Soutache is a modern and unique technique for needlework. It is used to create amazing jewelry! Accessories made from soutache will certainly not go unnoticed, they are so impressive and original. Stones and shimmering crystals woven into silk strands will create an incredibly attractive and fashionable look!
Jewelry made from soutache is so beautiful that this type of needlework looks like painstaking and jewelry work. This is truly a self-sufficient form of contemporary art.
Try to master it! Weaving is carried out thanks to a single-color obedient thread, which secures the cords into the desired pattern. Every woman will love this fashionable hobby!
Soutache technique on the pages of history
Since ancient times, people have decorated themselves and their surroundings through clothing, jewelry, works of architecture and art, and interior design. This reflected status, taste, dignity.
Let us turn to the history of the soutache decoration technique, which originated in Europe in the fourteenth century during the first period of the Renaissance. The new technique decorated the dresses of beautiful French women with patterns, and later it made it possible to create independent jewelry. Such fine art attracted the attention of other European fashionistas. Thus, Dutch craftswomen developed it into a technique similar to Russian ribbon weaving. Over the course of six centuries, the soutache technique has definitely developed into an independent art direction.
Soutache jewelry was brought to Russia by Peter the Great during his famous “Great Embassy.” He was delighted by the beauty of the patterns on women's clothing. Products made from soutache immediately became widespread not only in women's, but also in men's dress.
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the technique was used primarily in the decoration of theatrical costumes, and thirty years ago it was revived by Michal Negrin in the production of jewelry. The Dori Chengeri Jewelry House presented its customers with a new vector in jewelry production - jewelry soutache.
How to decorate clothes
Modern fashionistas decorate their clothes not only with various decorations, but also with completely original accessories made using soutache. Bright belts and belts, overlaid patterns with convex patterns, beaded embroidery - all this emphasizes the sophistication and originality of the clothing. But soutache drawing occupies a special place.
Cord embroidery on a dress
The principle of operation is quite simple; it consists of carefully laying out a special cord along the lines of the diagram and securing it. The most important thing that is required to create an original pattern is a little imagination and patience. There are no restrictions in the choice of style, color and pattern; everything depends on the desire of a particular performer.
Watch a short video with examples of soutache embroidery.
DIY soutache jewelry is a modern jewelry hobby
Today is the era of the Renaissance of Soutache jewelry. It's fashionable and popular. And this is not surprising, because the technique is unique and elegant. It is used by leading fashion and jewelry houses. The products are not repeated; with their help, every woman can create an individual, light, stylish look. They are equally organic and appropriate in evening and everyday looks.
Author's products have a high price. It is possible to become the owner of such luxury if you learn how to create jewelry with your own hands. Handicrafts using the soutache technique will embody your ideas in creating something beautiful; your work will be filled with the warmth of your hands and bright, fantasy colors.
Try it!
The minimum sewing skills that every woman possesses from birth, time and patience are perhaps all that is needed for high fashion needlework.
Features and techniques of weaving
To create products in the soutache style, there are various weaving techniques . Each of them has its own characteristics. It doesn’t matter whether you are making a bracelet or an earring, you must first master each technique.
Any cord has a tendency to unravel. To prevent its braiding from falling apart, the ends must be treated with PVA glue or burned .
- Sewing beads. It is not difficult to trim a bead with soutache cords. Several cords are sewn together. They wrap the bead around it and give the soutache the desired shape. Then the bead is taken out and the cords are stitched in this position - first in a circle, and then sewing the ends together.
- Beaded track - this is a row of beads of the same size and color that are located between layers of cord. The needle is brought out at the beginning of the track, which is located at a distance of half a bead from the bend of the cord. Afterwards, beads are threaded onto the needle, and the needle is passed through the top layer of the cord. Then, retreating a little, they return the game back, re-stitching the bead. The same is done with subsequent beads.
- Volume curl. You will need 2 or 3 cords, the length of which is 3 cm longer than necessary. The ends of the cords are fixed on the wrong side of the item being made, for which the cords are initially stitched together, and then sewn to the base in such a way that the stitches on the front side are not visible. Next, a curl is made in the place where it is required. Then its base is sewn to the edge of the thing. Stitching is carried out in a horizontal direction. The ends of the cords are attached to the wrong side of the curl.
- Soutache disc. Formed around beads or as an independent decorative element. The end of the soutache cord is folded in half and they begin to wind the cord around it, at the same time stitching. When the diameter of the disk reaches the desired size, the cord is folded inside out and secured.
Soutache decoration requires correct design of the reverse side . For it you need to take leather, artificial or natural, or thick fabric, felt. If you don't use it, the inside of the item will look ugly. The completely finished product is placed on fabric or leather and traced along the contour. Afterwards, the material is cut out and glued to the back of the jewelry using Moment Crystal glue. If desired, you can sew the fabric on the wrong side along the contour, without glue.
