Lesson 4.2
Indian Aari Sequin Embroidery: Two-Colour Looped Curves
In this lesson, you will embroider a looped curve with two colours of sequins using the Indian Aari technique. Working from the front of the fabric, you will pick up each sequin with the hook, slide it onto the working loop, and secure it with a stitch. You will also learn how to continue through a crossing point by passing the hook through the hole of an existing sequin.
Materials to Prepare
Embroidery frame with mounted fabric
Lunéville hook
Embroidery thread
Loose sequins in two colours
Soft pads or shallow dishes for holding the sequins
Pencil suitable for marking your fabric
Scissors
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Draw a curved guideline with one or two loops.
Attach individual sequins using the Aari technique.
Slide each sequin onto the working loop and secure it with a stitch.
Alternate sequin colours along a continuous line.
Work across an existing row through a sequin’s central hole.
Draw the finishing thread tail to the reverse side of the fabric.
Your Practice
With the front of the fabric facing you, draw a curve with one or two loops. Arrange your two colours of sequins on separate soft pads or dishes, then make a starting lock.
Pick up the first sequin with the hook, insert the hook into the fabric, and draw out a loop. Slide the sequin onto the loop and secure it with a stitch. Repeat along the guideline, changing colours from time to time.
Where the curve crosses an existing sequin row, carefully pass the hook through the central hole of the sequin at the crossing point and continue stitching.
Once the line is complete, draw out a large loop and cut the thread. Pull the finishing tail through to the reverse side, ready to secure it.