Lesson 15.1
Aari Lily Embroidery: Two-Colour Fish Scale Petals
In this lesson, you will embroider a lily using two colours of sequins and the Aari fish scale technique. You will practise adapting the filling to each petal’s triangular shape, using plain stitches to move between sections without cutting the thread. Colour changes will highlight the petal tips, while careful placement will preserve the lower borders for additional sequin work.
Materials to Prepare
Embroidery frame with your traced lily motifs
Lunéville hook
Embroidery thread
Loose sequins in two colours
Soft pads for holding the sequins
Scissors
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Outline and fill lily petals using the fish scale technique.
Alternate sequin colours to highlight pointed tips.
Adapt row placement and spacing to a triangular shape.
Use plain stitches to connect petals without cutting the thread.
Keep the filling within the lower border lines.
Apply the same sequence across all five petals.
Your Practice
Keep the front of the fabric facing you and prepare your two sequin colours. Make a starting lock at the point shown in the lesson, then begin outlining and filling the first petal.
Use plain stitches to follow its lower section and reach the next starting point. Continue with sequin rows, keeping the petal’s triangular shape in mind as you adjust the spacing. Change colours near the tip to emphasise its shape.
Once the first petal is complete, move to the second without cutting the thread. Keep all stitches within the lower border lines, leaving room for the sequins that will be placed there.
Continue with plain stitches to reach the remaining petals, then repeat the filling process for petals three, four, and five. Review the examples shown at the end of the lesson for ideas on varying sequin rows and colours.