MJMode JournalSmall details. Thoughtful design.

Design notebooks

Print, Embroidery and Construction

Distinguish surface decoration from the textile beneath it.

Independent accessories journal ยท October 7, 2026

A fictional arrangement of a cream bag, berry and sage scarf and geometric gold-coloured jewellery.

Look a little closer

A printed motif, embroidered detail and woven pattern may all contribute visual interest, but they are not interchangeable techniques. An object record may identify how a particular surface was created. A photograph alone may leave that question unresolved.

A note for your design book

Choose documented examples and write separate notes for the base textile and the decoration. Link each description to its record. In an original sketch, state which technique you intend to explore without presenting the drawing as a completed sample. This approach keeps an appealing motif connected to the making process and helps avoid using a technique name merely as a decorative adjective.

Sources and further reading