Cream Perlaine Sequins 5mm & 6mm - Norman Hartnell Archive
Cream Perlaine Sequins 5mm & 6mm - Norman Hartnell Archive
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Vintage flat sequins in a soft cream perlaine, the pearly, semi-opaque finish that glows rather than sparkles. From the archive of Mollie Welch, tambour embroiderer in Norman Hartnell’s workroom.
A warm, creamy white that sits beautifully on ivory silk and organza. Lovely for bridal work and tone-on-tone embroidery.
Choose your size:
- 5mm: a lot of 4 threads
- 6mm: a lot of 3 threads
Please note: these threads are vintage and quite tangled, so they are sold as lots rather than one by one, and priced to match. Allow a little time to untangle them before stitching.
About the Archive
This exquisite collection of mid-20th century dressmakers’ beads and sequins originates from the archive of Mollie (Marjorie Constance) Welch, an accomplished embroiderer who worked for Sir Norman Hartnell from 1937 onwards.
Mollie began her career at the prestigious Hartnell couture house on Bruton Street, London, where she contributed to royal and aristocratic gowns embellished with intricate beadwork and embroidery. Her early diary entries mention work on the Queen’s Coronation gowns, including the iconic feather bodice created for Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) in 1937, and she later assisted with the Coronation ensembles of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
After retiring in 1970, Mollie cherished her collection of materials — sequins, beads, and embroidery samples — intending to open her own atelier to teach tambour embroidery. Although fashions changed and her plans never came to fruition, these beautiful embellishments have remained safely preserved for decades.
The set offered here comes directly from the Mollie Welch archive, a tangible link to one of Britain’s most celebrated couture houses and the golden age of royal embroidery under Norman Hartnell.