Punch Needle Wearable Accents
2 April 2010
Author: Becky Cates
You’ve created a lovely punch needle design…now what do you do with it? One possibility is to turn your punched projects into unique wearable accents! There are many small pattern designs, which work especially well for embellishing a garment.
Punch Needle Pins
Adding a punch needle project to a garment is simple to do. One easy way to attach your design is to add a pin back to the reverse side of the design. The project can then easily be transferred from one garment to another. A punched design can also be hand stitched to a garment OR punched directly into the garment itself. Denim makes an exceptionally good ground fabric for a punched needle design.
Adding Color
You might also try adding a pop of color to the area on your garment where you plan to add a punch needle design. Blocks or circles of fabric can be appliquéd to a garment to provide a colorful background. Adding a decorative background behind a punched piece helps to ground a small design and makes it feel more like it was designed with that particular garment in mind.
Ribbon Accents
Ribbon is another great method for accenting a small punch needle design. Ribbon pieces can be sewn directly to the fabric of a garment or to the back of a punched piece and then added to a garment as an easy way to make a smaller punched piece feel more substantial.
Beads and Bling
Small beads, sequins, or jewels can also be attached to a punched piece for a little added glitz! Anything that can be sewn on fabric can also be sewn on a punch needle piece!
Types of Garments
What types of garments work well with punch needle designs? Check out your local thrift store for:
- jumpers
- jackets
- hats
- bags
- vests, etc. that can be given new life and turned into lovely wearable art pieces.
Here is an example of one such piece. I found this small denim jumper
at our local children’s thrift store. Adding some colorful ribbon and
the lovely floral punch needle piece transformed the jumper from
ordinary to festive and fun! Now it’s your turn! Let your imagination run wild and see what you can create! Have fun as you turn your own punch needle projects into exciting wearable accents!