Beaded Lemons Embroidery Course

Location: This course is delivered via Zoom & WhatsApp. Please click here for guides to using Zoom & WhatsApp

Duration: 4 Week Embroidery Course (1 x 2.5 hour session per week for 4 consecutive weeks) 

Inspired by the lemons of the Amalfi Coast, this four week course will bring a little sunshine to your embroidery practice. You will be introduced to a range of couture beading techniques alongside delicate thread work and goldwork details, building your skills as you create a vibrant, textured lemon design.

Throughout the course you will learn how to work with beads and sequins, layering them to create surface texture and depth. You will also explore how to use felt padding to build raised areas, adding sculptural dimension to your embroidery. Goldwork touches will bring a twinkle to your design, teaching you how to combine traditional techniques with contemporary style.

By the end of the course you will understand the fundamentals of couture hand beading and raised embroidery and take away a finished lemon design that captures the spirit of Mediterranean colour and light.

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• Please read all of the course description information above and the technical and shipping information below before booking your course.

• All courses are non refundable, if you cannot attend please let us know as soon as possible and we will try to move you to another course.

• If you have any questions please check our FAQ's page here.

The design for this course is inspired by the bright lemons of the Amalfi Coast. It has an asymmetric layout that reflects the natural shape of a citrus branch. Beaded lemons in rich yellow tones are paired with dark green thread work leaves, with gold accents adding light and detail. The balance of embroidery and blank space is influenced by Gucci couture collections, where pattern and empty ground are set against one another to create a feeling of modern luxury. 

Embroidery has always been part of haute couture, bringing texture, detail and a sense of luxury to fashion. This course focuses on hand embellishment and beading, the techniques that make layered designs full of depth and character. You will learn how to use beads, sequins and thread work to create bold raised lemons with thread work leaves and bright highlights.

Hand-stitched motifs have long featured in luxury fashion. Designers use colour, layering and embellishment to give designs movement and richness, turning decoration into something that catches the light and creates texture.

Gucci often uses citrus motifs, balancing detailed patterns with open space to create a feeling of modern luxury. This shows how beading, thread work and gold accents can be combined to create designs that are joyful, textured and full of character.

In this course you will put these techniques into practice. You will explore hand beading, padding and embellishment to build texture and dimension, giving you the skills to create your own couture-inspired embroidered lemons.

• You will begin by learning how to transfer your design onto fabric using a traditional transfer method. We will be working on ivory silk organza, which is ideal for practicing couture embroidery techniques.

• You will learn how to create padding for the base of your lemons using a technique called felt padding. On top of this base you will work cupped sequins with seed beads, stacking them to create layers of embellished texture for your design.

• You will then learn the fundamentals of satin stitch embroidery. You will prepare your outline with a split stitch to stabilise the fabric before applying your satin stitches, and we will share tips and tricks to help you keep your angles even and smooth.

• On the satin stitched leaves you will then apply a couched gold twist to add beautiful goldwork detailing to the centres.

• Finally, you will learn how to apply crystals and finish your floral buds with chipping in a champagne shade of bullion purl.

• All course materials will be sent directly to you. You will need a 10-inch seat frame, or an equivalent embroidery or slate frame, to use during the class. You will also need to provide your own basic embroidery equipment, such as scissors, needle threaders and a daylight lamp, according to your individual needs. 

• When you book the course, we will send you our Embroidery Essentials document, which outlines all the tools and equipment you might want to have ready to get the most out of your learning experience.

• A recording of each course session will be sent to you within one week of the session. You will then be able to keep and refer to this recording indefinitely.