Decorate your own denim!

Melinda Barta, the mastermind behind this awesome orchid pattern, is the author of "Hip to Stitch" (Interweave Press: 2005; www.hiptostitch.com and project editor of PieceWork magazine. She has a BFA in fiber arts and a minor in apparel design from Colorado State University! Here's what she has to say about the stich sitch...

Embellishing your clothing is fun, easy, and affordable and a great way to set you apart from the crowd. There is no need to run to the mall for those $100+ jeans when you can get the look with thread that costs around 25 cents a skein. When your friends ask where you got those awesome jeans you can proudly say you made them! If jeans aren't your thing, embellish your bag, coat, or sheets-anything you wish to personalize. Let's get started by downloading your FREE pattern!

All you need is a favorite pair of jeans (it's best if the material isn't really thick), skeins of embroidery floss (I used DMC Embroidery Floss, 100% cotton 6-strand thread that's available at every craft store) in the colors of your choice (I used 702 Kelly Green for the stems and 327 Dark Violet, 600 Very Dark Cranberry, 666 Bright Red, 946 Medium Burnt Orange, 3689 Light Mauve, 3348 Light Yellow Green, 3844 Dark Bright Turquoise and 3854 Medium Autumn Gold for the flower petals and centers), a size 3 embroidery needle, scissors, and 3 photocopies (or print outs) of the orchid patterns. If you have trouble finding a size label on the package of needles, just find a needle that is sharp and large enough to pull the thread through the material-you don't want the needle so big that it creates a huge hole in the fabric but if it's too small you will end up having to tug on the needle with each stitch.

When stitching, use all 6 strands of the embroidery floss. Simply thread the needle, knot one end of the thread, and bring the needle up from the back. When your thread is about to run out, just make a small stitch on the back of the fabric and before you pull the thread tight, pass the needle through the loop to make a knot. Keep your non-stitching hand inside the jeans, under the flower you are stitching to help guide the needle through the fabric.