{"title":"Collector's Pieces","description":"\u003cp\u003eRare survivors of the great sequin makers, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom. Factory hanks still wearing their original tags, made in Belgium and Great Britain, alongside real metal sequins from the same era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of a kind pieces to treasure, display or stitch into something special. When they are gone, they are gone.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"transparent-cuvettes-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"Transparent Cuvettes - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage transparent cup sequins (cuvettes) from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom. Made in Belgium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy tagged hanks are rare:\u003c\/strong\u003e in a couture workroom, the embroiderer cut the cord to free the threads, and the little card tag was thrown away. Most hanks were then used up completely. A hank that still has its peacock tag and seal was never opened. The tag is printed in English, “Made in Belgium”, which suggests these were made to be sold in Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFull Hank with peacock tag (4mm and 5mm):\u003c\/strong\u003e a full factory hank, still tied with its cord and brass seal, with the original card tag (a peacock on one side, “Made in Belgium” on the other). Only 4 survive in 4mm and one in 5mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 4mm sequins have an iridescent finish and the 5mm a holographic finish. The untagged 5mm hanks are sealed with a red tie.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"4mm Iridescent Finish - Full Hank with peacock tag","offer_id":56158712660347,"sku":"13217001060347","price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4mm Iridescent Finish - 1 Thread","offer_id":56193701871995,"sku":"13217001171995","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"5mm Holographic Finish - Full Hank","offer_id":56158712693115,"sku":"13217001293115","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5mm Holographic Finish - 1 Thread","offer_id":56193701904763,"sku":"13217001304763","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"6mm Clear Holographic Cuvettes - 1 Thread","offer_id":56199448953211,"sku":"13217001453211","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"5mm Holographic Finish - Full Hank with peacock tag","offer_id":56547987751291,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4mm Iridescent Finish - Full Hank","offer_id":56547988341115,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_9b9549bb-b30d-4335-ab63-61c8bdb9965a.jpg?v=1773800890"},{"product_id":"4mm-aqua-blue-metallic-cuvettes","title":"4mm Aqua Blue Metallic Cuvettes - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage aqua blue metallic cup sequins (cuvettes), 4mm, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom. Made in Belgium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStrung tightly on the hank they look almost black; each sequin is a bright metallic blue cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy tagged hanks are rare:\u003c\/strong\u003e in a couture workroom, the embroiderer cut the cord to free the threads, and the little card tag was thrown away. Most hanks were then used up completely. A hank that still has its peacock tag and seal was never opened. The tag is printed in English, “Made in Belgium”, which suggests these were made to be sold in Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Hank with peacock tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full factory hank, still tied with its yellow cord and brass seal, with the original card tag (a peacock on one side, “Made in Belgium” on the other). Only 2 survive in the archive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Hank:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full hank of the same sequins, tied with plain thread, without the tag.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Thread:\u003c\/strong\u003e a single strand from the hank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"1 Thread","offer_id":56198142722427,"sku":"36983341022427","price":4.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Hank","offer_id":56198142755195,"sku":"36983351155195","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Hank with peacock tag","offer_id":56547981918587,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_ee55a271-5d87-4eb6-8fcf-2de16257364d.jpg?v=1775831324"},{"product_id":"5mm-pine-green-iris-cuvettes-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"5mm Pine Green Iris Cuvettes - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage pine green iris cup sequins (cuvettes), 5mm, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom. Made in Belgium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy tagged hanks are rare:\u003c\/strong\u003e in a couture workroom, the embroiderer cut the cord to free the threads, and the little card tag was thrown away. Most hanks were then used up completely. A hank that still has its peacock tag and seal was never opened. The tag is printed in English, “Made in Belgium”, which suggests these were made to be sold in Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Hank with peacock tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full factory hank, still tied with its cord and brass seal, with the original card tag (a peacock on one side, “Made in Belgium” on the other). Only 3 survive in the archive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8 threads with peacock tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e a part hank of 8 threads, still carrying its original peacock tag. Only 2 available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2 threads with peacock tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e two threads still tied under the original seal and peacock tag. Only one available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Hank:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full hank of the same sequins, without the tag.