How to Sew Beads on Fabric

This is a very simple way to make a single row of beads in a design or maybe around a collar or sleeve.
T-Shirts, blouses, purses and a lot more can be enhanced with beads. And it's great if you are allergic to costume jewelry. Just sew the beads onto your collar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• size 11 seed beads
• beading needles and thread.

1. This procedure is called the "couching" method in bead work. It is done by using two threaded needles.
   Knot your thread and insert the needle in the fabric from underneath , bring it to the top side of the fabric and string on the required length of beads.Lay the beads down on the fabric and insert the needle in the spot where you want the bead strand to end.

2. Bring the second threaded needle up to the top side , take the thread over a thread in the bead strand and push the needle back down into the fabric on the opposite side of the bead strand.
   Do this for the entire length of the beads, making a stitch about 3 beads.

3. Make sure the thread is 4"-5" longer than the length of beads you want to put on.
   Bring the thread up through the fabric and then string on the beads.
   If you want to cover a larger area completely, you should make several short parallel rows and use the couching stitch to secure them.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are adding beads to collars or sleeves, measure the length around them and cut your thread 4"-5" longer.
• This works great in doing flower designs. Then fill in the flower with the short parallel lines of beads.