Soutache Cords

This type of cord is a flat braided silk thread used for creating fashion accessories, jewelry, or clothing embellishments. Our soutache cords are high quality and come in different colors and styles. Here are some interesting facts about soutache cords that will pique your interest.

What is Soutache?

 Soutache cords are usually made of fine wool, silk, metallic, synthetic, or viscose threads. The cords are tightly braided in a herringbone pattern over two main cotton threads. This creates a small channel in the middle, allowing for the placement of different colored cords side by side, aligned with their flat sides, and sewn precisely in the center.

This way, the side part of the cords forms the visible part of the resulting elements. The stitches used are not visible and secure the layers of cords, which often surround beads, creating volume. The result is a variety of multi-layered structures, combining curves, arcs, spirals, and twists.

Where Did Soutache Come From?

This elegant decorative technique traces back to the 15th century. At that time, in France, tailors began to lavishly adorn the dresses and coats of aristocratic families, religious garments, and interiors of wealthy homes with cords and ribbons.

It is believed that the word "soutache" comes from the Hungarian word “sujtas,” which means "braid,". It was also called "galloon" (a shiny braid for embellishing uniforms) from the French "galloner," which means to decorate with lace or Russian braid. Around 1800, during Napoleon’s reign, military uniforms also gained elaborate ornaments with motifs of white, gold, or red cords. The complexity and richness of these decorations reflected the rank.

Soutache? Russia, Morocco, Bulgaria

During the Industrial Revolution, the production of soutache cords increased and became more affordable, expanding their usage significantly.

A Bulgarian counterpart to soutache is the "gaitan." This braided woolen cord is a complex structure formed by interweaving three or more threads. In the 18th and 19th centuries, residents decorated their traditional costumes with gaitan in a distinctive way. The widespread use of gaitan led to the industrialization of the braiding process, for which gaitan-making machines were used. These were powered by strong water currents, providing a good livelihood for the people in our mountain towns.

Soutache embellishments are part of traditional attire in Russia and Morocco. The characteristic outfits of mariachi musicians in Mexico and the vibrant and beautiful costumes of bullfighters in Spain are also adorned with soutache.

In the early 20th century, with changes in fashion, the decoration with soutache cords declined. However, in the 1980s, contemporary designers appreciated the elegance of the technique, and it made its way into jewelry ateliers. The first person to use soutache cords in handmade jewelry was Dori Csengeri, an Israeli fashion designer.

While studying in Paris, she experimented with different materials and textile cords, shaping them into collages and panels. She perfected soutache and bead embroidery techniques and her creations are a stylish part of haute couture today. She intricately combines Swarovski crystals, beads, chains, and metal components.

Soutache Jewelry

What are these accessories? Their base consists of twisted, intertwined soutache cords and beads and various stones (imitation, semi-precious, and even genuine precious minerals and artificial materials). The soutache ribbon is an elastic, thin, glossy cord resembling a dragon’s tail. The ribbon can be twisted into spirals, shaped into figure-eights, braided with beads, intertwined with other ribbons, and more.

Such jewelry usually turns out to be voluminous and looks rich with the successful selection of stones and lace. However, it’s important to remember that your first creations may not turn out perfectly—you need experience. Practice as much as possible, and soon you will create neat and delicate decorations.

How to Combine Soutache Jewelry?

Jewelry can be the focal point for a plain or neutral outfit, enhance a formal look, or add color and shine to any clothing that might otherwise look dull. However, matching them correctly can be quite challenging if you don’t follow some simple rules. Here’s what you need to know -if you pair jewelry with a blouse or dress with the wrong neckline, you could ruin your entire outfit. Wear the right necklace that complements your neckline to enhance your overall appearance.

Select your jewelry carefully - the wrong one can spoil your outfit. So, what should you wear with soutache jewelry? Necklaces made with this technique significantly enhance the chest area, making them a useful decoration. The simpler the design of the dress, the more spectacular the soutache jewelry will look. Try a casual style: wear these pieces with shirts and jeans. Such a necklace looks striking with a tightly buttoned shirt. Play with color combinations: for example, black ribbon, green and purple stones, or white lace, purple and blue cabochons.

You might think that when you wear a formal dress to an important event, you should pair it with elaborate jewelry. It’s the opposite!

Simple yet stylish jewelry pieces complement long, glamorous dresses or other formal outfits much better. Delicate jewelry, like discreet stone earrings, will add a touch of elegance to your outfit without taking the focus away from the clothes.

What Do You Need to Create a Soutache Bracelet?

Prepare the following tools:

- Several soutache cords in different colors

- Threads of the same color

- Beads

- A small piece of leather

- A clasp for the bracelet

You should start from the center, not the end. Take a large bead and secure it between two cords. The accompanying beads should be firmly fixed. Tighten the cords with thread. Then take two more soutache cords in different colors and continue to wrap. Add four more beads, securing them to the sides of the base. Using the small beads, form a semicircle. Secure the ends of the soutache firmly and repeat the process on the other side.

Add a few more layers of soutache, inserting small beads into the already completed rows. Trim the excess thread and secure it with a special clip.

Did You Know...?

Handmade jewelry is one of a kind. Custom-made jewelry can be quite expensive due to the craftsmanship involved. Make your own to give it your creative spin and save some money. Find a variety of decorative cords at affordable prices on EM ART.

How Did Soutache Cords Become So Popular

Materials made from natural substances like silk and wool fascinate people with their natural essence. They evoke a sense of belonging in people, gently reminding them of the natural cycle. An interesting phenomenon is that if you search for "soutache" on Google, you will encounter its natural combination with the word "wedding." Wedding decorations with soutache, wedding jewelry, and appliqués. A wedding celebrates the soul and represents the union of spirit and matter.

The answer lies in the material used, its history, elegance, and its ability to reflect the style and individuality of its owner.

Types of Soutache Cords

• Textile soutache cord 2.5 mm
• Textile soutache cord 3 mm

Soutache cords come in the following colors: cream, yellow, dark gold, orange, pink, purple, red, green, brown, gray, black, white, ecru, khaki, dark blue, champagne, and dark brown.

Prices

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