How to Sew Beads on Card Stock

Bead embroidery can be used to sew beads on card stock. The finished projects can be used in jewelry like pendants and brooches, wall art, bookmarks, handmade greeting cards and other accessories. Seed beads are the most common type of bead used, but any other type of bead can be included in the project.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Beads
• Card stock
• Cewing or lightweight Nymo thread
• #12 beading tapestry point needle
• Felt

1. Cut the card stock to the desired size. Sketch the design for your beads on the card stock. You can create a freehand design or create a template by copying a pattern from a book or other source. Transfer the design to the card with tracing paper.

2. Poke holes in the card with a piercing tool or needle to make sewing easier.

3. Sew on large accent beads first. Draw a threaded embroidery needle through the bottom of the cardstock, through the bead, and back through the cardstock. Be sure your stitches aren't too tight or close.

4. Use two stitches for large, heavy beads, or add some smaller beads to anchor them in place. Lay bugle beads flat and sew through the length of the bead.

5. Fill in the background by couching seed beads. Insert the thread through several beads at once. Sew through the card. From below, run stitches through every third bead to anchor them. Sew one or two beads at a time along tight curves. Rub a thread backwards through curves to tighten them.

6. Attach felt backing to the back of the card.