Master the Flow of the Chain Stitch.

At Northern Trades & Mercantile Co., we provide the tools that bridge the gap between tradition and modern efficiency. The Tambour Embroidery Set—named for the French word for "drum"—is a specialized tool designed for makers who require precision, speed, and structural integrity in their beadwork.

Whether you are filling in large floral patterns on a velvet yoke or securing dentalium onto ceremonial regalia, the tambour hook allows you to work with a rhythmic chain stitch that is significantly faster than traditional needle-and-thread methods once mastered.

The Professional’s Toolkit

This set is designed to stay in your sewing bag for a lifetime. The ergonomic wooden handle is weighted for comfort, reducing hand fatigue during those long winter nights of craftsmanship.

This Set Includes:

• Ergonomic Wood Handle: A classic, turned-wood holder with a brass tension screw for secure needle placement.

• Three Interchangeable Hooks: Includes three different gauges to accommodate various thread weights, from fine Nymo to heavy-duty sinew.

• Instructional Guide: Basic steps to help you find your rhythm and master the tambour chain stitch.

Why Tambour?

In Northern beadwork, the "Voyager" or "Floral" style often requires dense fills and flowing outlines. The tambour hook functions like a microscopic crochet needle, pulling thread from the underside of a stretched frame to lock beads and sequins into place with a durable, interlocking stitch. It is the secret to high-end, textured regalia that stands the test of time.

Sustain Your Heritage. Honor the Craft.

The essential foundation for any traditional or contemporary beader, our Miyuki Nylon Beading Thread in White (Size B) is the professional’s standard for purity and strength. Like the vast, untouched snow of the tundra, this thread provides a clean, bright base that allows your bead colors to pop without interference.

Engineered in Japan, this bonded nylon is specifically treated to resist the shredding and tangling often caused by the sharp edges of glass beads. The Arctic Snow white is indispensable for working with translucent, opal, and light-colored beads, ensuring that no dark thread shadows dull the inner glow of your work. From intricate peyote stitch to heavy-duty regalia assembly, this rot-resistant fiber provides the structural integrity and timeless finish that Northern artisans depend on for pieces intended to be passed down through families.

• Size: Size B (Standard)

• Length: Approx. 55 Yards per spool

• Color: White (Miyuki Color Match)

• Quantity: 1 Spool

Complete your cool-toned masterpieces with the precision of Miyuki Nylon Beading Thread in Silver (Size B). Designed to disappear into silver-lined beads, pewter accents, and cool-spectrum palettes, this thread carries the shimmering essence of glacial frost. Like its counterparts, this Japanese-engineered nylon is bonded to prevent fraying and provides the perfect tension for both intricate needle-weaving and durable fringe.

The Silver Willow hue is the secret weapon for artists working with 'White Heart' reds or translucent blues, where a dark thread would muddy the color and a white thread might be too stark. It offers a soft, metallic neutrality that enhances the natural sparkle of your glass beads. Strong, rot-resistant, and incredibly smooth, the 276-SL ensures that your contemporary and traditional designs are built to last for generations.

• Material: 100% Bonded Nylon

• Size: Size B (Standard)

• Length: Approx. 55 Yards per spool

• Color: Silver (Miyuki Color Match)

• Quantity: 1 Spool

Every masterpiece requires a foundation as beautiful as the beads themselves. Our Miyuki Nylon Beading Thread in Gold (Size B) is the professional choice for working with warm-toned palettes, 24kt gold-lined beads, and brass accents. This high-quality nylon is specifically engineered in Japan to resist fraying and tangling, providing a smooth, consistent flow through even the finest needles.

The Summer Grass Gold hue is perfect for blending into the background of yellow, amber, and earth-toned beadwork, ensuring that your thread lines remain invisible and your patterns stay crisp. Strong enough for structural fringe but supple enough for delicate loom work, this thread mimics the durability of traditional sinew while offering the precision of modern fiber technology.

• Material: 100% Bonded Nylon

• Size: Size B (Standard)

• Length: Approx. 55 Yards per spool

• Color: Gold (Miyuki Color Match)

• Quantity: 1 Spool

The foundation of any great piece of beadwork is the strength of its spirit—and its thread. Our Miyuki Nylon Beading Thread in Black (Size B) is the professional’s choice for creating supple, durable regalia. Engineered in Japan, this thread is designed to be tangle-resistant and exceptionally strong, yet thin enough to pass through Size 11/0 and 15/0 seed beads multiple times without splitting.

The Raven Wing Black color is essential for deep-toned beadwork, hiding seamlessly behind darker glass or providing a sharp, defined outline for contrasting designs. Unlike traditional cotton, this nylon fiber won’t rot or stretch over time, ensuring that your heirlooms remain as tight and beautiful as the day they were finished. Whether you are stringing heavy bone tubes or executing fine needle-weaving, 276-BK provides the structural integrity your artistry deserves.

• Material: 100% Bonded Nylon

• Size: Size B (Standard)

• Length: Approx. 55 Yards per spool

• Color: Black

• Quantity: 1 Spool

When your design moves from the broad strokes of a background into the delicate veins of a petal or the tiny eye of a raven, the Size 13 John James Needle is your most trusted tool. Slightly thinner than the standard Size 12, the 13 is the 'sweet spot' for Alaskan artists who want to achieve high-detail work without the fragility of the ultra-thin Size 15.

Crafted in England from premium carbon steel, these needles are slender enough to pass through 11/0 beads multiple times for reinforcement and fit perfectly through 13/0 charlottes. They offer a refined flex that allows you to 'feel' your way through tight stitches on felt or hide. If you are moving into competitive-level beadwork or intricate floral miniatures, the Size 13 provides the precision needed to turn a good piece into a masterpiece."

• Brand: John James (English Made)

• Size: 13 (Fine)

• Type: Beading (Long)

• Quantity: 4 needles per pack

When you are working with heavy smoked moose hide, thick felt, or large-scale regalia, you need a needle that won't give up. The Size 10 John James Needle is the 'heavy lifter' of the Alaskan beading world. Thicker and sturdier than the standard Size 12, this needle is designed to push through tough materials without bending, making it the ideal choice for edge-beading, attaching heavy fringe, or working with larger 8/0 and 10/0 seed beads.

Manufactured in England from high-grade carbon steel, these needles provide the leverage needed for structural beadwork while maintaining the smooth, snag-free eye that John James is famous for. Whether you are building a new pair of winter mitts or reinforcing the weight-bearing seams of a dance parka, the Size 10 provides the strength and reliability required for the North's most demanding projects."

• Brand: John James (English Made)

• Size: 10 (Sturdy/Thick)

• Type: Beading (Long)

• Quantity: 4 needles per pack

When the design demands a level of detail that seems impossible, the Size 15 John James Needle is the tool that makes it happen. Known across the North as the 'Ghost Needle' for its incredibly thin profile, this is the finest beading needle produced. It is specifically designed to pass through 15/0 or 13/0 charlottes multiple times without cracking the delicate glass.

Made in England from high-quality carbon steel, these needles offer just enough flex to navigate tight corners in complex floral patterns while remaining strong enough for the dense hide-work required in traditional Alaskan regalia. For the master artist working on heirloom-quality miniatures, micro-beaded jewelry, or ultra-fine repairs, the Size 15 is an indispensable ally. It is the needle for those who stitch the stories that live in the smallest details."

• Brand: John James (English Made)

• Size: 15 (Ultra-Fine)

• Type: Beading (Long)

• Quantity: 4 needles per pack