A tambour hook or tambour tool is used for bead embroidery (also called French embroidery beading) as well as decorative chain stitch embroidery called tambour work. It has a small, bent tip similar to a crochet hook or rug hooking tool. The hook catches the thread on the backside of the fabric, pulling it to the front side to create loops or attach beads or sequins.
It is generally recommended to apply a thin layer of fray stop glue to the gauze after the embroidery is complete. Prevents fabric unraveling and thread slipping when cutting.
How to Do the Chain Stitch in Tambour embroidery
Click "French Crochet Chain Stitch Tutorial" to learn
Beginners Skills Tutorial and Notes:
Tambour embroidery is worked on embroidery fabric stretched tightly in a frame. This is then attached to a lap or floor stand to allow the embroiderer to use both hands. The fabric should have a large enough weave for the hooked needle to pass through without catching as it comes back to the front. Sometimes tulle fabric is used for this type of embroidery.
Chain stitch embroidery using a tambour hook is worked from the top surface of the fabric, with the right side of the work, facing the embroiderer. However, when a tambour hook is used for beading and sequins, the beads are threaded onto the working thread , and the design is worked from the backside, with the wrong side of the fabric marked and facing the embroiderer.
With either technique, the working thread is kept on the underside of the fabric. After pushing the hook through, you catch the thread in the hook and pull it to the front. There is a bit of a learning curve when working with a tool like this, but after some practice, it can be a speedy process.
Click "French Bead Embroidery Tutorial" to learn the basic operations of bead embroidery.
After reading the above two learning tutorials, you can try to make basic finished products and design your own creative bead embroidery work based on what you have learned in the video.
The video has Russian and French subtitles on YouTube. Click "French embroidery butterfly brooch making tutorial" to make and learn how to make a butterfly brooch.
Butterfly Drawings→
This ratio is based on A4 paper size, if you need to draw, please print it out.
Click "Romantic Veil" to craft and learn
Romantic Veil Drawings →
This ratio is based on A4 paper size, if you need to draw, please print it out.
Back treatment 1: fray stop glue + pu leather + glue
Back treatment 2: Cardboard + glue + pu leather + the edges are sewn by hand with beads
Tutorial for sewing edges with beads
Embroidery Petal backside treatment