Lesson 3.1
French Lunéville Beadwork: Thread Preparation and Sharp Corners
In this lesson, you will explore the basics of French Lunéville bead embroidery. You will learn how to transfer beads onto your working thread, supply them beneath the frame, and secure them one at a time. We will also practise short securing stitches at each corner to keep the figure clearly defined.
Materials to Prepare
Embroidery frame with your traced practice figures
Lunéville hook
Pre-threaded beads, purchased or prepared yourself
Embroidery thread on a bobbin
Scissors
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Transfer pre-threaded beads onto your working thread.
Position the threaded beads beneath the embroidery frame.
Secure the beginning with a starting lock.
Attach one bead at a time using controlled hook rotation.
Create sharp corners with short securing stitches.
Undo and correct a corner where the thread has stretched.
Secure the finishing thread end on the beaded side of the fabric.
Your Practice
Prepare your threaded beads by temporarily joining their thread to the working thread and sliding the beads across. Separate the thread ends once the beads have been transferred.
With the reverse side of the fabric facing you, place the threaded beads beneath the frame and make a starting lock. Hold a few beads between your fingers and supply one bead for each stitch, following the traced line.
At each corner, make a short securing stitch into the angle, followed by another in the opposite direction. Continue along the next side with beads. If a corner looks loose or rounded, undo that section and repeat the securing stitches.
When the figure is complete, draw out a large loop and cut it. Secure the thread end around the embroidered chain on the beaded side of the fabric.