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Thread:\u003c\/strong\u003e a single strand from the hank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"1 Thread","offer_id":56202542645627,"sku":"53137401045627","price":3.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Hank","offer_id":56202542678395,"sku":"53137411178395","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Hank with peacock tag","offer_id":56548037296507,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 threads with peacock tag","offer_id":56548051485051,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 threads with peacock tag","offer_id":56548055515515,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_98d2b369-b6a5-42f2-81f1-985dd710d7fb.jpg?v=1775845295"},{"product_id":"4mm-sphinx-black-cuvettes-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"4mm Sphinx Black Cuvettes - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage sphinx black cup sequins (cuvettes), 4mm, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom. Made in Belgium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy tagged hanks are rare:\u003c\/strong\u003e in a couture workroom, the embroiderer cut the cord to free the threads, and the little card tag was thrown away. Most hanks were then used up completely. A hank that still has its peacock tag was never opened. The tag is printed in English, “Made in Belgium”, which suggests these were made to be sold in Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Hank with peacock tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full factory hank with its original card tag, a peacock on one side and “Made in Belgium” on the other. Only one survives in the archive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Hank:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full hank of the same sequins, without the tag.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Thread:\u003c\/strong\u003e a single strand from the hank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"1 Thread 4mm","offer_id":56202580033915,"sku":"69224621033915","price":3.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Hank 4mm","offer_id":56202580066683,"sku":"69224621166683","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Hank with peacock tag 4mm","offer_id":56547982115195,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_bb463812-d8d0-4df6-973f-4614173bb143.jpg?v=1775846891"},{"product_id":"5mm-bronze-amber-cuvettes-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"5mm Bronze \u0026 Amber Cuvettes - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage cup sequins (cuvettes), 5mm, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom. Made in Belgium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDark bronze threads, with amber, gold and clear sequins at the ends. An early sequin with a soft, aged surface: a collector’s piece as much as an embroidery material.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy tagged hanks are rare:\u003c\/strong\u003e in a couture workroom, the embroiderer cut the cord to free the threads, and the little card tag was thrown away. Most hanks were then used up completely. A hank that still has its tag and seal was never opened. The tag is printed in English, “Made in Belgium”, which suggests these were made to be sold in Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1 Hank with Made in Belgium tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full factory hank, still tied with its brass seal and original card tag. Only one in the archive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9 threads with Made in Belgium tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e a part hank of 9 threads, still carrying its original tag. Only one available.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"1 Hank with Made in Belgium tag","offer_id":56548142154107,"sku":"56548142154107","price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"9 threads with Made in Belgium tag","offer_id":56548142383483,"sku":"56548142383483","price":80.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/5mm-bronze-amber-cuvettes-norman-hartnell-archive-1_e2f00845-b103-4a74-82f0-f5baffc1b947.jpg?v=1793240909"},{"product_id":"wespa-spangles-made-in-great-britain-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"WESPA Spangles - Made in Great Britain - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eCollector’s hanks of sequins with their original \u003cstrong\u003eWESPA Spangles\u003c\/strong\u003e tags, “Made in Great Britain” printed on the back. From the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor collectors, not for stitching.\u003c\/strong\u003e These are museum-type pieces, to keep and display as rare survivors of British sequin making, with their tags still tied on. Loose British-made paillettes turn up now and then, but a whole tagged hank is something we have not found offered anywhere else.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWESPA was the trade mark of \u003cstrong\u003eArthur Weil Ltd\u003c\/strong\u003e, a spangle maker at 111 City Road, Cardiff, who advertised “spangles in all colours” at the 1947 British Industries Fair. The V\u0026amp;A holds a WeSpa sample card in its collection, dated 1940–1960.