Luxurious natural stones and sparkling crystals in silky ribbons - all this refers to a unique and inimitable soutache. At the very beginning, it may seem to you that soutache is incredibly complex and incomprehensible to you. But this is not true at all! This cord is quite convenient to use. He will always tell you where to direct the pattern and will not let you make a mistake! This newfangled hobby is suitable for every girl, but the easiest way to master this technique will be for those who have worked with embroidery before.
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The history of the creation of soutache
The fashionable direction “soutache” appeared in France at the beginning of the 14th century. At first, girls' dresses and various accessories (earrings, brooches, etc.) were decorated with soutache embroidery. But only thanks to the Dutch masters, the soutache technique did not remain within the framework of French history, but began to rapidly develop throughout the world.
In Russia this direction appeared during the reign of Peter the Great: at that time, men's dresses were decorated with soutache cord. Over time, such an innovation lost its value and this technique was practically forgotten. And only in the 90s, embroidery with soutache cord again gained enormous popularity. All this thanks to M. Nagrin, who began to use cords when creating his jewelry (necklaces, brooches). Thus, the jeweler not only revived a unique technique, but also created a new direction - jewelry soutache.
Modern soutache
Today, soutache weaving is gaining more and more popularity, since such original jewelry attracts the attention of not only young girls, but also older women. The best fashion designers are increasingly using soutache jewelry in their collections, because the graceful lines and shine of stones in any situation emphasize the girl's sophistication.
Ready-made soutache products are quite expensive these days, so most girls and women create soutache jewelry with their own hands. Despite the fact that it will take a lot of time to create one such decoration, the final result will delight and surprise you.
Weaving from soutache is not quite the correct name for the technique, because the work is carried out using monofilament, which is practically invisible. If you have some knowledge in the field, then you will certainly cope with this exciting work!
Before starting work, you need to prepare all the necessary material. It is best to choose high-quality and expensive materials, as you will create a beautiful and unique thing!
To make the product, take:
- soutache cord (soutache tape), which can be purchased at any sewing store;
- cabochon (from natural stone or polymer clay);
- various beads, stones, crystals, etc.;
- multi-colored beads;
- invisible monofilament;
- bead needle;
- scissors;
- or a small piece of leather.
Scheme of work execution
- First, you need to draw a sketch of the product you plan to make: diagram it on a sheet of paper, and also mark where the beads will be located.
- Now you can sew directly. To do this, fold the soutache tape 2-3 times. You should start from the intended center, for example, it will be a cabochon (natural stone). You can first trim it with soutache cord, and then start sewing on beads or seed beads. Then you will see for yourself in which direction to continue working and how to continue the pattern.
- When your product is almost ready, do not forget to put the back side in order, because how you decorate the back side will determine how long the sewn beads will last and how long the shape will remain. To do this, attach felt or a piece of genuine leather to the back side and trace the outline of the product. Cut out the resulting blank and sew it with monofilament from the wrong side.
This is the last stage of work and your product is ready! After that it is necessary to select a basis, where the product will be attached. You can take a hairpin, brooch or anything else. You can decorate clothes in this way, but the technology will be slightly different from making accessories.
It must be taken into account that products made from soutache cord are quite fragile. Therefore, you need to avoid snags, because if one bead comes off, the entire decoration will unravel and it will be quite difficult to replace it.
Making money from soutache weaving
If you practice soutache often, you will gradually gain experience. Then you can try to earn extra money by making unique custom-made jewelry with your own hands. The first person you can present your products to may be your relatives and friends, because some of them have never encountered the soutache technique before and the finished jewelry will amaze them. You can also sell your products on various fairs or other events.
DIY soutache decorations: master class
If you still decide to make jewelry from soutache, then follow the step-by-step diagram of this master class and you will succeed.
Original earrings
You won't buy soutache earrings in a jewelry store, but you can create them yourself. The soutache cord itself is inexpensive, so the cost of creating the decoration will be minimal.
To create earrings you will need:
Getting started: master class on making
To start, take two ribbons of different colors and fold them in half so that the purple one is on top of the blue one. Sew them neatly together in the middle.
Now you need to take a large artificial pearl bead, put it on a needle and attach it to the middle where two soutache ribbons are sewn.
Wrap the blue ribbon around the bead so that it touches the second hole and sew it tightly, passing the needle through the two holes and through the ribbons. Do this several times.
After that, put the purple ribbon on the blue one and sew it in the same way. Now, as before, lay the blue ribbon along the entire bead, only now it should go along its entire circumference and sew it, pulling the ribbon as tightly as possible.
