Bead Embroidery - Tammy Honaman

You can be off and running with your own bead embroidery design in no time – these 3 stitches are a great place to start.

Beaded Backstitch This is a great stitch to use for “bezeling” your focal cabochon.

Step 1. Pass the needle up through the foundation/bead backing, string on two seed beads. Lay the beads along the edge of the cabochon then pass the needle back down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff right at the end of the last bead strung.

Step 2. Pass the needle back up from the underside of the beadwork where your first bead was strung.

Step 3. Pass your needle through the beads already strung, exiting the last bead.

Step 4. String on two new beads, lay them against the cabochon and tight up against the first two beads stitched into place. Pass the needle down through the foundation against the last bead just strung.

Step 5. Come back up between the 1st and 2nd beads originally strung, pass through the 2nd, 3rd and 4th beads again, and string on two more beads.

Step 6. Continue on in this manner until you have stitched a complete row around the cabochon. Adjust the amount of beads used in the last backstitch so the beads lie in a row; if you string too many they will "pop" up or out of the row.

Step 7. Building off the backstitch row, add a few rows of peyote stitch to form the “walls” of your bezel. Finish the bezel and cinch it in toward the cabochon but using a smaller size bead in your last peyote row(s).

Stop Stitch When adding beads in bead embroidery or other beaded designs, a "stop stitch" gives you lots of options. It is basically a bead held into place using needle and thread as well as a second bead.

Step 1. Work your needle into your beadwork and have it positioned so your needle is exiting the topside of your work. Pick up a large bead then add a smaller bead.

Step 2. Pass the needle back down the larger bead, bypassing the smaller bead. Continue into the beadwork or your beading foundation material so your thread doesn’t show.

Moss or Picot Stitch Add this fun stitch anywhere in your bead embroidery design. It’s a great filler, adds texture, and works up fast and easy.

Step 1. Pass the needle and thread up through the beading foundation. String on three seed beads.

Step 2. Pass the needle back down through the beading foundation allowing just enough space for first and third beads to sit side by side and the second bead to sit just above them.

Step 3. Repeat adding beads in clusters so they fill in the area you’re working in.

Finishing your design

Step 1. Once you’ve completed your design. Trim the backing as close to the beadwork as you can get without snipping a stitch.

Step 2. Apply a layer of adhesive and place onto your backing material (suede, Ultra suede, leather, etc). Allow the adhesive to cure.

Step 3. Trim so both layers are equal in size.

Step 4. Start a new thread, and tie an overhand knot at the end. Pass the needle through the beadwork near the edge and close to the suede. Pass the needle through the edge of the suede and then the edge of the beadwork. Pick up a size 11 seed bead then a size 15 seed bead. Pass the needle down through the size 11 seed bead then through the suede, joining both layers. Keep tension snug. Bring the needle back up through the same bead. The bead will stand up on the edge of the cuff.

Step 5. Pick up a new size 11 seed bead and size 15 seed bead then continue around the entire cuff in this manner, laying the bead in between the suede and the beadwork.

Step 6. When you've stitched on the last bead, meeting the first bead, pass the needle down through the first bead. Weave the needle through the beadwork and knot off in several places. Clip the thread.