embellishment

1 elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail; "the mystery has been heightened by many embellishments in subsequent retellings" [syn: embroidery]

2 a superfluous ornament

3 the act of adding extraneous decorations to something [syn: ornamentation]

English

Pronunciation

• /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃmənt/, /Im"bElISm@nt/

Noun

1. An unnecessarily added touch, an ornamental addition, a flourish.

   1811 ''Reflection had given calmness to her judgment, and sobered her own opinion of Willoughby's deserts; -- she wished, therefore, to declare only the simple truth, and lay open such facts as were really due to his character, without any embellishment of tenderness to lead the fancy astray. Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility'', Section 3, Chapter 1.

An Embellishment is anything that enhances the appearance of something without having any functional purpose. A good example of this would be racing stripes (aka go-faster stripes) on a car.

In sewing and crafts, an embellishment is anything that adds design interest to the piece.

Common examples of embellishment in sewing and crafts

• appliqué
• embroidery, done either by machine or by hand
• piping made from either self-fabric, contrast fabric, or a simply a cord.
• lace, either pre-made or home-made
• fringe (sewing)
• beads
• batique
• pins as on a fishing hat or cowboy hat

Items that normally serve a function are also used as embellishment. For example

• buttons can be placed nowhere on the piece
• zippers can be unzipped and be used as piping, or simply stiched on
• buckles can be placed anywhere on the piece
• grommets can be placed anywhere even when there is no cord is looped through them
• sequins can be placed anywhere

See also

• Sewing
• Trim

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