How to Bead on Embroidery

Add beads to any embroidery project to give it sparkle.

Add sparkle and dimension to your embroidery projects by including beads in your design. By matching the color of the beads to the thread color you are using, you can easily incorporate beads as you work your cross-stitch, back stitch or any other small stitch in your pattern.

Things You'll Need

• Beads
• Embroidery project
• Thread
• Needle
• Small storage cups with lids
• Pen or marker

Instructions

1. 

   Match your beads to the thread colors.

   Divide the beads by color and place them into storage cups. Write on the lids of the cups the number of the DMC floss that each bead matches. This helps you locate the beads you need for each color of thread in your design.

2. Thread your needle with the embroidery thread. The number of strands of thread you need depends on the instructions for your pattern. Pass your needle through the material at your starting place, keeping a 2-inch tail loose. Begin your embroidery until you reach a point you wish to add a bead.

3. Pass your needle through the material so it rests on the top of the pattern. Place a bead on your needle. Gently push the bead onto the thread strands until it is nestled against the material.

4. Bring the needle back down through the material, according to the stitch you are working. For example, if you are doing a cross-stitch, the first half of the stitch should be done first, then add the bead on the second half of the stitch, so it rests on top in the center of the X.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have completed your embroidery and have added all of your bead embellishments. Iron the project upside down on a towel and frame it if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice adding beads to your stitches before beginning the actual project. This will give you a feel for working with the beads.

• Use an embroidery hoop only for the beginning part of your project. Once beads have been added to the fabric, it will be impossible to use the hoop.

References

• Bead Wrangler: Making Embroidery Samples

Resources

• Bead Age: Bead Embroidery