TAMBOUR BEADING

JANUARY 2025

 Our January speaker was Hannah Mansfield  www.theperpetualmaker.com  who talked to us about the art of Tambour Beading.

This form of bead embroidery probably originated in India in 17th century but it was the French who developed it into what we are familiar with today and who use it extensively in haute couture .

Tambour is done using a hook and beads or sequins working from the back of the fabric.  Suitable fabrics for this type of work are loose weaves and sheers which are then laid onto a solid back ground once the embroidery has been completed.  The work is done on a frame which allows two hands to be used for stitching and a slate frame is the most efficient way to work.  Regular sewing thread to match the beads is used directly from the reel using a chain stitch slightly longer than the bead with a small gap between each bead to ensure the work doesn’t pucker when removed from the frame.

Both beads and sequins can be used for Tambour work and they come pre-strung for ease of use.  The best ones are manufactured in The Czeck Republic and are more easily available in France than in the UK.  Hannah then described the different techniques used to apply beads and sequins to give textured effects and patterns and illustrated different forms of stitch with photographs of her beautiful intricate work.  She emphasised that simple designs show up best when stitched and she uses ‘Illustrator’, a vector based design programme to aid design.

The talk finished with a question and answer session and members were able to admire examples of work that were on display.

Hannah has written a book on Tambour beading which is available via her website.  ‘Tambour Beading techniques and projects’ by Hannah Mansfield. As well as her private work and commissions Hannah teaches for The King’s Foundation based at Highgrove and in association with the fashion house Chanel.

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Photos by Annie published with Hannah’s permission

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