product unique. Sometimes all you need to do is “shrub it up” a bit. (My sister is a landscape architect, and I learned that phrase from her. We use it all the time around here now. It means, basically,…. Well, you can figure out what it means.)
A running stitch is a simple embellishment detail. It’s easy and quick to do. Use embroidery floss to do it. The number of strands you use will determine how heavy the stitch looks. Your stitches can be either long or short, depending on the look you want to achieve. (You’ll want to use a smaller, short stitch for more a delicate look.) Experiment until you find the look you’re going for.
Running stitches are great for a hem, the top edge of a pocket, around a collar, at a yoke seam or neckline. Anywhere you add stitching will add a little emphasis in the final piece. It’s generally easiest to add a running stitch as early in the process as you can. For example, on the Ice Cream Dress you could stitch the pockets after assembling them and before attaching them to the dress.
If you’re not sure whether you want stitching or where you want it, you can also usually wait and add stitching as a last step, too, as I suspect the creator of this cute skirt did.
Where have you used a running stitch to highlight a style detail or customize a pattern? Or if you haven’t yet, has this given you any ideas where you might give it a try?