Place the purple one on the blue ribbon and sew them together. As a result, you should have a completely trimmed bead.
Place the needle on the side and put a lilac bead on it, first retreat from the large bead 5 mm
Place four beads in a row like this and do not forget to sew each one with a through seam through the two lower ribbons. After this, secure your beads by sewing the top and bottom ribbons together with one seam.
Now put a large blue bead on a needle and cover it with ribbons so that the blue one is on the bottom and the purple one on top. Sew two ribbons like this to the base of the artificial pearl.
When you reach it, put a teardrop-shaped bead on the needle, press all four ribbons tightly together and sew them together.
After that, take out the needle on the right side of the teardrop bead and put a large blue bead on it and sew it through the 4 top ribbons. You should have 2 ribbons left at the bottom. Sew on 3 more beads as well and continue sewing all four ribbons together until one large blue bead is formed.
Pull the needle to the right of the large bead and put a small faux pearl bead on it. Cover it completely with two ribbons, connecting them with one seam, and then continue stitching along the ribbons in the reverse order. Sew all four ribbons together until you reach the large lilac bead. Be sure to keep your seams neat and even.
When you reach the second bead, you need bend the ribbons 180 degrees and sew them in the opposite direction.
Soutache jewelry embroidery is a great way to transform your old clothes into something smart and fashionable, and this technique is also used for handbags, shoes, and even beautiful jewelry created by yourself.
Soutache is used to create all kinds of three-dimensional details, with or without the use of fabric for fastening the soutache. A volumetric element created without a base is formed with the help of soutache coils, closely laid and fixed with invisible seams.
In creativity, a special narrow ribbon is used - soutache. With the help of a thin needle and transparent threads, soutache is attached to the fabric base, connecting to each other and forming voluminous beautiful weaves. Continuous zigzag lines create wonderful plant patterns. It is characterized by laying out a pattern along the outline using braid, sewn with invisible seams.
Soutache cord
Soutache is used in embroidery because this rope is thin, flexible, fits well, and is easy to work with. This braid consists of several laces fastened with a thin winding. The webbing includes a dimple in the center area between two laces. A needle will subsequently be inserted into the resulting recess to secure the rope to the fabric.
Variety:
- cotton;
- silk;
- synthetic;
- viscose.
Manufacturers produce them in a variety of colors.
The surface of the cord is made shiny and smooth, so the ornaments created using this technique look very elegant and attractive. For such extravagant sewing, thin needles are used. Experienced needlewomen opt for thin and strong threads that match the tone of the main working material. For beginners who want to learn the soutache technique, needlewomen recommend acquiring a hoop, although they themselves have not used them for a long time.
Earrings in soutache technique
Earrings made using this method look incredibly beautiful.
Sewing is done with simple types of hand stitches. The most commonly used stitch is a “forward needle” stitch with a small step. Young girls like soutache embroidery more and more, and they are happy to learn how to work on such an exquisite embroidery process.
Simple stitches and flexibility of the working material, quick filling of a large area with ornaments attract not only needlewomen, but also new craftswomen. The desire to make something unusual and individual with your own hands, to add charm to a product, unites amateurs and beginners. The splendor and grace of soutache jewelry fascinates and arouses the interest of art connoisseurs.
Let's take a closer look at how to make earrings.
Earring making workflow
To carry out creative work we will need the following materials:
- Fabric base.
- Soutache cord.
- A thin bead needle.
- Beads.
- Stones.
- Felt or leather flap.
- Scissors.
- Scheme.
- Copy paper.
- Candle or glue.
Before making textile earrings, the prepared design is transferred to the canvas using copy paper or a special marker. The ornament is chosen to be continuous, without cutting the cord. You can use Richelieu embroidery and other well-known patterns. The continuous ornament makes it possible to create the impression of continuous openwork processing and frees you from the need to hide the tail. Delamination of cut satin soutache cord is prevented by burning it over a candle or by treating it with a transparent adhesive that does not leave marks.
The working thread is secured with several small seams in an area that will be covered with sewn braid during manipulation.
When making stitches, we stick the needle vertically to avoid horizontal movement of the rope relative to the base and warping of the product. The thread should be moderately loose - not overtightened or sagging. And the fixing stitch will be invisible and neat. We carefully ensure that the lace does not stick out at points of sudden bending. Therefore, the made turns are well fixed among themselves with invisible thread seams.
