Fancy Up Your Favorite Pattern: 10 Details to Add

Today, we're talking about adding pizazz to your favorite patterns. We'll cover 10 creative ways to customize patterns you already love, simple techniques that make a big impact, and how to make even basic garments feel uniquely yours.

10 Ways to Add Pizazz to Your Favorite Patterns

One of the most exciting parts of sewing is taking a pattern and making it your own. Sometimes we fall into the habit of following patterns exactly as written, but there's so much room for creativity once you start thinking about customization. Small changes can have a huge impact on the final look of a garment, and you don't need to do major pattern alterations to create something that feels completely new.

1. Add decorative topstitching on top of gathers. You can use rows of straight stitching or a fancy embroidery stitch on your machine to create a beautiful heirloom look without all the hand work. This would look pretty on the shoulders of gathered blouses or on the center front of smock dresses. The key is to gather first, then add your decorative stitching on top.

2. Create dramatic rows of pintucks. If you have a pintuck foot, you can use it to create several rows of tucks to add texture to a simple fabric. You can even add horizontal pintucks for a different effect. Think about adding them to the bodice of a simple dress or along the hem of a skirt. Check out our YouTube channel to see this technique in action.

3. Try frog closures. This is an easy way to fancy up any garment that closes up the front. You can buy them ready-made or make your own with bias tape. They instantly give any garment a more formal, vintage-inspired look and would be beautiful on vests or dresses with built-in modesty panels.

4. Add hand-stitched topstitching. This looks beautiful in a contrasting color, like white thread on navy fabric. The look of hand stitching rather than precise machine stitching creates a gorgeous effect. It takes more time, but it's such a meditative process, and the results are worth it. You could add it along lapels, pocket edges, or even hem lines.

5. Create ricrac hems. Sew large ricrac in a matching color to the hem of a dress or skirt for a beautiful scallop effect. It's like instant decorative trim that adds movement and visual interest. Choose ricrac that's proportional to your garment - bigger ricrac for longer hems, smaller for shorter pieces.

6. Add lace hems. Sew scalloped lace at the hem using a zigzag stitch around the curves, then cut away the fabric beneath. This looks especially beautiful with silk and creates an elegant way to finish a hem on flowing garments. It's perfect for pants or bias-cut skirts.

7. Try contrasting collars. For a dressed-down version, make a chore coat with a corduroy collar. For something dressier, try a blouse with a velvet collar. You could also experiment with different prints - like a floral collar on a solid shirt. It's such a simple change that completely transforms the look of the garment.

8. Make braided straps. If you're making something with spaghetti straps, swap them out for braided straps. Instead of making one tube per strap, make three narrow tubes and braid them together. It adds visual interest and feels more substantial than regular straps. You could even use different colors or textures for each strand of the braid.

9. Add an overlay. Instead of making something in a single layer, add a sheer layer on top. For example, you could make a skirt in a bold floral print, then add a layer of sheer silk on top to mute it a bit. Or use a sheer overlay to add subtle texture or color variation. It's like having two garments in one!

10. Don't forget about pockets. You can add pockets to almost anything! In-seam pockets are practical, but you can also add patch pockets or welt pockets if you want something more visible. Welt pockets instantly make any garment look more tailored, and we have workshops to help you learn this technique if you've never sewn them before.

Remember, sewing really is all about decisions. Each of these customizations is just another creative decision you can make to express your personal style. You don't have to stick exactly to the pattern - you can make choices that reflect who you are and what you love.

What's a pattern you've sewn multiple times, and how did you change it up each time? We'd love to hear about your favorite pattern customizations!