How to Create Beading Patterns
Creating your own bead pattern is accomplished with just a few items. If you have a picture you want to convert to a beading pattern, use one with the areas of color and shape clearly defined. Before you begin to draw your pattern image, decide what size beads, style of beading and colors you plan to use for your project.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Transfer or copy the beaded pattern you plan to use onto graph paper. This is easy to do if pattern comes from a beaded design found in a book, magazine or online.
-
2
Count the number of beads used to make the width and the number of bead rows the piece will have. Draw a line to outline the rows and beads on the graph paper.
-
-
3
Transfer the design to your graph paper with a colored pencil. Count the number of beads of that color and fill in the corresponding boxes on your graph paper.
-
4
Change the pattern if you want by erasing the lines to modify the original pattern. Use the same colors or select different colors.
-
5
Place translucent graph paper over the picture you want to copy. Using colored pencils, outline the picture onto your graph with the corresponding color. Use this step if you have a non-beaded picture you want to bead.
-
6
Fill in the boxes on your graph paper with the color used to outline it. If two colors happen to fall within one box, then choose the color to fill the space that will keep your picture looking as accurate as possible.
-
7
Install a beading program onto your computer if you cannot draw or prefer to let a computer program do the work for you. Some programs will convert the image into a bead pattern with a click of the button.
-
8
Scan the image into your computer, or use one that has been provided your computer program. The computer software will print a beading pattern.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Other sources of creating beading patterns can be found in cross-stitch books, bargello pattern books, and hooked rug books. All of these sources provide ready to follow designs.
When tracing over a pattern, do not use an original photograph. The colored pencils will mar or ruin your picture. Always make a copy of the photograph.
Depending on the type of pattern, you can choose between square or loom work, peyote, 2-drop peyote stitch, right angle weave (1-by-1 or 3-by-3) and the brick stitch pattern.