If soutache earrings are made, earrings . To secure them, you will need long-nose pliers. With them, the earring ring is moved slightly to the sides and pulled through the top layer of soutache. The ring is then clamped.
Soutache embroidery allows you to create beautiful and unusual jewelry and various accessories. Thanks to the emergence of a wide variety of materials, this ancient technique has once again become in demand and popular.
Features of weaving jewelry
As you begin the exciting process of creating the jewelry of your dreams, prepare everything you need. In your work you will use:
- Monofilament
- Soutache cords of different colors (the choice of colors is wide and available in craft stores)
Now create a sketch of the decoration. A schematic image of the pattern is enough. Don't worry, you don't need any artistic skills for this.
Start sewing from the middle. You will need several folds of soutache cord (usually two or three are enough). Select a cabochon or bead that will become the center of the composition and cover it with the prepared cord. It is important to secure the central element between the cords. Next, add the remaining elements of the product, sew on beads and beads according to the sketch. You will see that the cord magically weaves a pattern on its own.
Pay special attention to the reverse side. It ensures not only the aesthetics of the product, but also its strength and shape. Here you will need a prepared piece of leather, attach it to the workpiece, trace the outline of the decoration and make a cut. Now sew the leather along the outermost row of the decoration, using monofilament thread.
Tools and necessary materials for embroidery
To create a product using the soutache embroidery technique, you need a number of tools :
- thin long needle;
- thin pins;
- water-soluble or light-disappearing marker;
- tool for finishing the ends of soutache cords.
From materials For embroidery you will need:
- monofilament transparent;
- strokes for fastening the fabric;
- beads;
- beads;
- soutache cords.
Favorite hobby as a source of income
When you learn how to make soutache jewelry with your own hands, you will certainly feel that needlework will not let you go. With every piece of art you create, you will improve your skills. The women around you will certainly be delighted; they will want to become owners of unique soutache products. One day you will think that a hobby can be a good source of income.
Happy owners of accessories made by you among relatives, friends and colleagues will be the best advertising at first. For further promotion, we recommend using the Internet. Create a website or commercial accounts on social networks, present your work at exhibitions and fairs, communicate in communities of like-minded people. These are not only platforms for promotion, they are also a great place for communication, sharing experiences and secrets of mastery.
Moreover, you will have the opportunity to communicate live with future clients and receive wishes for the execution of orders first-hand.
Trust and communication with the master, high quality and aesthetics of work, attention to the client’s wishes will be the key to your success!
In conclusion, it is worth noting that handicraft using the soutache technique is an unusual, unique skill, a separate type of modern art and even jewelry production. Once you master it, you will become an exclusive master. Your creativity will be truly unique!
How to make soutache jewelry
Making soutache jewelry requires dedication, patience and precision. The second and most important process – the manufacturing process – will be described in more detail below. It includes the following items:
- Glue the ends of the cord so that it does not diverge;
- While the glue dries, glue stones, beads, etc. to thick fabric;
- When the stones or cabochons are firmly stuck to the surface, the fabric is cut, leaving a couple of millimeters;
- Sew soutache cord to this fabric. It is advisable to do this in the middle so that the seams are not visible;
- When the center is ready, decorations in the form of rhinestones and beads are added to the sides;
- The ends of the ribbon are trimmed and glued to the back of the decoration.
Important! It is necessary to carefully mask the back side of the product and the cords glued to it. To make products made from soutache more beautiful, you can place thick paper or cardboard under the fabric.
Soutache decoration scheme
What is required to create a soutache bracelet
To make a soutache bracelet you will need:
- Soutache ribbons of different colors;
- Beads or seed beads with a diameter of 3 to 5 mm;
- Monofilament of different colors;
- Clips and fasteners for fastenings;
- Thick fabric or leather.
After preparing all the materials, you can begin to work in the usual way, as described above.
Bracelet
How to make your own necklace
The necklace is created in a slightly different way, as it is more complex in execution. The process of its manufacture should be examined in detail:
- Glue a round stone to thick fabric;
- Cover it with beads or beads;
- Using soutache, wrap it around the stone and sew the edges to the fabric;
- Using silver soutache, pearls or beads can be added between the two cords;
- You should also add a bead wrapped in cord on top;
- In this way, sew half of the row with these beads;
- Cover them with soutache and connect the ends, sewing to the previous row;
- Bend the ends and make another row with a different type of beads;
- At the end of the row, add a large bead and go around it with the rest of the cord;
- Cut off excess material and singe its ends;
- To form a ribbon, you need to secure a large bead and add new beads with a snake.
You might be interested in this Instructions for making a passe-partout for hand embroidery
Necklace
Important! Using the same principle, you can make a second symmetrical part. If the length after trying on is satisfactory, then a clasp is added and the necklace is ready.
The clasp can be made in a simple way:
- A loop is made on one side, and a large bead on the other;
- A piece of dense material, such as leather, is cut out and attached to the back of the central part.
The picture below shows a decoration made using this principle.
Soutache jewelry on fashionistas