All volumetric crafts are made up of individual parts. The process of manufacturing volumetric elements is that the ribbon is placed “on edge”, and at the moment of fixation on the canvas, it is placed parallel, tightly pressed against the fabric. The curls are connected to each other by alternately pricking them in order of placement. During the manipulation process, several threads with individual needles are used.
The basis is felt fabric or leatherette, and the important purpose of the described materials is decoration, which consists in the need to hide the underside of a homemade craft and make it attractive.
Having understood the theory, the technique of connecting coils and armed with perseverance and determination, even a novice needlewoman can master a narrow cord. Use a variety of additional details in making: beads, cabochons, seed beads and other decor. Earrings, necklaces, and brooches enchant with their beauty. The main advantage is uniqueness and exclusivity. Delicate, requiring perseverance and diligence, work with soutache cord and an abundance of miniature fragments are distinguished by individual production. Therefore, soutache works are in great demand among popular fashionistas, celebrities and artists.
All people who want to look great and fashionable can learn how to use this technique by familiarizing themselves with the above. Of course, gold and silver works are in great demand, but, unfortunately, they are not available to everyone. Therefore, having applied the acquired knowledge in practice, needlewomen will create no less original jewelry creations from soutache cord with their own hands.
Mastering the techniques described above, craftswomen create unique and individual crafts that delight with their unsurpassed beauty.
The soutache technique originates in France in the mid-15th century. This technique was used to decorate dresses and make brooches. Then it gradually lost its popularity, and from the 19th century it began to revive and even became a separate direction. The name of this technique is based on the material with which the products are created. This is soutache - a silk braid that consists of two silk cords connected to each other by a braid, most often viscose. The color of the braid and the cord itself must be the same.
The quality of soutache is judged by this property; the more they match in color, the higher quality the soutache cord is. Using the soutache technique, a variety of DIY jewelry is created. They are very unusual and elegant. Soutache jewelry gives its owner a sense of confidence and a certain sophistication. No one will think that it was created with their own hands. Soutache is also used to make embroidery on clothes, brooches, combs and hair clips, and so on. The scope of application of this technique is large.
The essence of soutache technique
Below we discuss the essence of the soutache technique and what needs to be done to get a beautiful product. This technique consists of sheathing cabochons made of precious and semi-precious stones with soutache braid, while sewing beads between the ribbons and adding some accessories. The variety of types of soutache cord, as well as beads, beads and accessories suggests the creation of unique and inimitable products. Thanks to the recess located in the middle of the braid, they can be sewn together alternating colors. At the same time, the seam fits perfectly and hides in this recess.
Why is soutache used? He is very obedient to work with due to his flexibility. Soutache is quite thin and flat, which allows it to fit perfectly onto fabric or be held together for decoration. And soutache itself is very beautiful, it is shiny and smooth. The soutache technique is not easy; it requires a lot of patience and painstaking work. After all, a slight deviation in the bends of the cord immediately catches the eye, and the product looks sloppy.
Clothes decoration
Mastering the technique of soutache master class requires. This section discusses an example of decorating clothes using this technique. After all, it was with this type of needlework that the soutache technique began. For this you will need:
- Soutache braid;
- Monofilament or fishing line;
- Thin needle;
- Pencil;
- Beads.
The desired design is applied to the clothing with a thin pencil. Zigzag patterns with curls, etc. will look beautiful. Next, the soutache braid is sewn to the clothing according to the intended pattern, making a seam in the recess of the cord. In this case, the braid can be combined with beads and other accessories. These are the beautiful dresses you can end up with.
Soutache technique: master class on costume jewelry
Here we will discuss the technique of creating jewelry from soutache master class. Such decorations will not leave anyone indifferent and will always attract the attention of others. Although the work ahead is painstaking and hard, the result is worthy. The technique of creating jewelry using soutache is presented using the example of a pendant.
So, first you need to prepare everything you need:
- Soutache braid in several colors;
- Monofilament or fishing line;
- Cabochon;
- Thin needle;
- Beads, beads;
- Scissors;
- Glue;
- A sheet of paper and a pen;
- A piece of felt and leatherette or leather.
First you need to draw a detailed sketch of the pendant.
Now the cabochon is glued to the felt and it is cut in a circle, leaving half a centimeter around the edge of the cabochon.
Prepare two pieces of soutache, approximately 15 cm each. The edges of the soutache must be secured either with glue or simply lightly burned. After the glue has dried, the soutache cord is sewn to the felt around the cabochon one at a time using small stitches.
