Needle Bow – Embroidery Services

“J’essaye juste de changer le monde, un sequin à la fois.”

— Lady Gaga

Adding decorative stitches to textiles to enhance their beauty has been an artistic endeavour since humans first clothed themselves. It can be said to be an art form as early as the cave paintings of prehistoric French caves (Lascaux, Chauvet du pont d’Arc). Embroidery has reflected history throughout its development and offers an exciting palette of stitches and styles to add individuality and expression to contemporary clothing, accessories, home linens and decoration.

I am an experienced embroiderer, a graduate of Art school Gilles Jamain in Rochefort, France — Diploma in Artistic I.E. A-levels with a professional specialisation in Fashion Trades and Gold Embroidery (French BMA: Brevet des Métiers d’Art option Broderie Or). I have worked professionally in the fashion houses of Paris and the UK.

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabrics by adding a flat or raised pattern of threads onto a fabric, sometimes integrating materials such as sequins, beads, or even gemstones. There are a wide variety of stitches and threads — combinations of which provide boundless opportunity to create unique effects.

Some techniques require specialised materials and training, for example Tambour Beading (Crochet Lunéville) and Gold Work — in both of which I have expertise. Using my skills I love designing and applying embroidery effects that respond to and develop a design aesthetic.

If you have a special garment or a special occasion that needs some flair, contact me for a chat about the possibilities. Pricing depends on the scale of the piece and the types of materials used.

Tambour Beading

Broderie Lunéville — Crochet Lunéville

The technique was invented in Lunéville, France, in the early 19th century. It was originally used to imitate lacework, but was later developed for use on garments by adding pearls within the chain stitch.

Tambour beading is one of the most popular techniques used in fashion embroidery, and has become the embroidery language of haute-couture houses. It is used by designers all over the world to create intricate and versatile embroidery.

It is my favourite embroidery technique.

Gold Work

Broderie au fil d’or

Gold work embroidery is a form of embroidery from medieval times. This technique was used to embellish garments for religious figures. It is very old and requires fine needlework. Despite its historical origins, it is not commonly used in haute couture today — but now this technique can be applied to any type of embroidery project, giving it a modern twist.

There are many different metal threads used in gold work, but the main one I use is called passing. Passing has a thread centre wrapped with metal foil to create the metal effect. It is used for couching, filling areas and creating detail. Other threads such as lurex can also be couched down, along with Anchor metallic embroidery threads.

3D Embroidery & More

Stumpwork, Ribbon Technique & Traditional Hand Embroidery

Embroidering flat on fabric may not give you the depth that you require. By building layers of fabric on top of a base fabric you can create another dimension for your garment — although this is not always thought of as embroidery, but rather as fabric decoration. I like to think you can combine elements of traditional embroidery techniques into the layers of fabric to create something entirely new.

3D beading is a step away from traditional techniques but is used heavily in the world of fashion embroidery. Ribbon embroidery and traditional hand embroidery in cotton offer yet more ways to add personality and texture to any piece.

For all these skills, I would love to work on your ambitious projects. Loving a challenge, I will do everything I can to make them happen.

Embroidery Services