“ ee Crafty Ideas...Sew-aC(NAPSA)—These days, dress- ing yourself, your family and your home in thelatest styles or the most creative designs can be easier, less expensive and moreenjoy- able than many people realize— when you sew or embellish it up yourself. That's because sewing and embroidering can be such rewarding andcost-efficient ways to cre- ate personalizedgifts and improve your wardrobe. For example, you can monogram initials onto virtu- ally anything from apparel to accessories to home decor items. Traditionally handcrafts, sewing and embroidery have greatly evolved with technological advancements and the develop- ment of computerized sewing and embroidery machines. These can help even beginners achieve professional-looking results and create customized designs. Such do-it-yourself projects can be a popular mother-daughter activity, especially among groups eager to pass down traditional styles and ideas. For example, stitching—or sewing—is a tradition that weavesitself deeply into the fabric of Latin-American culture. “It is their own kingdom,” said Denis Heyck, professor of Spanish at Loyola University Chicago. “This tradition is a way for women to have their own spaceto talk about the things they want to talk about.” ‘Another reason DIY sewing and embroidery projects are so stylish these days may be the popularreal- ity TV shows that feature creating couture, such as “Launch My Line” and Lifetime's “Project Runway.” IT'LL HAVE YOU IN STITCHES: Sewing and embroidering clothes and home decor accessories is not only a practical and economical way to express your creativity, it’s a lot of fun, too. To meet the need, some manufacturers, such as Brother Inter- national Corporation, the Exclusive Sewing and Embroidery Licensee of “Project Runway,” offer budget-friendly, beginner- friendly versions of the industrial sewing machines used on the TV show. These “Project Runway” Lim- ited Edition sewing and embroi- dery machinesare available online and at major stores. Thecollection includes a variety of machines for various skill levels and budgets with different embroidery fea- tures, design potential, personalization and new ways to create embellishments. The more advanced machines with added capabilities are at authorized Brother Innov-is Deal- ers. A list of dealers, sewing advice and more information can be found byvisiting the home sewing pages of www.brotherusa.com/homesewing.
