Learn haute couture beading and embellishment with our textile & fashion courses in Sydney!
Discover the intricate artistry of haute couture beading and embellishment and explore techniques traditionally associated with couture fashion and specialist textile work. Over 2 immersive days, you'll develop practical skills in both tambour beading and detailed hand embellishment while creating your own beautifully worked samples.
Guided by an expert tutor, you'll begin with the foundations of tambour beading on silk organza, working with specialist tools, threads, beads and sequins to develop essential techniques. You'll learn how to create chain stitch and vermicelli patterns before expanding your skills with ribbon work, 3D beadwork and delicate floral embellishments.
Throughout the course, you'll gain an understanding of the materials, tools and techniques used in couture beadwork while developing the precision and control needed to create intricate decorative finishes.
Whether you're a designer, sewist, costume maker or simply passionate about fine handcraft, this course offers an opportunity to develop specialist techniques that can be applied to fashion, costume and textile projects.
By the end of this Haute Couture Beading course, participants will have developed practical skills and knowledge in areas such as:
- Applying foundation techniques in couture beading using specialist tools and materials
- Identifying different types and qualities of beads and sequins used in couture work
- Selecting appropriate tools, threads and materials for different fabrics and techniques
- Preparing silk organza on a rotating frame for tambour beading
- Using a tambour hook to create decorative beadwork
- Creating a vermicelli (cornelli) pattern using the Ari technique
- Working with ribbon, sequins and 3D beadwork techniques
- Combining different embellishment techniques to create a finished sample
- Applying couture embellishment techniques to fashion, costume and textile projects
What will be covered in this Haute Couture Beading & Embellishment course?
During the course, participants will be guided through key concepts, techniques and approaches that typically include:
Day 1 – Tambour beading foundations
- Understanding specialist couture beading supplies, including different varieties and qualities of beads and sequins
- Learning about fil à gant thread and how it is made in France
- Preparing silk organza on a rotating frame ready for beading
- Setting up and using a tambour hook correctly on silk organza
- Securing starting and finishing knots and changing direction
- Creating chain stitch using tambour techniques
- Working with seed beads, cut beads and bugle beads using different threads
Day 2 – Beading and embellishment techniques
- Expanding tambour beading skills using flat and cup sequins
- Creating a vermicelli pattern using the Ari technique
- Exploring contemporary couture embellishment using a beading needle
- Working with ribbon techniques
- Creating dimensional effects with 3D beadwork
- Exploring floral embellishment techniques
- Combining techniques to create a completed mini sample
Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.
Who is this Haute Couture Beading course for?
This course is suitable for absolute beginners through to experienced makers who would like to explore specialist couture beading and embellishment techniques.
It is ideal for:
- Anyone curious about haute couture beading and embellishment
- Sewing and craft enthusiasts looking to expand their skills
- Students who have completed a sewing essentials or fashion illustration course
- Designers developing a fashion label
- Costume designers looking to expand their embellishment techniques
- Sewists and tailors wanting to develop specialist handcraft skills
- Learners interested in fashion, costume or textile craftsmanship
No previous beading experience is required.
Looking for a shorter introduction to beadwork techniques? You might also like our Contemporary Beadwork & Appliqué Workshop — a one-day creative session focused on surface embellishment and appliqué design.
Rozelle Campus
2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)
What to bring to class
What we provide
- Couture beading thread
- Silk organza
- Beads
- Sequins
- Ribbons
- Bugle beads
- Seed and cut beads
- Access to a tambour hook, needle, slate frame and specialist thread for use during the course
Optional equipment purchase
A tambour hook, needle, slate frame and specialist thread are available to use during the course. If you would like to take this specialist equipment home, it can be purchased directly from your tutor for $170.
