Using Felt embellishments

With Christmas in the not too distant future many of my current customers are buying my embellishments to either make quick gifts or unique accessories. 

Likewise my business customers purchase so they can add designer touches to otherwise plain products.As everything from my beads to my appliques and shapes are designed to be mini artworks in their own right, it means quite a punch can be added to an item in a relatively short time and cost effectively to maximize profit.

This bag is an example of a sample I whipped up in an afternoon, which included making the actual bag but the same can be done to a bought item in less time. I made a simple tote bag from a remnant of black velvet lined with satin then arranged my nubble style felt beads in my required design on the front. 

To keep the felt pieces in position for my design while I embroider, I put a tiny bit of fabric glue on the back to stick each one in place. Always be careful when using glue on fabric that you don't use too much so it squeezes out from under your embellishment or through the top layer onto the back of your item leaving a mark also. I always pop a piece of plastic bag behind the layer I am working on to avoid accidents. If it is a washable item I often skip the glue and just pin in place.

The finishing touch was a row of random sized blanket stitch down one side of each bead. I used a fine metallic machine embroidery thread to create highlights of colour, sparkle and when I pulled some stitches tight, extra texture.

I use a similar method to embellish plain garments for a quick designer touch. It's amazing how often I can pull out the same dress or top and always get the same comment of  " Is that new ?" by ringing the changes with toning , complimentary or contrasting embellishments.