A simple scheme of the tambour seam and its variety

In embroidery, the scheme of the tambour stitch is considered one of the simplest. This is a very ancient technique, which is still actively used in needlework. This seam is convenient to fill empty spaces in the drawing, as well as tracing out the contours of all kinds of leaves, flowers and other elements of the embroidered picture. It is stunningly flexible and plastic: any rounded forms and spiral arches can be made with a tambour seam. Nevertheless, many skilled workers avoid using it in their work. If you are not too sure about your embroidering technique, you will certainly need instructions and detailed instructions how to sew with a tambour seam. There are as many as three ways to accomplish this simple element.

Common seam

• Start with a simple stitch on the prepared fabric. You need a standard stitch of a small size - the specific parameters are not particularly important, but its length should not exceed 6-7 mm. This will be the first "link" of the future chain. To perform a simple stitch, puncture the fabric with a needle from the wrong side, pull the thread to the front side and slide it through the fabric a short distance from the first puncture.
• Make the first loop without tightening the stitch to the end and passing the thread through the formed arc. As a result, the initial fragment of the seam will become the basis of the future chain, and a new puncture will need to be performed away from it - on the left or on the right. Scheme of the stitching seam means volume and some splendor, so if the first loop is too tight, you need to expand it with the tip of the embroidery needle. Pass the thread into the stitch in such a way as to ensure its moderate tension (if you overdo it, you can inadvertently crumple the canvas).

Continuation

• Bring the needle to the front of the tissue in the same place where you made the second puncture. Next, measure the length of the initial stitch by eye and follow in the direction of the stitches. The seam will have the form of narrow ovals connected together - unique links of a single chain.
• Go back to the site under the top of each of the stitches to embroider the next.
• To complete the embroidery, fix the last "link" with the usual stitch "forward needle". It should be very small, so that the circuit of the stitch seam remains unharmed.

Volumetric seam

• The work begins in the same order as when performing a simpler, classic version of the embroidery. The volumetric variant is best suited for decoration of picturesque silhouettes and "heavy" borders. First, execute the first loop unchanged.
• The method differs from the previous one starting with the second "link". It begins as usual, however, to complete the loop, it is necessary to hold the needle with the thread not through the first link, but through the initial stitch at the base of the seam. The needle should then be removed to the previous puncture.
• The third link passes through the first and second. For this purpose, the needle is held under both of the previous loops simultaneously. This is a very important point, on which the entire scheme of the stitch seam in its voluminous form depends. Starting from this stage, you can no longer pay attention to the initial stitch.
• Repeat the above steps until you reach the desired length of the picture. Each time, removing the needle on the front side of the fabric, draw the thread through the last two loops. If you carefully follow the instructions, a thick chain will appear on the canvas, which seems very solid and impressive.

Rope weld

Embroidery with a tambour seam, the schemes of which are quite simple, hides interesting and interesting nuances of the design of paintings. Many skilled workers are able to perform only a classic seam, some - its three-dimensional version. But there is also a little-known version of the "tambour" - the so-called "rope" chain, which in appearance resembles a real rope or even a rope. Learning to embroider it yourself is not as difficult as it seems.

• If you already know well how to sew with a tambour seam, do not let the new technique of needlework confuse yourself. Yes, usually the beginning of the embroidery is preceded by the initial stitch, from which successively the chain links come out. However, to create a "rope" effect, you only need to bring the needle to the front side of the fabric.
• Wrap the working thread around the needle near its point. Turn the needle so that it is in front of the thread and make one full turn, tightening the stiff loop around the tool.
• Collect a small piece of tissue on the needle. To do this, pierce the canvas near the first puncture and, in no case pulling the thread, pull the needle to the wrong side at some distance.
• Pass the needle over the work thread. You got the first stitch.

Embroidery with a tie-back seam, even in its "rope" version, continues along a similar principle. Having mastered all three types of decorative embroidery, you can create whole pictures with only a tambour seam.