How to Sew Beads on an Embroidery Design
Beads add an extra dimension or texture to embroidery. The most commonly used for subtle embellishments are Size 11 glass seed beads. In contrast, a bombastically embellished crazy quilt will feature many kinds of embroidery and beads used separately and together.
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Things You'll Need
- Beads
- Nymo thread
- Beading needle (for rows of beads)
- "Sharp" needle (for single beads)
- Embroidered design (finished or in progress)
- Scissors
Instructions
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Embellishing with Single Beads
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Thread the "sharp" needle with Nymo thread. (Nymo is made especially for beading and is very strong.) Knot one end of the thread.
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2
Bring the needle up through the fabric at the end of an embroidered stitch that will be embellished. Pick up a bead with the needle and go back through the fabric using the same hole.
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3
Tie a knot on the wrong side every two or three beads to keep them secure if the thread breaks elsewhere in the design.
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4
Use this method to decorate herringbone, feather, blanket, lazy daisy and other stitches when embroidering with thread or silk ribbon. Single beads can also be used as a substitute for French knots.
Embellishing with Lines of Beads
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5
Pull the beading needle up through the fabric and put enough beads on the needle to cover the line (an outline or flower stem). Let the beads fall down onto the thread.
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Lay the bead line down on the fabric and push the needle through the fabric at the end.
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7
Come back up through the fabric every third bead and sew a tiny stitch over the original thread holding the beads to keep it down. (This is known as couching.)
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Tips & Warnings
Use the right size needle for the beads. For Size 11 beads, use a Size 12 needle so that it will easily go through the bead's hole.
Use beads in conjunction with buttons, sequins or other size beads for an original look.
Spread small beads in a small dish to see them better and make them easier to harpoon with the needle.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit scarecrow image by Irina Kodentseva from Fotolia.com
