Lately, we’ve been fiddling about with adding beads to embroidery stitches as part of the Stitch Fun! series.
Since it’s Monday morning – and Monday’s are as good a time as any to think about organization – I thought I’d do a little house cleaning on the website and create an index for all the tutorials and articles relating to embroidery with beads here on Needle ‘n Thread.
That way, if you have a favorite tutorial you’re looking for, you can find it on this list. You can also bookmark the list so you can access it easily whenever you want. I’ll updated it whenever we add a new tutorial or article of interest.
You’ll find the list nestled under Stitch Fun!, which can be found under Tips & Techniques in the main menu across the top of the website.
Incidentally, you’ll be happy to know (maybe?) that there’s a new website overhaul going on right in the background, and the new site will feature visual indexes. I’m very excited about that!
Adding Beads to Embroidery – Article List
The following list links to tutorials, articles, tips, organizational ideas, and information on Needle ‘n Thread about embroidery with beads. Whenever a new article is added to the website, it will be listed here, with the most recent article at the top of the list.
Fully Beaded Drizzle Stitch Tutorial
Beaded Cast-on Stitch Tutorial
How to Make Your Own Portable Bead Tray
Organizing Beads for Embroidery
Easy Alternating Beaded Chain Stitch – Tutorial
Beaded Chain Stitch Blossoms – Tutorial
Adding Beads to Embroidery Stitches (general tips)
Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging – version 2
Scalloped Beaded Buttonhole Edging – version 1
Beaded Drizzle Stitch – Tutorial
Beaded Palestrina Stitch – Tutorial
Tiny Beads for Miniature Embroidery (a look at some tiny antique beads)
Bead Embroidery Books
Here are some book reviews I’ve written for books on embroidery with beads:
Bead Embroidery: RSN Essential Stitch Guide
Bead Embroidery Stitch Samples & Motifs (2 books)
Your Input?
Are you trying to figure out how to add a bead to a specific embroidery stitch? Do you have any suggestions for tutorials or topics relating to embroidery with beads, that you’d like to see addressed? Feel free to leave a comment below with your input!
Like what you see?
If you enjoyed this article and you’re looking for more inspiration, information, and instruction on hand embroidery, why not sign up for my daily newsletter?
There are all kinds of reasons to have Needle ’n Thread delivered to your inbox – check them out and sign up today!
oh, what a handy page you put together, Mary! thank you!
I use beads to a minimum extent and it’s such a shame, they do look wonderful on the right project, in the right spot. I’ll definitely bookmark this page and get back to it (as well as adding one of your shots to my Pinterest board “Tips from the Oracle” :D).
very happy stitching!
Thanks, Chiara! I’m glad you like it!
I love this. I’ve used beads in embroidery. The information you have here is just the best! I made up my own design using embroidery and beads to make my Sis-in-law and her hubby a wall hanging for their anniversary. Sorry no pictures.
His name
And
Hers name
Wedding date
I had some beads on the words and had a border of beads around the whole thing. I then added some batting and fabric with their household colors to it. I then quilted it. It turned out pretty good.
Sounds lovely, Deborah! What a great idea for a gift!
Dear Mary
What a great idea to list all the bead embroidery articles in one place this is very convenient. Thanks for the taking the time and organising the reference bead embroidery in one place, I can’t wait to play around with the new website with the new featured visual indexesI bet you are excited as I am. Thanks for sharing the news of the indexed bead embroidery and for letting us know of the new website.
Regards Anita Simmance
Hi, Anita – thanks so much! I’m glad you like the index. Yes, I am excited for the new design. It won’t roll out for several months yet, but I’m really looking forward to it when it does!
Incidentally, my two nieces are visiting the UK right now, walking the Cotswolds, and they’ve been sending over pictures of their journey each day. Absolutely beautiful! Every time I see their new batch of photos, I think of all my stitching friends in the UK!
Dear Mary]
Thanks for your reply, the new design gives me something to look forward to. The Cotswolds is a beautiful place and a lovely place for walking and the lovely scenery, I really hope they enjoy themselves. Yes it’s nice to have friends across the globe. xxx
Regards Anita Simmance
Mary,
I have been watching so many of your videos recently. I am preparing to do a project, and your videos are a huge help in deciding what I want to do.
My main question at this point is just curiosity. I believe it was the stem stitch video I was watching as you stitched around a rectangle. You never turned your stitching, and I am wondering if there is a reason.
