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types of beads |
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Seed - small round bead with hole in the center
Bugle - a small tube which comes in different lengths
Roundel - a flat round bead with hole in the center
Drops - a pear-shaped bead. The hole may be through the bead or at one end. |
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basic stitches |
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Running Stitch
This is a stitch with a bead in it. Cut a length of thread no longer than 15”. Knot one end of the thread. Bring needle up through the fabric to the right side and thread a bead onto the needle. Bring the needle back through the fabric to the wrong side right next to the bead. Continue sewing beads using this running stitch. On straight lines, depending on the size of the bead, several beads can be threaded on the needle and sewn on in a single stitch. Every 3 or 4 beads, take a back stitch to secure.
Stop Stitch
This is for attaching two beads-usually a large and a small bead. Bring needle up through the fabric to the right side and thread first the larger then the smaller bead onto the needle. The small bead is the “stop”. Bring the needle back through the first larger bead to the wrong side of the fabric.
Fence Stitch
Bring needle up through the fabric to the right side and thread a bugle bead, a seed bead and another bugle bead onto the needle. Take a short stitch so that the bugle beads stand up creating a “fence”.
Loop Stitch
Create a dramatic edging with this stitch. Bring needle up through the fabric to the right side and thread several (8 to 10 depending on the size). Use the last 6 or 7 beads as the “stop”. Bring the needle down through the first couple of beads and to the wrong side of the fabric.
Vermicelli Stitch
This is the basic running stitch, but each stitch is taken in a different direction. It can be a pattern such as a zig zag or completely random. |
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tips |
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Stitches should be secure but not pulled overly tight or left too loose. Maintain an even tension.
Placing project in an embroidery hoop helps you keep the tension (how tight you pull the stitches) more even preventing puckering or wavy work.
Mark placement of design with chalk pencil or a water soluble marker.
Take a backstitch every one or two inches to secure. When you do this if any thing happens to break a bead or the thread, only a few stitches between the backstitches will come out, rather that the entire line of beads. |
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project ideas |
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BEADED BORDERS
Beading is hot as an embellishment in many different crafts. Coats Beading Thread, (Art D35) is the perfect thread for hand sewing beads to quilts, adding a special touch to home décor projects or embellishing a denim skirt.
Here are some simple border patterns and edgings. Add them to a pocket, the neck of a sweater or the hem of a scarf. For a stitch reference, see beading how-to’s above.
Supplies:
Coats Beading Thread (Art D35)
Susan Bates Deluxe Embroidery Hoop
Beading needle or hand sewing needle
Beads
Skirt
Attach two seed beads with a running stitch. Attach a small seed bead and a slightly larger seed bead with a stop stitch.
Fence
Alternating between larger and smaller beads, attach to hem line using Fence Stitch.
Dangle Loops
Use a loop stitch.
First loop: One large round bead, 9 seed beads form loop or “stop”.
Second loop: One bugle bead, 9 seed beads form loop or "stop”.
Zig Zag Vermicelli
Thread three seed beads on needle and take running stitch. Thread a bugle bead on needle and take a running stitch at angle to form zig zag.
Parallel Plus
This combines decorative stitching using Coats Metallic Embroidery thread and beads. Use a running stitch to attach beads in an alternating pattern between stitching. |
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