Soutache (pronounced - so͞o-tăsh′) is a narrow flat decorative braid. It's been used for trimming clothing and particularly military uniforms for centuries. But it wasn't used in jewelry until an innovative designer, Dori Csengeri experimented with it in the 1980's. The rest, as they say, is history. The elegant style definitely shouts "statement"!
I recently received this book Sensational Soutache Jewelry Making for review from Interweave/F+W Media. The Hungarian designer Csilla Papp started with beadweaving and bead embroidery before falling for soutache jewelry making - Dori Csengeri is one of her favorite designers! The author developed her own design style.
The book consists of 15 projects which vary from simple to more challenging designs. Overall the designs are distinctive but not too showy. The designer has a wonderful sense of color and placement. Of note is her use of other materials such as bugle and metal beads,chains, braided leather in her pieces. Shown here are some of my favorites from the book.
The basic techniques section is very well covered. The author shows how to prepare flat back cabochons as well as the pointed ones like rivoli crystals. Creating different shapes around bead clusters was most inspirational.
The undulating back part of the Angeline necklace is lovely.
It is indeed possible to integrate metal beads in a soutache design as shown in the Sophia earrings below :
The braid itself can also be used as the "chain".Soutache jewelry - with the exception of earrings are ideal for those who are metal allergic! The Apollo pendant necklace also features a very clear use of braided leather in the design.
The colorful America bracelet design features green cathedral beads - an underrated style of beads.
This mandala part of the India Choker below is made up of chains and beads sandwiched between the soutache braids!!
This is a wonderfully clear instructional and inspirational book which should help out soutache jewelry making novices get started. What is more, you are allowed to follow her instructions and sell the resulting pieces at craft shows etc!
Giveaway
If you'd like to win a copy of Sensational Soutache Jewelry Making, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international.
If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, June 6 , 2016 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure
I receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
Before You Go:
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
I recently received this book Sensational Soutache Jewelry Making for review from Interweave/F+W Media. The Hungarian designer Csilla Papp started with beadweaving and bead embroidery before falling for soutache jewelry making - Dori Csengeri is one of her favorite designers! The author developed her own design style.
The book consists of 15 projects which vary from simple to more challenging designs. Overall the designs are distinctive but not too showy. The designer has a wonderful sense of color and placement. Of note is her use of other materials such as bugle and metal beads,chains, braided leather in her pieces. Shown here are some of my favorites from the book.
The basic techniques section is very well covered. The author shows how to prepare flat back cabochons as well as the pointed ones like rivoli crystals. Creating different shapes around bead clusters was most inspirational.
The undulating back part of the Angeline necklace is lovely.
![]() |
Angeline Necklace |
The braid itself can also be used as the "chain".Soutache jewelry - with the exception of earrings are ideal for those who are metal allergic! The Apollo pendant necklace also features a very clear use of braided leather in the design.
The colorful America bracelet design features green cathedral beads - an underrated style of beads.
![]() |
America Bracelet |
This mandala part of the India Choker below is made up of chains and beads sandwiched between the soutache braids!!
![]() |
India Choker |
Giveaway
If you'd like to win a copy of Sensational Soutache Jewelry Making, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international.
If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, June 6 , 2016 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure
I receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
Before You Go:
- Beautiful Soutache Earrings to Get You Started
- Amazing Soutache Jewelry by Dori Csengri
- Book Review : Soutache and Bead Embroidery
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Wire JewelryTips -Jewelry Business Tips
Wow this looks like the book I need, I have all the bits and pieces but just need some good instruction.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway ! so many inspirational pictures ! I would sooo love to win !!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try this!! I follow you faithfully.
ReplyDeleteGlenda
pglenda@yahoo.com
I'm not sure I've ever seen anything so lovely!
ReplyDeletesuzi@suziwollman.com
This soutache embroidery stuff has fascinated me for ages, it's so stunning and seems to have such a wide range of applications. Am a subscriber and blog follower, can be reached at retro-grrl@hotmail.com. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteGreat technique, i would love to get this!
ReplyDeletepao_andreas@hotmail.com
I have wanted o learn to do this for a while. What a great opportunity.
ReplyDeletemsternst@gmail.com
such a beautiful inspirational book. Would love to try this.
ReplyDeleteI never got the courage to try this technique. May be with such a wonderful guide I would try it.
ReplyDeleteThnak you so much for all you share
I love soutache and would love to discover new techniques !
ReplyDeleteOh I would so much LOVE to have this book!!!
ReplyDeleteDian E.
agamemnonFURY@gmail.com
Thankyou :)
I imagine that even if you don't work with soutache that you could learn a lot from this book anyway.
