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One of the things that makes a sewing pattern so fun is the alterations that you can make to the details. This might include lengthening or shortening the sleeves of a shirt, changing the color of the fabric, adding embroidered details, buttons, and so much more. These small changes allow you to get more bang for your buck and you can sew a design you love again and again.
Well, the same is true for a hand embroidery pattern too! Instead of treating an embroidery pattern that you buy as “once and done”, there are multiple ways you can embroider a design you love to make it into something new and different. Below are six ideas for how you can alter and reuse an embroidery pattern so you get even more stitching enjoyment out of it!
Change the color palette.
Stitching an embroidery pattern that you love in a different color palette can completely change the feel of the design. It gives you the opportunity to totally customize the pattern, particularly if you stitch the design as a gift. Or you can personalize it to fit your own decor and taste.
One way to alter the color palette is by slightly shifting the suggested thread colors. For example, if a design uses bright hues and you prefer something more muted, visit a craft store to pick out different colors in the same family. You can also change to a completely different color palette if you’d like. The below example shows the difference between this Home Sweet Home pattern in pastels versus earthy tones.
A tool that can be helpful for creating your own color palette is the DMC threaded color card. Use it to get ideas for what thread colors might pair well before purchasing your thread.
In addition to changing your thread colors, you can also change your fabric color. In the below example of this queen anne’s lace pattern, the design works on several different fabric colors, from blue denim to a brown cotton. Choose your fabric and then shift the thread colors as needed so that they work on a different background color.
Change the stitches.
Another great way to refresh an embroidery project is by trying different stitches. At times you may not want to deviate from the suggested stitches on a project, but a project with a handful of basic stitches may lend itself wonderfully to some experimentation. In an embroidery design where there primarily are stitches outlining shapes, see where you can add some fill stitches. Familiar patterns are also a great place to stretch your creativity and try some new stitches.
Mix the media.
Adding elements other than thread to your project is a fun way to completely change the look of an embroidery design. Instead of using fill stitches on an embroidered piece, try filling in shapes with crayon, or play with adding paint to your background. You can even add embellishments like sequins or beads to your embroidery in place of fill stitches. In the example below, I added crayon to color the sheep which I pulled from this sheep embroidery pattern.
Try adding crayons or paint to a simple pattern to refresh your stitching.
Turn it into felt appliqué.
Are you a fan of felt appliqué? Experiment with adding appliquéd elements to a favorite embroidery pattern. Trace the shapes in your embroidery pattern onto freezer paper and use it to cut out your felt pieces. Then appliqué the felt onto your background and stitch the pattern around and over them. Not only is adding felt appliqué a fun way to add a solid pop of color, but it adds some great dimension to your patterns as well. Check out the below summer cabin embroidery pattern where a bit of felt appliqué is used to represent grass.
Use felt appliqué to replace elements in your pattern instead of stitching them.
Cut up the pattern.
Another fun way to reuse one of your existing embroidery patterns is by cutting it up and rearranging the elements, or using them as individual motifs. In the below example, one of my customers cut up the flowers from this sunflower sampler embroidery pattern that she purchased. Then she stitched them individually onto the pockets of an apron and tea towel that she sewed.
To do something similar, first either print out a few copies of the pattern you want to use, or use some plain copy paper to trace the elements from the pattern that you’d like to use for a new project. Next, cut out your shapes, leaving a border around them rather than cutting on the outline. You can then play with arranging them in different ways and taping them to a new piece of paper, or trace them separately onto fabric for a new project.
I used the sheep from this embroidery pattern to create a new project design.
Think outside the hoop.
Lastly, if you want to restitch a pattern, choose a format that’s different from whatever you tried last time. If you displayed your original project in a hoop, next time try stitching it on an item of clothing, including it in a quilt, or on a tote bag. Incorporate some of the other ideas in this article to further alter the look.
In the below example, I stitched this Sew Happy embroidery pattern in an 8-inch embroidery hoop in one color palette, and also on a drawstring project bag in a totally different set of colors. I also plan to use the elements in this pattern to decorate a sewing machine cover in a future project!
Version 1 of the Sew Happy pattern (above) stitched in pastel colors in an 8-inch hoop.
Version 2 of the Sew Happy pattern (above) stitched in primary colors on a drawstring bag.
Try a combination of these small modifications for a wonderful way to personalize your embroidery and make them one-of-a-kind. Making these alterations is a great way to customize projects for gift-giving, and it extends the life of your patterns so you can enjoy them again and again!