Decorative Techniques and Embellishment
This domain tests hand and machine embellishment: embroidery stitches, appliqué, patchwork, mirror work, beadwork, lace and traditional surface decoration. Questions ask you to choose a technique, place a motif and judge whether a decoration will survive washing.
Embroidery stitches
- Chain stitch makes outlines and fills.
- Stem stitch gives smooth curved lines.
- Satin stitch fills small shapes but needs even tension.
- Cross stitch suits counted grids.
- Blanket stitch edges appliqué.
- Lazy daisy makes petals; French knot makes centres.
Applied decoration
Appliqué stitches a shaped patch onto a base; patchwork joins small pieces into a new fabric. Mirror work needs a base stitch and interlacing to hold the mirror. Beads, sequins and zari must be anchored with a back stitch and should not be pulled tight or the fabric puckers. Check washability, colour fastness and heat sensitivity before fixing stones.
Design rules
Keep scale in proportion to the garment area, repeat motifs evenly, place heavy work where it does not rub, and balance the front with the sleeve or hem. Do not stitch through to the lining.
Worked example
A hem is 96 cm and the motif is 8 cm with a 2 cm gap, giving a 10 cm repeat. 96 divided by 10 gives 9 repeats with 6 cm left over. Reasoning: mark the centre front first, place one motif at centre, then space four motifs each side and adjust the gap to absorb the 6 cm. This keeps the design symmetrical.
Traps
Embellishing before construction so seams cut through the work; knots on the right side; over-decorating a small area; using hot-fix stones on heat-sensitive synthetics.
Key points
- Match the stitch to the purpose: chain and stem for lines, satin for small fills, blanket for appliqué edges.