Thank you.
Jeannie
Hi, Jeannie – in the videos, because of the set up of having a camera hanging right over the work, I work on a large stationary frame. So I’m not working on a hand-held hoop, but a very large frame that doesn’t move.
Mary,
Can we talk about Bead Sizes, kind of Bead best to use. It is all confusing as
to what to use, where to get, etc… Is there a good source for information?
I love your website and I look forward every day to hearing from you. Thanks so much for your expert advice.
Terry
I’ve gotten the catalog for fire mountain gems and beads before, it’s free and most things are shown in the actual size. I always seem to run out of time for actually doing anything with it though other than looking at all the pretty bling and dreaming for an extra few hours in my day to play with such things lol
Do you have any knowledge about Sashiko?
Not a lot! I worked a small pattern sampler a couple years ago – it was all just basic running stitches. But I never went any further with it! :-/ I need about 12 more hours in every day, to do all the things I want to try!
I love it when others do the hunting for me! I didn’t find you until March of this year so I had missed the scalloped bead edging. Your email is always a must read. A fresh perspective for me to enjoy. I’ve done bead embroidery but mostly as jewelry using beads and Fireline. I’m thinking threads could really add new dimensions of color and texture. Thanks for linking articles.
Hello Mary, thanks for all the well explained tutorials you have on youtube, you have helped me a lot. I’m starting to self teach me how to embroidery and this page and the videos have been the sites that I’ve found the most useful. I’ve just finished a Jacobean leaf, can I send a picture to you so you can see the result?
thanks for all!
Greetings from Argentina.
Hi, Fernanda – You’re welcome to send a photo, would love to see it! mary(at)needlenthread(dot)com is the email address.
Gosh Mary you are so good to us!
Thank you so much for your website it is such a help and support for us strugglers! Here in England needlework has stopped being taught in schools and with the demise of sewing shops, libraries and the older more experienced stitcher(!) I fear for the next generation but with a comprehensive website like yours it’s a great help…..Many thanks from over the sea!…Sue
Thanks Mary! You’re as thoughtful and helpful as ever! I love beads and so having it all pulled together is great. Can’t wait to see your new page format, it sounds very helpful, easy, and beautiful too.
Mary, I hope your nieces have good waterproofs with them! As I look out of the window now, it’s pouring. But, as you say, it’s a beautiful area, and a hot shower and glass of something reviving is a good weather fix! Hope they enjoy their visit ( and I believe there are some good needlework shops around there)!
They managed to pack for 17 days in small backpacks, so I don’t even think they took anything heavier than a light rain jacket. Up until now, they’ve had nice weather – haven’t had today’s report yet. They had some bad luck the first couple days (my niece stepped on a nail, was quite sick the first two days, but she’s mended and trudging along…) Unbelievably beautiful photos so far!
You may want to look at Nancy Eha’s bead embroidery books too.
The Clover bead embroidery tool is basically a tiny latchhook, and several reviewers have said that it breaks easily. I like the Lacis tambour beading tool. You get a variety of sizes in their kit, but the technique can be hard to learn with much coordination involved. I’ve experimented with several methods and think it can go pretty fast once you find a method that’s comfortable.
Must tell you the bead storage trays you told us about in an earlier blog are TERRIFIC! I got one with 82 little boxes. Liked it so well I ordered the with different size boxes. They are perfect. You can see what is in each box and pull just what you need. I would recommend these storage trays to anyone.
Hello Mary. I ordered the two books to my inventory of embroidery and beading. I embroider every day, have hundreds of beads, sometime adding beads to my work. This gives my work a little bling when light shines on them. Be sure to iron your work on a towel, not to scratch iron and beads.
I can hardly wait for the visual indexes! It will make finding things so much fun!
Hello Mary. Purchased your recommendation books: bead embroidery and Samples and motifs from Amazon, will be here Thursday 8:00PM UPS, Going to make fresh pot of coffee, settle down and enjoy reading these supper books. Thank you for your insight on letting the www know of these great instructions and color pictures. Pat
Hi, Anita – thanks so much
Thank you so much for your website it is such a help and support for us strugglers!
I am bookmarking your blog right away. An amazing collection of embroidery tuts. My hands are twitching to get going lol.
I love this website. Thank you so much
Hello – Do you have some info to offer on choosing beads for embroidery? Quality? Thank you
I generally only use two brands. My first choice is usually Myuki and I also like TOHO. They are both good quality and consistent.