ReplyDeleteAm I correct?
Yes, indeed. There is no telling where you can apply some of the techniques. Remember the grey silk cord bezel around the crystal necklace of mine? It is like the cinching of soutache around beads!
Deletehttp://www.beadinggem.com/2016/05/endless-leathers-50-giveaway-stitched.html
I have the supplies, and have even done a brief foray into soutache. But, have not delved in like I know it needs. I would love this book to help motivate me. beadcontagion@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe book looks great. I would love to try making the soutache jewelry.
ReplyDeleteI have admired soutache necklaces and pendants. the colors and and designs seem limitless. This book looks like the perfect book to start off with on how to learn soutache....I would love to win! thank you !! Judy S.
ReplyDeletejsaunders.macpherson@yahoo.ca
Oh, my word, this book looks fab! Soutache has been on my "to-do" list for a while now. I have the supplies to make a small project & this book looks like just the inspiration & push I need to actually give it a try.
ReplyDeletePearl, as always, thanks so much for all you do for the beading/jewelry-making community. I always enjoy your blog & Favebook posts.
Thanks Holly for all your kind words!!
DeleteI would truly love a new way to create with gems and crystals. I'm excited to learn about this book and would definitely do every project. Thanks Pearl
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win this book - I've been interested in soutache but have never tried it.
ReplyDeleteJoan
langerfeld@twc.com
I would love to try this new technique. It looks similar to quilling. I haven't tried quilling yet either lol. I can imagine myself doing this while relaxing. Thanks for sharing!! xxx_jpaul@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an exciting technique. I'd love to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
smitharts2002@yahoo.com
Oh, what a wonderful giveaway! I would love to win! Greetings from Poland :)
ReplyDeleteThere is so much possibility with soutache jewelry, so many variations! I love the technique and would be ecstatic to win this book!
ReplyDeleteSue B
sue@winddancerdesigns.com
It would be awesome to win this. I have always wanted to learn this technique.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I have wanted to try soutache.
ReplyDeleteThe jewelry in the book is beautiful! It's great you let us know about these interesting books AND provide a chance to win a copy. Thanks Pearl! I receive your email blog. rochelleth@hvc.rr.com
ReplyDeleteI love Soutache and yet I can not afford this book. So winning would be awesome for me and my potential clients of the future.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of the jewelry made from this soutache tecnique.I'm sure that book can gave me the "boots" to try it. I'm a suscriber. linda.lalibarte@hotmail.com
ReplyDeletethis jewelry is just stunning!
ReplyDeleteI would love to get a hold of this book. I inherited some soutache and have been wondering what to do with it. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletedragonswing15137@yahoo.com
I am a blog follower and would love to win this book!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful technique!
ReplyDeleteIncredible jewelry! I am looking for a learning opportunity...a new jewelry technique for the summer and Soutache would be perfect. Love your journal, Pearl! amytich@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely looking book. It's a style I've been wanting to try and this looks a great resource for that.
ReplyDeleteicbnett (at) gmail (dot) com
I've been wanting to learn this technique and what beautiful inspirational pieces. I'm a little scared to try it, but with any luck this book will teach me...if I'm lucky to win that is. tinaholden1@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing giveaway! So many beautiful designs.
ReplyDeleteI need to learn this! These projects are all so interesting! Fingers crossed this time!
ReplyDeleteReminds of a paper quilling project my mother once made. What lovely designs!!
ReplyDeleteOOps I forgot to include my email, it is sarrge@care2.com
ReplyDeletewow.. All the designs look amazing.. I am sort of learn it yourself girl.. But this would be a great step in improving my work.. thanks for the chance..
ReplyDeleteI am a blog subscriber too
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful soutache jewelry!
ReplyDeleteCederlindcathy@comcast.net
I'd love to learn to do this!
ReplyDeleteHello Pearl! I'd love to give soutache a shot again. Count me in! I accidentally loaned my last book to a beading fellow in town and haven't gotten it back yet. Tamara. vanishingpearl@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteTried this once; have some supplies just waiting to be used. Just need this book.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have it!!! A great book to improve this technique.
ReplyDeleteEmail: jbeitiene@gmail.com
Would absolutely be thrilled to win a copy of this book!! Never used soutache but would love to learn!
ReplyDeleteFantasztikus!
ReplyDeleteI love soutache! <3
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have it! Amazing book! Szuper ez a könyv!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful technique! How interesting that it was used for military uniforms for so long before being used for jewelry. It's fascinating how things evolve!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm in! I always wanted to know this.
ReplyDelete