Location: Hand & Lock School for Embroidery & Creative Arts, 86 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 8TE
Duration: 2 Day Workshop (10am - 4:30pm each day) 

Join us for our two-day Tambour (Lunéville) embroidery course and discover the art of couture bead application. Embroidery using hooks originated in India and China, arriving in France in the 19th century and is now seen across catwalk collections in the world’s most renowned fashion houses from Dior to Chanel and many more.

Throughout your two-day course you will explore the delicate art of tambour beading using a specially designed hook to attach beads and sequins to silk fabric. You will work on a pre-framed slate frame which keeps the fabric stretched tightly like a drum and we will provide you with a guide on how to reproduce this framing method at home. You will learn how to apply seed beads, cupped or flat sequins (depending on your selection from our couture collection) and bugle beads. What makes this course so special is that you can tailor it to your own preferences by choosing your thread colours (both matte and metallic Fil à Gant threads) and your beads and sequins from our bead wall.

Another unique element of our Couture Tambour Beading course is that we teach both the classical French method of bead application and the Indian method using Aari embroidery. This means you will gain experience embroidering with a hook from both the top and the underside of the stretched fabric.

Important Course Information

- Please check your email address is correct before ordering.

- Read all of the course description information above and the “How the Course Works” information below before booking.

- 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 FAQs page here.

Taught Techniques 

- Tambour / Lunéville Embroidery 

- Chain stitch / Beauvais stitch

- Attaching seed beads, bugle beads and sequins

- Aari embroidery techniques

What You’ll Need to Provide 

- All materials and tools will be provided. You will be able to choose your own colours for the design and work with whichever materials you prefer during the course. 

- If you wish you are welcome to bring your own mug for refreshments and your own embroidery kit, though this is completely optional and not required.