From Boring to Compliments: How to Embellish a Top With Cute Pom-Poms

Tools and materials:

• Garment
• Pom-pom fringe
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Needle and thread
• Epoxy
• Thick cotton string
• Pen
• Toothpick or another tool to apply epoxy

1. Fix the fit

I bought this shirt at the thrift store and while it fit well, it was too long. Tuck the shirt in to determine the best fit. Mark the spot.

Then, cut off the excess.

For this shirt, I wanted to keep the side slits. Because I had cut off several inches, I measured the side slits to make sure they were even. I flipped the shirt to the wrong side. I double folded each side slit to hem.

Then, I double-hemmed the bottom of the shirt. Now on to the embellishment techniques!

2. Attach the pom-poms

Pom-poms usually come on a fabric strap or edging.

Measure 2 pieces of equal size to go around the armhole. These I placed on the inside of the armhole.

I trimmed the little extra white hanging bits for a cleaner look so all you could see is the pom-poms.

Pin the fringe on the wrong side. Check the placement so that all you see is the pom-poms. Adjust if necessary.

Sew into place.

It will look like this!

On the bottom hem, I placed the fringe trim directly on the outside of the shirt to add some more pizzaz.

3. Make and add the tassels

Identify the loop that holds the pom-pom in place.

The method that worked best for me was to place the pom-pom fringe on paper and tape it in place. Squeeze some epoxy glue. Use a toothpick or needle to pick up the glue.

Coat the top of the attachment of the pom-pom that has a loop in clear epoxy and let that harden completely. This is so that these ends will never, ever fray. 

Coat the edge of the thick cotton string with epoxy. 

Cut off the pom-pom so the loop is intact. Thread the string through the hole. Line up the loop inside the string and hand sew the edge of the string together, sandwiching the loop in between. 

Sew the string onto the right side of the shirt, hiding the evidence under the collar.

How to embellish a top with pom-poms

You’re done! I hope this tutorial on how to embellish a top and these embellishment techniques help you create your own gorgeous creations. Let me know what you think in the comments.