Beaded embroidery techniques are used to make beautiful hand embroidery designs using beads of different sizes and colors. There are however, certain differences between the modern and ancient beaded embroidery techniques pertaining to stitches. The ancient beaded embroidery technique used to string beads- as many as possible- in thread and then laid it on the fabric by couching into place with a second needle and thread. In modern bead embroidery technique, not more than 2 to 8 beads (standard being 6 beads) are threaded at a single go.

Modern Bead Embroidery Stitching Technique

While doing beaded embroidery, most of the modern beaders use generally six beads at a time and they start from the center of the embroidery design and work outwards in small sections. A little bit of space is left after six beads before the needle is plunged back to the underside of the fabric. After the first six beads are sewn into the fabric, the second needle and second thread is taken to couch over the first beading thread- going between the beads. The couching thread is then pulled until a click sound is heard as the thread snaps between the beads. Now the couching thread is put aside and the stitching thread is taken. The beader comes up in the fabric between beads 3 and 4 and then re-enters beads 4, 5, and 6. Care is taken to go over the couching thread. Six more beads are added, plunged, couched and the process is repeated till the design gets over.

Basic Beaded Embroidery Stitches

Here is the guide for basic bead embroidery stitches commonly used by the beaders.

Backstitch

The backstitch is one of the most widely used stitches in all hand embroidery designs. For doing backstitch, bring the needle up at 1, down at 2 and up at 3. Keep the stitches of same length. To start the next stitch insert the needle at 1 again and repeat along your line keeping the stitches as even as possible.

Chain Stitch

For doing chain stitch, work from top to bottom. Bring your needle up at 'a' and insert in same place, loop thread beneath needle. Bring the needle up at 'b', a little distance below 'a'. Now insert the needle at the same place as 'b' and bring the thread beneath the needle just like you did before and bring it out at 'c'. Repeat as much as essential and keep all the stitches of equal size. Fasten with a small stitch to finish it off.

Couching

Couching is very important in bead embroidery. It lays down thicker threads onto the fabric and secure them down with a second, thiner thread. This way, the beads get stability. To do couching, you have to work from left to right. Lay the thick thread down and bring the needle up close to thread. Insert needle at 'b' to hold thick thread in place. Keep making small vertical stitches along thicker thread until it is held in place.