Lesson 5
Feather Embroidery: Crystal Chain and Decorative Finishing
In this final lesson, you will embellish the remaining feather sections with decorative pieces, crystal chain and pearls. You will explore placement before stitching, secure accessories with zigzag stitches and fill the surrounding gaps. The completed feather offers inspiration for decorating a belt or the shoulder of a dress.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Test decorative arrangements before attaching accessories.
Secure decorative pieces and crystal chain with zigzag stitches.
Practise unfamiliar attachments in a spare area of the frame.
Fill gaps around embellishments with pearls and beads.
Substitute beads or sequins to suit the materials available.
Create a gradual size transition from small beads to larger pearls.
Materials to Prepare
Embroidery frame with your feather design in progress
Embroidery hook and thread
Decorative accessories of your choice
Crystal chain
Pearls and beads in various sizes
Sequins as an optional alternative
Soft pads for holding your materials
Suitable cutters for the crystal chain
Scissors
Your Practice
Try different decorative pieces within the remaining feather sections, moving them until you find a suitable position. Practise attaching an accessory in a spare area of your frame, then make a starting lock and secure your chosen piece with zigzag stitches.
Use plain travelling stitches to reach the next area and fill the surrounding spaces with beads and pearls. If you do not have suitable decorative pieces, continue with beads or sequins instead.
On the other side of the feather, position the crystal chain and secure it with zigzag stitches. Trim the excess chain and continue filling the section with pearls.
Complete the final two sections, beginning with smaller beads and gradually increasing the pearl diameter. Check the balance of the finished feather and secure the remaining threads.