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe material:\u003c\/strong\u003e these sequins are unusually thick and glassy. They appear to be Perspex, the clear acrylic developed in Britain in the 1930s and best known as the material of aircraft cockpit canopies, including the Spitfire’s. The V\u0026amp;A records Perspex for its own WeSpa sample card too. Sequins made from it are almost never seen today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGold and silver, 10 threads, pink WESPA tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e two-faced spangles, gold on one side and silver on the other, so they change colour as they turn. The pink tag shows the firm used more than one label colour. Two hanks available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue-grey, 10 threads, WESPA tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e a deep blue-grey hank that shows its age, so please look closely at the photos. One hank only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"Blue-grey, 10 threads, WESPA tag","offer_id":56548152869243,"sku":"56548152869243","price":200.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gold and silver, 10 threads, pink WESPA tag","offer_id":56548175544699,"sku":"56548175544699","price":200.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/39386.jpg?v=1793214778"},{"product_id":"turquoise-real-metal-sequins-bundle-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"Turquoise Real Metal Sequins Bundle - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eA bundle of vintage \u003cstrong\u003ereal metal\u003c\/strong\u003e sequins in two sizes, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA turquoise lacquer over copper. Where the colour has softened with age the warm metal shows through, so each sequin carries its own mix of turquoise, silver and bronze.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe bundle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea 10mm roll of about 50g, still on its string with a small original handwritten card tag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003etwo threads of 7mm, about 12g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbout 62g in total. Sold together as one bundle. Only one available.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"Bundle, about 62g","offer_id":56548157456763,"sku":"56548157456763","price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/turquoise-real-metal-sequins-bundle-norman-hartnell-archive-1.jpg?v=1793241035"},{"product_id":"5mm-rose-silver-real-metal-sequins-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"5mm Rose Silver Real Metal Sequins - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage \u003cstrong\u003ereal metal\u003c\/strong\u003e sequins, 5mm, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA soft rose silver: warm copper glowing through a silvery surface, so the colour shifts between pale silver and blush as the light moves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHank of 5 threads:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 55g on its original string. Only 4 available.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"5 threads","offer_id":56548158505339,"sku":"56548158505339","price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/5mm-rose-silver-real-metal-sequins-norman-hartnell-archive-1.jpg?v=1793241098"},{"product_id":"2mm-rose-copper-real-metal-sequins-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"2mm Rose Copper Real Metal Sequins - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eTiny vintage \u003cstrong\u003ereal metal\u003c\/strong\u003e sequins, 2mm, from the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA warm rose copper with a silvery sheen. At just 2mm they give a fine, glittering texture, almost like metal thread, and are very hard to find today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHank of 5 threads:\u003c\/strong\u003e about 27g on its original string. Only 2 available.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"Hank of 5 threads","offer_id":56548159095163,"sku":"56548159095163","price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/39401.jpg?v=1793222756"},{"product_id":"5mm-bronze-embossed-sequins-paillettes-au-coq-norman-hartnell-archive","title":"5mm Bronze Embossed Sequins, Paillettes au Coq - Norman Hartnell Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003eA small vintage lot of 5mm sequins still wearing its original \u003cstrong\u003ePaillettes au Coq\u003c\/strong\u003e tag: a red rooster, “Marque Déposée, Qualité Unique, Made in France”. From the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaillettes au Coq was a French sequin brand of the 1940s and 1950s, known for its finely embossed and shaped paillettes. These are a warm bronze with a delicate fluted, embossed surface, and the ends of the threads show glimpses of gold and iridescent silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3 threads with tag:\u003c\/strong\u003e sold together as one lot, as the threads are tangled and tied to the tag. A collector’s piece, and lovely for a small special project. One lot only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Embroideress Couture","offers":[{"title":"3 threads with Paillettes au Coq tag","offer_id":56548182851963,"sku":"56548182851963","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/7906\/8204\/files\/39459.jpg?v=1793220878"}],"url":"https:\/\/embroideresscouture.co.uk\/collections\/collectors-pieces.oembed","provider":"Embroideress Couture ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}