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Sewing has been making a huge comeback, people who you would never think would take up sewing, have been taking lessons and been amazed at what they have achieved. Those amongst us who may not be the stock standard size or just want to be individual with their style.

If you sew your own clothes then why not make them "yours". By that I mean, a feature that says "you".

It could be top-stitching, covered buttons and loops, your fabric choice like beautiful silks or linens. Then there is the tone on tone embroidery.

You don't need an embroidery machine, most sewing machines today will have a selection of decorative stitches and if not they usually have the zig-zag, stretch or an overlocking stitch.

By reducing the stitch length and increasing the stitch width you will find you have some different stitches to work with.

Practice with different fabrics and when you find the stitches you like, make a note of the length and width you used, keep with the fabrics on a file for future reference.

Decorative stitches used as rows on fabric will make that fabric yours.

For the front of a blouse or shirt, measure the fabric you will need to cut out the front pattern, cut the whole piece, sew the rows of decorative stitching and then position the pattern and cut out the front.

You could do the same with a long sleeve, a few rows down the center of the sleeve and for the cuffs. White on white looks very chic. Remember, it's tone on tone that makes this technique work so well.

Always sew the rows of stitching on the piece of fabric before cutting the pattern out.

This idea looks great on linens, gabardine and finer fabrics. If you are using the finer fabrics then I suggest you use tissue paper underneath to support the fabric.

There you go, put "your stamp" on your clothes and wait for the compliments.