Lesson 1.2
Second Feather: Tambour Curls and Beaded Accents
In this lesson, you will begin a second feather beside your completed design. Using a simplified outline, you will trace its curls with silver metallic thread and add small Czech beads at selected points. The changing stitch directions provide practice in guiding the hook around curves, while beaded sections emphasise the thicker parts of the illustration.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Simplify an illustrated pattern by transferring only its outer lines.
Follow curls with plain tambour stitches.
Change stitching direction smoothly around curves.
Add beads to curl tips and selected accents.
Use beadwork to emphasise thicker sections of a line.
Finish separate sections and secure thread ends on the reverse side.
Materials to Prepare
Embroidery frame with space beside your first feather
Printed second feather pattern
Pencil
Embroidery hook
Silver metallic embroidery thread
Mixed white and grey Czech beads, approximately 1.5 mm
Soft pad for holding your beads
Scissors
Your Practice
Transfer the second feather beside your first, copying only the outer lines and leaving out the illustration’s smaller decorative details.
Make a starting lock at the upper curl and attach the first bead. Continue along the curl with plain tambour stitches, following the demonstrated route and adding beads at the indicated tips. Finish each separate section with a lock before cutting the thread.
Work through the remaining curls, crossing an existing stitched line where shown. Use beads to build up the thicker sections of the design, then return to plain stitches as the line narrows.
Complete the curls towards the base of the feather. Draw the thread ends to the reverse side and secure them neatly.