Adding reflective details to your clothes

The autumn dark is settling in, and it's time to dig out the reflectors again. Are you the type who isn't too keen on wearing reflectors? Here are a few tips that might help 😊

My favourite is reflective sheets you can cut your own shapes from. They come both as self-adhesive (great for synthetic fabrics, like an outdoor jacket) and as iron-on. In my experience they stay on best when ironed on. I've cut out dots and leopard-print 'blobs' and put them on jackets and hats. You can see how below ✨

Here's a hat made from the Harald pattern, made last winter, and here's my old puffer jacket after it got self-adhesive reflectors a few years ago.

Another recommendation is reflective piping, which can be inserted between panel seams when you sew an outer garment. I haven't tested it myself yet, but I've seen it on finished garments and know it's a discreet, pretty way to add reflection without it being too much. For example, it works around the edge and at the waist of the Ingvild coat. Sewn with a collar, it makes an extra-nice detail along the outer edge.

If you want something quick, you can also buy ordinary reflective ribbon, tie a pretty bow and attach it with a safety pin, or tie it to a zipper pull. This works well on shoes too — together with, or instead of, your laces.

I hope you'll try some of these ideas, and do share other tips with me at @melilotpatterns on Instagram or Facebook.

The most important thing is that you use reflectors in the dark.

Add reflectors to the Harald hat:

💕 from Mari and the Melilot crew