Directions for Beaded Bags

Use beads to decorate a homemade bag.

Beaded bags are decorative accessories that you can make to use as a tote or a purse. If you can work a running stitch and sew a seam, you can turn a bit of scrap fabric into a beaded bag. Glass, wood, acrylic, shell and ceramic beads are suitable for this project. Mix and match the sizes and colors to suit the outline of your design and on the fabric selection. Small beads from seed to 4 mm work best on lightweight fabrics; heavier fabrics can handle the combined weight of larger beads.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Washable fabric marker
• Bead design template
• Beading needle
• Beading thread
• Beads
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Cord

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a section of fabric twice as wide as the desired width of the beaded bag, plus 1 inch.

2. Measure and cut the cut section of fabric equal to the desired height of the beaded bag, plus 2 inches.

3. Place the fabric face down. Mark a dotted line along both sides of the width of the fabric, 1/2 inch from the edge. Mark a dotted line along both sides of the length of the fabric, 1 inch from the edge. These are your seam lines for the bag and should not be beaded.

4. Place the fabric face up. Trace the bead design from the template onto the fabric with a washable fabric marker. Make sure that the beaded design does not go over the seam lines on the back of the fabric.

5. Thread a beading needle with beading thread. Double the thread and tie a knot at the end. Insert the needle through the fabric along one section of the design outline from back to front.

6. Pick up a bead. Hold the bead flat against the fabric. Insert the needle back down into the fabric at the edge of the bead. Pull the thread taut.

7. Insert the needle back up through the fabric beside the last downward stitch. Continue to add beads until the outline is completely beaded.

8. Fold the top edges of the fabric back to back at the dotted line and pin. Iron the seam to create a crease. Stitch along the pins, removing the pins as you sew.

9. Fold the fabric face to face. Insert straight pins along the dotted lines on the bottom and the sides of the fabric. Stitch the seams together; remove the pins as you go.

10. Iron the seams open. Flip the bag inside out. Stitch lengths of cord to the top seam to make a strap for the beaded bag.

References

• Coats and Clark: Tips for Adding Beads

Resources

• How to Make Jewelry: How to Make an Overhand Knot