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Bead Embroidery

Bead Embroidery is the process of sewing beads onto a bead card to create unique pictures for brooches, accessories, and wall art.  Just about any kind of bead can be sewn on, but seed beads are the most common kind.  They define the elements and shape of your pattern, and are used to fill background around larger beads.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  • Glass beads, seed beads, pearls, bugle beads, metal beads, stone chips, etc.
  • Bead Card (card stock found at office supply store)
  • Thread - ordinary sewing thread or lightweight Nymo
  • Needle - #12 beading tapestry point needle
  • Felt for lining

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • DESIGN - Begin by sketching your design in pencil onto the bead card, or do an abstract freestyle.  You will fill in your design with beads.
  • BEAD EMBROIDERY - Now you are ready to begin filling in your pattern by sewing beads onto your project surface, following the flow of the lines in your pattern.  Beads may be attached in a wide variety of ways.  The most common method is to attach the accent beads first, then "couch" strings of seed beads to fill the background.
  • ACCENT BEADS - Begin by attaching the accent beads first.  Large accent beads can be anchored in place with smaller beads such as seed beads, or reinforced by making a second pass of thread to anchor them.  Bugle beads should be placed flat against surface and sewn through their length.  Use a doubled thread when possible to prevent fraying, as bugle beads have sharp edges.
  • COUCHING - "Couching" is a good method for large spaces and rows, but unsuitable for curved design elements (see below).  Up to twelve beads are applied at once, and then anchored from below at intervals of three.
  • CURVES - Where curves are very tight, sew beads on singly or in pairs.  Where the curve is looser, you may sew on three beads.  All curves should be stabilized with a backtracking thread.  Simply run a continuous thread through the entire line, and gently tighten the thread.
  • BACKING:  Excess bead card can be trimmed away to create a shaped piece of beadwork if desired.  Self-adhesive felt backing can then be attached to back of beadwork. 

TIPS:

When properly spaced, seed beads should just fill the area in which they're being sewn.  When seated correctly, rows of beads will not buckle, nor will they show gaps.