Basic Bead Embroidery Tips

If you are new to bead embroidery here are a few tips to help you get good results. 

• Make sure to use a beading needle not a sewing needle when you work as sewing needles tend to be too large to fit though smaller beads.

• Use a thread colour that matches your background material colour, not your bead colour.

• Always double up your thread for added security.

• If your backing material is fairly flimsy use an embroidery hoop to keep it level as you work otherwise your beads may end up bunched up or too spaced out.

• If you have trouble keeping your thread tension at a correct level an embroidery hoop will also help if you tend to pull your thread too tight.

• Make sure to always insert your needle into the backing fabric on a straight up-down axis, having your needle at an angle when you go through the fabric will result in uneven beading.

• Have a basic design prepared before you begin working. Think about the background material colouring in relation to your beads. Use colours that compliment each other, especially if your design has intentionally unbeaded areas.