Embellishment

For other uses, see Embellishment (disambiguation).

In sewing and crafts, an embellishment is anything that adds design interest to the piece.

1880s Russian court dress, embellished with silk fringe, velvet ruffles, and embroidery with glass crystals and silver sequins.

Sandra Escacena wearing a dress with floral embellishments.

Embellishments allow individuals to express their personal style and identity. Clothing can be a form of self-expression, and the choice of embellishments can communicate one's personality, taste, and cultural background.

Examples in sewing and craft

• appliqué can be made by sewing machine of decorative techniques and or
• embroidery, done either by machine or by hand
• piping made from either self-fabric, contrast fabric, or a simply a cord.
• trim (sewing)
• lace, either pre-made or home-made
• Fringe (trim)
• beads
• batik

Items that normally serve a function may also be used as embellishment. For example:

• buttons can be placed anywhere on the piece
• zippers can be unzipped and be used as piping, or simply stitched on
• buckles can be placed anywhere on the piece
• grommets can be placed anywhere even when there is no cord is looped through them
• sequins can be placed anywhere