Pretty paillettes add real-metal elegance
Paillettes,
or little round discs of real silver or gold, have been ornamenting
clothing and fabric for centuries. You see them on costumes and gowns in
museums, on haute couture garments today, and probably in the
needlework projects of your stitcher friends. They are often used in
silk-and-metal needlepoint projects and counted thread designs. Just
Cross Stitch magazine is currently featuring them in their 30th
Anniversary sampler project. As a real-metal decoration, paillettes add a
level of elegance to a design, plus unique texture, a little shimmer to
catch the light, and "something different" to capture attention. As
needleworkers and creative people, we love details, and paillettes are
about as uniquely-detailed as you can get.
A
paillette is a French word that is pronounced "pie yet." Kreinik sells
these real-metal spangles in gold and silver, in several sizes. Here is a
page with photos and details, plus a ruler-comparison to show sizes: http://www.kreinik.com/shops/
Paillettes
are surface embroidery embellishments, sewn onto a design using just
about any thread, but the most common is silk thread. Attach one by
bringing your needle up through the fabric next to the paillette (note:
select a needle that will pass easily through the hole), then down
through the center hole. Usually three stitches in a "Y" formation are
enough to keep the paillette in place. You can top off a paillette with a
bead for added dimension, or make a decorative stitch over the spangle.
Apply them in clusters or singly as needed to achieve a desired effect
in a design. They make beautiful embellishments for borders and
backgrounds. You can even use them to replicate "realistic" texture such
as fish scales. 
Kreinik's
paillettes are ecclesiastical grade, which means the real metals have
been processed with an additional tarnish-proof coating which extends
the length of time it will remain bright. If used on a garment, go to a
dry cleaner with experience in treating heirloom clothing or costumes.
Take a
look at the photos here for inspiration on where you can use paillettes
in your next project. Whether you are making a wedding dress,
embellishing costumes for your local theatre group, creating jewelry, or
doing needlepoint, cross stitch, counted thread, stumpwork, surface
embroidery, or Brazilian embroidery, you can use these real-metal
decorations just as our needlework-ancestors did: to add the most
elegant spangle you've ever seen.
