Embellishment

Beading or embroidery can be used to enhance a fabric, personalise a design or add pattern and texture... The creative possibilities are endless…

Beading

Beading can be used to add depth or sparkle to a garment and can be subtle or dramatic, depending on which beads are used. I will always do samples to show you the effects different kinds of beads will have on your fabric. Creamy coloured pearls on ivory silk, can make a wedding dress look antique, whereas sparkly diamonds and crystals will give a modern glitzy look. I either do Tambour beading, onto a piece of fabric on an embroidery frame before the garment is cut out or hand beading directly onto a garment.

Embroidery

Embroidery can be very subtle on a dress if it is in the same colour. However, in a contrasting colour it can be quite dramatic. The kind of thread used can make a difference to a fabric, whether a fine silk thread or a metallic shiny thread. A fine silk thread on a velvet pile fabric wouldn’t show up, whereas on a fine silk fabric it would look delicate and subtle. Also different stitches can be used to give texture or decorative pattern. The positioning of the embroidery on the garment is an important factor, whether the whole of a bodice is to be embroidered or just down the centre panel or around a neckline. The Bride and Groom’s initials embroidered onto a wedding dress train, can give a subtle, personal touch. I do hand and machine embroidery.