How to make beautiful traditional rainbow lace Ñandutí accessories

Ñandutí is a traditional lace embroidery technique from Paraguay in South America. While it may look difficult at first glance, with practice, you can create accessories like these. This time, we'll show you the detailed steps for making Ñandutí.

◇Materials and tools required

Please choose your preferred color of thread.

·cloth
Embroidery thread
Cross stitch needle
Accessory findings
　Earring or clip-on earring findings, jump rings, 9-pins
・ビーズ
・Wooden frame
　Thick thread and needle, craft glue, brush, etc.

◇ Assemble the wooden frame and stretch the fabric over it.

The key is to stretch the fabric taut and without any sagging.

Apply glue firmly to the indentations and then assemble the wooden frame.

Stretch the white cloth with thick thread.

Make sure the fabric is stretched taut.

Fold the edges of the fabric in half and sew them. This will prevent them from fraying if you pull on them during the construction process.

◇Transfer the design.

Transfer the design onto the fabric using a pencil or similar tool.

◇We will create the base using the warp threads.

Tie a knot at one end of the thread, pick up the end at the three marked points in the design, and bring it out from the other end at the same point.

Insert the thread below the knot, splitting it as you go.

Scoop up the same spot again. This time, leave about 1 cm of the knotted end.

Insert the thread below the knot once more.

Pull the thread upwards firmly so that the thread you are pulling on top is in the center.

Insert the needle from the rightmost point and bring the thread out from the adjacent point.

Pass the thread under the thread below and insert it into the next point. Repeat this process.

The base for the warp threads is complete.

◇The weft threads are passed through the base.

Be careful to pick up the thread every other row.

Starting from the left edge, pick up every other thread of the base with the needle, and pass the weft thread from left to right.

Once you've threaded the yarn through to the right, pull the weft thread tightly.

Next, pick up the threads that were not picked up in the first row, moving from right to left.

To reiterate, from the second row onwards, thread the yarn without pulling it too tightly or too loosely, and you'll get a nice finish.

On the last row, thread the beads.

Secure the beads with a knot.

Pulling to the right, then to the left, will create a neat knot.

Repeat the process of threading the beads, and your diamond-shaped motif will be complete.

◇Finishing

Apply diluted craft glue or laundry starch to the front side using a brush. Be careful not to get glue on the beads, applying it right up to the edges of the beads. For a clean finish, lightly dab the glue on with the brush.

Apply glue from the back side as well. Make sure to firmly attach the entire piece of fabric to the back side.

After applying adhesive to both sides, let it air dry or use a hairdryer to dry it thoroughly.

◇Once dry, cut along the seams.

Once the glue is dry, use scissors from the back to cut along the edge of the seam.

Gently peel off the fabric attached to the motif.

Trim any exposed weft threads on the back side to make them less noticeable.

Finally, attach the accessory findings.

The "diamond-shaped Ñandutí with beads" is complete.

The delicate threads that are linked together are eye-catching.

As seen in this piece, using mixed-color yarn allows you to enjoy gradients. It's lovely not only as an accessory but also as a decorative motif. The possibilities for variations are endless depending on the yarn and parts you use.

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