The remaining tails of the cord are fastened together by adding a bead in the middle.
Now the soutache is folded back and beads are sewn on, inserting a needle into the base on one side and into the braid on the other.
In this way, the entire cabochon is sheathed in a circle.
All the details of the future pendant are created using the same technique.
Now they are all fastened together with seams, and are also fixed on the back of the pendant.
The last step in creating a piece is to glue a piece of leather or leatherette to the back of the pendant to give it a neat look. The pendant is ready.
Anyone, having studied several techniques and with a detailed description of the master class on soutache technique, will be able to create various decorations and decor for clothes with their own hands or use them as costume jewelry. 
Any creative work requires a clear plan or at least a well-thought-out concept before being brought to life. The first stage consists of the preparatory process. First of all, we choose or create a scheme for the future decoration. If possible, it is necessary to draw the product, think through every detail and elements so that you can purchase the required materials. The second stage is the creative process or the practical application of the knowledge gained from the master class on soutache technique:
— we lay out the elements of the decoration that has not yet been created in front of us, we process the edges of the soutache braid. Some needlewomen singe the ends, others glue them with PVA glue. A novice master himself chooses the most convenient strategy for himself, which he will adhere to in his work. The main thing is that soutache embroidery, made by yourself, brings pleasure; - the next step is to fold the soutache braid together and bend it in half. Sewn with small stitches. Stitches should be made towards the ends, starting from the middle; - if the product uses a cabochon, any other stone or decorative element with a flat side, then it is first attached to the lining material. When it is a precious stone, cabochon, cameo, they are glued to leather, felt or dense material. If the element replacing the stone has holes, it is sewn on; — we begin to stitch the secured cabochon from the middle in a circle with braid. Soutache braid is most often used in several layers. You can use multi-colored ribbons or a plain type. The soutache technique allows you to develop imagination without limiting the master’s capabilities. To create a soutache strand, you can sew it together with your own hands or using a sewing machine with a special foot; — after sheathing the cabochon, we sew the ends of the braid to each other. A kind of gap is formed between them; - the resulting space is sheathed with beads, beads, in general, with whatever the master’s level, class or imagination prompts; - the remaining processed ends of the braid are secured on the wrong side; - if you use beads, then we go through the bead rows for covering the gaps or the entire product several times so that they hold more securely; - the ends are hidden on the wrong side. After the hand-made decoration is ready, the reverse side is covered with a small piece of dense fabric or material so that rough, sloppy seams and ends are not visible. Invisible seams are made of wire or glued. The seams can be covered with a row of beads. If this is a brooch, cameo or other part that is attached to clothing, then you can attach a pin or immediately sew it to the finished product... a few useful things and photos - 
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Soutache is a braided silk cord used for finishing clothing, the braid of which is thin and flat. Soutache jewelry can be used to decorate a wardrobe, mainly for women. Such jewelry can be created with your own hands.
According to Wikipedia, soutache is a braid, a narrow woven or braided strip or cord, usually having only one system of obliquely woven threads. It is used for finishing and repairing clothing, and is often sewn into finished products to strengthen seams; in addition, it has a wide variety of uses in the home.
In needlework, soutache is used, for example, as a thread to create various products using the macrame technique. And needlewomen also love to make original jewelry out of it. A step-by-step tutorial on how to make a brooch from soutache is easy to find on the Internet,
Soutache decorations can be used to decorate a wardrobe
For beginning craftsmen, there are simple ways to do this work. But even a simple soutache technique helps produce beautiful products.
Master class on creating a brooch:
- It is best to make such decorations using soutache ribbon. Also for this work you will need: a cabochon, beads, multi-colored beads, a needle for beads, a lighter, silicone glue, a brooch clasp, a piece of felt and scissors.
- Take a piece of fabric. A cabochon is glued onto it.
- It must be trimmed with beads. The cabochon is trimmed in three rows.
- Then a large bead is attached to the center.
- Multi-colored soutache should be placed over the resulting workpiece in two rows. The cord must be baited with monofilament fishing line.
- After this, a small loop is made. The edge of the loop needs to be cut and lightly burned with fire. It is convenient to use a lighter for this.
- Then the work is covered with beads again. It is recommended to use beads of different colors to make the layers stand out. This will make the craft look brighter and more beautiful.
- After re-beading, the loop needs to be made again, then its edge must be cut and seared.
- At this stage you can start working with the underwings. Take 2 cabochons that need to be glued. They are also trimmed with beads in 2 rows.
