Sequins Explained: Hand Sewn Versus Machine
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Sequin work varies enormously in both appearance and durability depending on whether it has been applied by hand or by machine, a distinction that is not always obvious at first glance but becomes clear once you examine the piece closely or wear it for a full day.
Hand sewn sequins are typically secured with individual stitches, which makes the work considerably more time consuming to produce but also generally more secure and durable over repeated wear, since a single loose thread affects only one sequin rather than an entire connected row at once, which is why it is worth building into the process from the very start.
Machine applied sequins, often sewn in a continuous connected strip, are faster and more affordable to produce but can shed more readily if a single point in the strip comes loose. Checking how sequins are secured helps set realistic expectations for how a garment will hold up.