January 6, 2013

Grace in Soutache and Bead Embroidery


The theme for this week in our Year of Jewelry is "Grace".  My interpretation of grace involves flowing lines and graceful curves and I tried to emulate that in this piece using a combination of bead embroidery and Soutache to surround a cameo.

This is my second attempt at using Soutache.  I am definitely still in the learning stages, but I felt more confident with this piece than my first one.  If you are not familiar with Soutache, it's a very small woven trim (about 1/8" wide) used to adorn draperies and clothing - particularly military uniforms.  

For this piece, I attached my cameo to a piece of backing and added a row of seed beads using bead embroidery.  I curved three layers of Soutache around that and added some beads at the corners and pulled the Soutache back around them.  I like the curves, but I'm not thrilled that my thread shows in the beads.  Note to self:  work on that.  In order to give the piece some length, I added a Swarovski teardrop shape at either end and more Soutache around those. 


I thought it still needed a little something, so I went back and added another row of seed beads along the long curves - this time on their sides along the Soutache.  I added a piece of suede to the back to cover all my stitching and the ends of the Soutache and then attached it to a barrette.


I'm getting the feel for Soutache.  It wants to be graceful and flowing - I just have to learn how to get it to go where I want it to without interrupting it's flow!





7 comments:

  1. I think it's beautiful! I would love to try using Soutache. Is there a book you'd recommend?

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    1. I don't have a book. I looked all over online and found this one to be the easiest for me: http://beejang.livejournal.com/227607.html Check back here tomorrow, too - I've written a "tips" post for using soutache. Some lessons I learned while learning LOL

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  2. Oooh - epitome of grace - I think you have succeeded in your goal, beautifully done.

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  3. Gorgeous! Saw that on FB and I loved it. Gotta try my hand in soutache in 2013.

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  4. Beautiful. I'm still trying to make up my mind if I want to try this or not ...

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    1. You should try it! It seems to be getting more popular - several online bead stores are carrying it now and I see Beadsmith even has a new line of soutache out in all kinds of fun colors!

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