Want to glow up your wardrobe? Get embellishing!
Embellishing your clothes isn’t just eco-friendly; it’s the ultimate way to show off YOUR style! Like Kat, the heroine of The Swish, you can transform ordinary pieces into jaw-dropping originals with a few simple tricks
Embroider Motifs
Take your jeans, tees, or jackets to the next level with cute embroidery! Here’s how - Sketch your design lightly with chalk or light pencil. Try flowers, stars, or initials.
- Thread a needle with embroidery floss, knot the end, and start stitching. Use simple stitches like running or backstitch to outline your design. Black can give a bold edge, or use a strong contrast colour.
Swish tip: Add pops of colour for a striking finish – fill in your design with big stitches. They don’t have to be super neat, but try to keep them all pointing the same way. No swisher way to make your design dynamic!
Swish tip: Sketch your design on a
piece of baking paper. Pin paper to your clothes, then sew along the lines. Carefully tear the paper away, bit by bit, to reveal your beautifully stitched design. Fill in with coloured thread to make your motif POP!
Dazzle with Metallic Pens
Create bold designs with 3D metallic silver and gold pens.
- Practice your design on paper first. Create swirling patterns or adorn your initials. Or go for a shining star – just like you!
- Lay your clothing item flat and draw directly onto the fabric.
- Let it dry completely (check the pen instructions). Boom! Insta-glam.
- Swish tip: choose fabrics with dark colours or rich shades to make your gold/silver pop. Thicker/ stiffer fabric is easier – draw on denim, and there’s no looking back!
Button It Up
Turn plain outfits into statement pieces with cool button designs.
Swish tip: Never cut up a shirt for scraps without saving the buttons – and next time you’re at a car boot sale or vintage market, keep an eye out for the decorative darlings! They come in all shapes and sizes, and once you develop your ‘button vision’ you’ll see all sorts of wonderful ways you can use them!
We love this button embellishment made by a festive Swish Squadder.
Swish tip: cut out/ stitch on a felt template, then fill in your shape with assorted sizes/colours of buttons. ‘Write’ your initials, or create a star, rainbow or button heart.
Want to glow up your wardrobe? Get embellishing!
Embellishing your clothes isn’t just eco-friendly; it’s the ultimate way to show off YOUR style! Like Kat, the heroine of The Swish, you can transform ordinary pieces into jaw-dropping originals with a few simple tricks.
Embroider Motifs
Take your jeans, tees, or jackets to the next level with cute embroidery! Here’s how -
Sketch your design lightly with chalk or light pencil. Try flowers, stars, or initials.
- Thread a needle with embroidery floss, knot the end, and start stitching. Use simple stitches like running or backstitch to outline your design. Black can give a bold edge, or use a strong contrast colour.
Swish tip: Add pops of color for a striking finish – fill in your design with big stitches. They don’t have to be super neat, but try to keep them all pointing the same way. No swisher way to make your design dynamic!
Swish tip: Sketch your design on a piece of baking paper. Pin paper to your clothes, then sew along the lines. Carefully tear the paper away, bit by bit, to reveal your beautifully stitched design. Fill in with coloured thread to make your motif POP!
Dazzle with Metallic Pens
Create bold designs with 3D metallic silver and gold pens.
- Practice your design on paper first. Create swirling patterns or adorn your initials. Or go for a shining star – just like you!
- Lay your clothing item flat and draw directly onto the fabric.
- Let it dry completely (check the pen instructions). Boom! Insta-glam.
- Swish tip: choose fabrics with dark colours or rich shades to make your gold/silver pop. Thicker/ stiffer fabric is easier – draw on denim, and there’s no looking back!
Button It Up
Turn plain outfits into statement pieces with cool button designs.
Swish tip: Never cut up a shirt for scraps without saving the buttons – and next time you’re at a car boot sale or vintage market, keep an eye out for the decorative darlings! They come in all shapes and sizes, and once you develop your ‘button vision’ you’ll see all sorts of wonderful ways you can use them!
We love this button embellishment made by a festive Swish Squadder.
Swish tip: cut out/ stitch on a felt template, then fill in your shape with assorted sizes/colours of buttons. ‘Write’ your initials, or create a star, rainbow or button heart.
"The Swish is properly interesting. A teen novel about creativity, confidence and upcycling clothes. About time!" Dawn French
" Great book – a lovely read for teens"
LORRAINE CANDY, SUNDAY TIMES bestseller and parenting expert
" Tash’s book is very timely - its upbeat, practical message will go a long way to inspiring young people"
EMMA SCOTT, ORGANISER OF RETHINK FASHION DORSET
" Such a great read! Witty and warm, with a brilliant message - my tween loved this book. I'm now hoping it will help wean her off Primark!"
" Lovely story. My daughter was so inspired to thrift and upcycle she's started sewing away, creating beautiful outfits."
"‘Geek Girl’ meets the ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’! Ideal book to get your teenagers off their phones/screens & inspired about sustainable fashion."
" A gripping, funny story about the importance of friends and family, and being resilient."
"The Swish is properly interesting. A teen novel about creativity, confidence and upcycling clothes. About time!" Dawn French
" Great book – a lovely read for teens"
LORRAINE CANDY, SUNDAY TIMES bestseller and parenting expert
" Tash’s book is very timely - its upbeat, practical message will go a long way to inspiring young people"
EMMA SCOTT, ORGANISER OF RETHINK FASHION DORSET
" Such a great read! Witty and warm, with a brilliant message - my tween loved this book. I'm now hoping it will help wean her off Primark"
" Lovely story. My daughter was so inspired to thrift and upcycle she has started sewing away, creating beautiful outfits."
" A super fun read - ‘Geek Girl’ meets the ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’! Ideal book to get your teenagers off their phones/screens & inspired about sustainable fashion."
" A gripping, funny story about the importance of friends and family, and being resilient. Great read!"
LISTEN HERE
"The Swish is properly interesting. A teen novel about creativity, confidence and upcycling clothes. About time!"
Dawn French
" Great book – a lovely read for teens"
LORRAINE CANDY, SUNDAY TIMES bestseller and parenting expert
" Tash’s book is very timely - its upbeat, practical message will go a long way to inspiring young people
"
EMMA SCOTT, ORGANISER OF RETHINK FASHION DORSET
" Such a great read! Witty and warm, with a brilliant message - my tween loved this book. I'm now hoping it will help wean her off Primark!"
" Lovely story. My daughter was so inspired to thrift and upcycle she's started sewing away, creating beautiful outfits."
"‘Geek Girl’ meets the ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’! Ideal book to get your teenagers off their phones/screens & inspired about sustainable fashion."
" A gripping, funny story about the importance of friends and family, and being resilient."
