I love embroidery for many reasons, but one of my favorites? It can bring things back to life.
Recently, I rescued two pieces of clothing from being forgotten at the bottom of a drawer. They weren’t just any clothes, they were family favorites. A North Face down jacket that belonged to my husband, and a pair of ski pants that my daughter used to love.
The jacket had a small but very noticeable burn mark on the front, left by a cigarette. My husband had stopped wearing it completely. It just sat there, collecting dust, even though it was warm and in great condition otherwise.
One day, I had an idea. I know he’s a huge fan of the Chicago Bulls, so I decided to surprise him by embroidering the Bulls logo right over the burn. It turned out amazing. Not only did it cover the damaged area perfectly, but it gave the jacket a bold, personalized twist. When he saw it, he couldn’t believe it. He was so happy—and now, every time we travel to a cold place, he takes that jacket proudly. It became his favorite all over again.
The second piece was my daughter’s ski pants. The fabric near her ankle had torn, and we were about to toss them. But then I thought, what if I embroidered something she loves right over it? We have two pugs at home that we adore, so I stitched a tiny pug patch onto the tear. Her face lit up when she saw it. Now, not only does she wear them again, but she shows them off like a fashion statement!
Two simple embroidery designs. Two saved garments. And lots of love stitched in.
These little transformations are part of what I love most about my work. Embroidery isn’t just decorative, it can be functional, emotional, and full of personality. It turns flaws into features and gives forgotten clothes a second chance.
So next time you find a rip, a stain, or a burn, don’t toss it. Let’s stitch a new story instead. 💫