Melbourne Couture Beading & Embellishment Beginners Course May 10-11th 2025

This is a unique opportunity to learn Couture beading & embellishment with British Couture dress designer Charlotte Appleby in Melbourne!

This 2 day course gives an in depth approach to tambour beading and couture embellishments practiced in the Couture houses of Paris today. It will cover the tambour beading technique using silk organza, seed beads and bugle beads to cover the basic chain stitch and a vermicelli design. The 2nd day will cover couture embellishments including ribbonwork, 3d beadwork & flowers.

** In addition to the weekend you will also receive the online course for FREE (worth $580!) and follow up online zoom sessions throughout the year. Be part of the Couture Bead Masters Community. 

Day 1
Understand specialist supplies required for couture beading such as the variety of beads and sequins and the way ‘fil a gant’ thread is made in France.

Learn how to create a solid framework ready for beading using silk organza on a rotating frame.

The main focus is on the basic chain stitch using a tambour hook correctly set up for silk organza. Learn how to secure a starting and finishing knot and change direction.

Seed beads, cut beads and bugle beads are used to start tambour beading with a variety of threads.

Day 2

Further develop the tambour beading technique by working with flat and cup sequins before creating the vermicelli pattern using the Ari technique.

Further techniques are combined to the couture beading with a beading needle to create contemporary beadwork including ribbonwork, 3d beadwork and flowers.

These are all applied to a mini sample at the end of the day.

Please remember although you will be learning in a mixed technique group, your class is tailored specifically to your progress. 

Venue: 

Times:  SAT 10am - 4pm - SUN 10am - 4pm

All materials are included.

This includes couture beading thread, silk organza, beads, sequins, ribbons, bugle beads, seed & cut beads.

Please bring basic sewing kit and a 4'' clamp (see discussion on Facebook event for more details)

Option to purchase tambour hook, needle and frame for $70. If purchased you will take away after class.