How to Add Decorative Embroidery to Your Handmade Clothes

clothing. From delicate floral stitches to bold statement motifs, adding embroidery to your handmade garments transforms them from simple pieces into works of art. Whether you’re sewing Shalwar Kameez, Abayas, or modern dresses, embroidery is the perfect finishing touch to make your outfits unique.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to add decorative embroidery to your handmade clothes with ease.

Step 1: Choose Your Design

Start by deciding what kind of embroidery you’d like to add. Do you want small, delicate accents on a neckline or sleeve? Or a bold motif across the hem of a kameez? For beginners, simple floral or geometric designs are a great starting point.

Step 2: Prepare Your Fabric

Always mark your embroidery design onto your fabric before sewing. You can use chalk, washable markers, or transfer paper. If your fabric is lightweight, add a stabilizer or stitch and tear underneath so your embroidery stitches don’t pucker or distort.

Step 3: Select Your Threads and Needles

Choose embroidery threads that complement your garment. Silk threads give a rich, luxurious finish, while cotton threads are versatile and easy to work with. Pair them with the right size embroidery needle for smooth stitching.

Step 4: Start with Basic Stitches

Some beginner-friendly embroidery stitches include:

Running stitch – perfect for outlines.
Chain stitch – great for borders or curved designs.
Satin stitch – ideal for filling in shapes.
French knots – add texture and dimension.

These stitches are easy to learn and can make a big impact on your garment.

Step 5: Combine Embroidery with Your Sewing Projects

You can add embroidery before or after constructing your garment. For example:

Embroider a neckline before attaching the facings.
Add motifs to sleeves before sewing them into the kameez.
Finish an abaya hem with embroidery for a unique designer look.

If you’d love to go beyond basic stitching and really master how to create beautiful, professional-looking traditional garments like Shalwar Kameez and abayas, my online courses will guide you every step of the way.