Shisha embroidery is an Indian stitching technique used to attach small circular pieces of mirror or metal to a background fabric.

This technique can also be used to attach sequins, or in my case, beer bottle caps!!

To start a square is stitched by running two horizonal and two vertical lengths of thread over the cap and looping them around the previous thread when it crosses to secure the cap in place.

I did this using 3 strands of embroidery thread, I then started the looping stitches, one to attach to the fabric, and one as a decorative stitch and then repeated. I found that the framework was too loose, and the cap came free.

I tried it a second time, this time I was unhappy with the thread, it was too fine, and I could not see the ‘decorative’ thread properly.

The third attempt,  I did the framework then repeated it over the top of the first, I used 3 strands of embroidery thread for this. Then I changed to cotton purl no. 5.

This s what it looks like, I think I need a bit more practice, but this is an interesting way to use beer caps 🙂