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

9 Materials
$6
30 Minutes
Easy

If you’re wondering how to embellish a top, look no further! This is the tutorial for you! I adore pom-poms, tassels, trim - all sorts of embellishments.


In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I revamped this top I found at the thrift store. I loved the way it already had a trim and I wanted to spice things up a bit.


Pom-pom trim comes by the yard and with fringe edging. I did some hand embellishment techniques that you can easily do at home and make yourself a gorgeous embellished top with just a bit of fringe. Let’s get started!

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
Tucking in the shirt to adjust the fit

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.

Cutting off the excess fabric at the bottom

Then, cut off the excess.

Measuring side slits on the top

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.

Double-hemming the bottom of the shirt

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

Pom-pom trim for the embellishments

2. Attach the pom-poms

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

Cutting pom-pom trim for the armholes

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

Cutting the trim to make it cleaner

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.

Pinning and sewing the pom-pom fringe

Sew into place.

Embellishment techniques with pom-pom trim

It will look like this!

Placing the pom-pom trim on the bottom hem

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

Removing a pom-pom from the fringe

3. Make and add the tassels

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

Coating the edges with epoxy

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. 

Coating the cotton string with epoxy

Coat the edge of the thick cotton string with epoxy. 

Attaching the pom-pom to the string

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. 

Sewing the string onto the collar

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

How to embellish a top with pom-poms

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.

Suggested materials:
  • Garment
  • Pom-pom fringe
  • Scissors
See all materials

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