- Then a cord is attached to them. Several loops are made, from which turns of the cabochons should be formed. Tape can also be used here.
- A large bead is sewn in the center. It should be wrapped with one soutache braid.
At the last stage, the clasp is attached to the brooch.
Gallery: DIY soutache (25 photos)
Soutache for beginners (video)
Weaving a soutache bracelet for beginners: master class
If everything is done correctly, the bracelet will turn out very beautiful. In addition, weaving it will not take much time.
Master Class:
- The first step is to attach the cabochon to the fabric. But to make the bracelet stronger and last longer, it is recommended to use leatherette or leather instead of fabric.
- You need to wait until the glue is completely dry. Only after this can work continue. Then the soutache is cut off. You definitely need to take into account the need to make curls, so you shouldn’t cut off the soutache “at the root.” For beginners, it is recommended to leave an extra 2 cm just in case. Then they can be trimmed.
- Next, the soutache needs to be wrapped around a large bead. After this, it should be sewn very tightly.
- Soutache is stitched through 5 cords. It is recommended to use thin-nose pliers at this stage, especially for beginners. The fact is that soutache is very durable, so it is not always possible to pierce it with an ordinary needle.
- The curl is attached from the edge, bending to the wrong side. A total of 4 such elements are made.
- The beads are wrapped in braid, trimmed and attached to the sides of the workpiece.
If everything is done correctly, the bracelet will turn out very beautiful.
DIY soutache necklace
To ensure quality work, you need to follow the instructions:
- Only thick fabric should be used. You need to make a necklace by gluing a cabochon to it.
- After this, the fabric is cut off along the edges, but you need to leave an allowance of approximately 0.5 cm.
- Then the cabochon is trimmed with beads in a circle. A very thin needle is used for this.
- When beading, it is better to use nylon thread rather than fishing line, because it is more durable. On the second row, beads are not sewn along the entire row, but through one bead.
- On the third row, all gaps are filled. The thread is pulled to the wrong side.
- A tight cord wraps around the edge of the cabochon. It is carefully sewn onto the edge.
- Then take a cord of a different color and sew it on in the same way.
- You need to take a beautiful black pearl, wrap it with braid and sew it on.
- Then a few more beads are wrapped around the edges with a second cord.
- Large beads are sewn around the work circle.
- To form a ribbon for a necklace, you need to bend large beads in several rows with a cord.
The necklace turns out beautiful, and the technique is not so complicated
Beginners may break beading needles at first, there is nothing wrong with that. You just need to purchase a set of such needles in advance and promptly replace the broken tool with a new one.
How to make soutache jewelry: step-by-step instructions for creating earrings
- For this work you will need soutache ribbons of two colors. They are folded and stitched in the middle.
- Then a large bead is wrapped around the thread and sewn to the ribbon. After that, it is wrapped around the tape and stitched together.
- This tape is tightly wrapped around the second tape. Re-stitching.
- After the bead is trimmed with two ribbons, you can begin beading. A large bead is trimmed in a circle with small beads. In this case, the beads should be wrapped around two ribbons.
- Next, another beading is done, but the material, this time, should be larger. Large beads are similarly covered with two ribbons.
- Then a teardrop-shaped bead is put on the needle and sewn between two ribbons.
- At the last stage, you need to attach a clasp to the earring.
Tip: Before wearing hand-made soutache earrings, they must be disinfected. Alcohol can be used for these purposes.
What materials will be needed for such work?
- Soutache cord or soutache tape. These materials can easily be found in sewing stores or handicraft shops.
- Beads of different shapes and colors.
- Cabochons. Both natural and artificial cabochons are available for sale.
- Needle for embroidery with beads. It is best to buy needles with a reserve, as they often break.
- Monofilament.
- Fabric surface, leather or leatherette. This material is used as the basis for creating soutache decoration.
Soutache laces are the first thing you need for work
These are the main materials, but the master may need others in his work, for example, thin-nose pliers.
- Since soutache craft takes a lot of the craftsman’s time, you should not skimp on materials. You need to remember that with high-quality materials you can not only get a beautiful product, but also make your work easier.
- To better navigate such a matter as creating soutache jewelry, you can draw a sketch of the future work in advance. You need to plan your activities based on this sketch.
- You should not cut the soutache cord at the root, because if it is not enough to complete the work, everything will have to be redone. It is better to leave the cord with a reserve, because it can then be cut at the end.
- Attention should be paid not only to the front, but also to the back side of the work. How well the product will keep its shape will depend on it.