There are three main techniques for embroidering with beads: linear, free-form and circular. Each of them has its own set of stitches that are suitable for different types of patterns. In this article, we will guide you through the most popular stitches used in bead embroidery that are easy to make and perfect for everyone, whether you are an experienced embroiderer or a beginner. With this knowledge, you will be well on your way to creating beautiful and unique bead embroidery projects.

Linear embroidery technique

Linear technique is a popular bead embroidery method often used for patterns marked with straight rows of circular cells. Each cell on the pattern represents a small bead of a certain color. To execute this technique, beginners often turn to the “Monastic” or Vertical stitches as they are simple and easy to work with. So let’s dive deeper into the linear technique and explore how to create stunning beadwork using these basic stitches.

“Monastic” stitch (half-cross stitch)

The “Monastic” stitch, also known as the half-cross stitch, is probably the most important and most used stitch in bead embroidery. With this stitch, you will get diagonal stitches with the beads on the front side of the fabric, and vertical stitches on the back side. Here’s a step-by-step guide for this technique:

1. Start by threading your needle with a suitable length of thread and and secure it with a knot or a couple of back stitches on the back side of the fabric.

   

2. My personal preference is starting embroidering in vertical rows on the short side of the pattern. To embroider your first row locate the top left cell of the shorter edge of your pattern and bring your needle up from the back of the fabric at the top left point of the cell.

   

3. Add one bead of the color corresponding to the cell marked on the pattern and make a diagonal stitch inserting your needle into the bottom right corner of the first cell. With the same stitch bring your needle back up in the bottom left corner of the first cell which now will be the top left corner of the second cell moving down the vertical row.

   

4. Add the second bead and repeat the same stitch diagonally by inserting your needle into the bottom right corner of the second cell and bringing it up in the bottom left corner.
5. Repeat this process until you have completed the whole vertical row of beads using the same thread and only changing the colors of the beads according to the printed pattern. As a result you will get a beautiful row of beads sewn diagonally in the same direction. To make the embroidery more secure, the first and last bead of each row is being sewn twice.

   

6. After completing the first row, you can move on to the second row by turning the pattern upside down. This will allow you to continue embroidering towards yourself, beginning from the top row as we did before, and the process is carried out in the same order as the first row. To move to the beginning of the second row finish your last stitch of the first row by passing the needle with the thread from the back of the fabric to the front with a horisontal stitch to the left.

   

7. If there is a need to move the beginning of the row up or down, the needle is being pierced diagonally to the top left corner of the first cell of the second row. Repeat Steps 3-5 to complete the second row. When you get close to the end of your thread secure the last bead by passing the thread through it for the second time, make a couple of small back stitches at the back of the fabric always under the beads previously sewn so it is not visible at the front and cut off any excess thread.

   

   

It is important to adjust the thread in the embroidery process to avoid the flaccidity of the beads. When reaching the part of the pattern that does not require embroidery and has a distance of 3 cells or more, do not pass the thread through the back of the fabric as this can cause sagging and affect the quality and appearance of the finished embroidery. Instead, embroider on one side of the pattern, fix and cut the thread and start embroidering from securing the thread on the other side of the gap.

Vertical stitch

The vertical stitch is used to create straight horizontal rows of beads. This technique is often used in partial bead embroidery patterns where individual horizontal rows are not connected to each other. In this technique, the stitches at the back of the fabric result to be vertical instead of horizontal, and the direction of the embroidery is horizontally to the right instead of embroidering vertical rows towards yourself.

Although all this might sound confusing follow our step-by-step guide on how to execute the vertical stitch and you will see how easy it actually is:

1. Start by locating the top left cell of the shorter edge of your pattern. Bring your needle up from the back of the fabric at the top left point of the cell. Add a bead and make a diagonal stitch inserting your needle into the bottom right corner of the first cell. With the same stitch, bring your needle up to the top right corner of the first cell which now will be the top left corner of the second cell moving to the right horizontally.
2. Thread another bead and make exactly the same diagonal stitch by inserting the needle into the lower right corner of the second cell. On the back side of the pattern, pass the thread to the top right corner of the second cell and repeat these steps until you reach the end of the row.
3. Once you have reached the end of the row, turn your pattern upside down and finish your last stitch by passing your thread to the next individual row to continue embroidering horisontally to the right from the top left point of the first cell of the row. Repeat the same steps as in step 1 and step 2 until you finish the row.

Free-form embroidery technique

Free-form embroidery, also known as free-style embroidery, is a popular style that allows the artist to create unique and expressive pieces of embroidery either without the use of a specific pattern or working on printed patterns marked with curved rows of oval cells. Read on to explore the three most popular free-form embroidery techniques: back stitch, stem stitch, and loop stitch.

Back stitch

Back stitch is one of the most basic embroidery stitches, but it can also be one of the most versatile. Typically used to produce a three-dimensional effect by adding singular beads randomly placed on the pattern. It is also a perfect stitch if you need to create a continuous curved lines of beads, making it perfect for creating outlines or filling in small areas.

To make a back stitch, follow these steps:

1. To start, it is important to fix your thread at the back side of the pattern making sure it is not visible at the front. You can do this by making a knot or a couple of tiny stitches on the same spot.
2. Once your thread is secured, bring your needle up through the fabric between the first and second cells of the row.
3. String one bead and perform a “back stitch” by inserting the needle back into the fabric at the start of the row before the first cell.
4. Bringing the needle back up between the second and third cells and add another bead.
5. Continue to stitch in this manner until you reach the end of the row, making sure each stitch carries only one bead at a time.

Don’t forget to keep the tension of the thread consistent throughout the stitching process to ensure that the beads sit evenly and tightly against the fabric.

Stem stitch

Stem stitch, also known as double-stitch, is a highly durable stitch used in bead embroidery. The secret behind its strength is that each bead is being sewn twice, creating a secure hold. 

1. Start as always by securing your thread at the back side of the fabric. Next, bring the needle up at the beginning of the row, add one bead, and make a forward stitch by inserting the needle in front of the bead between the first and second cells of the row.
2. After adding the first bead, make a back stitch at the back of the fabric by bringing the needle up before the bead. Pass the thread through the same bead once again and then thread a new bead. This completes the first double stitch, which is the key to the strength of this stitch.
3. To continue, insert the needle in front of the last bead added, between the second and third cells of the pattern. Make a back stitch at the back of the fabric by bringing the needle up between the first and second beads. Pass the thread through the second bead and repeat these steps with all the following beads until you reach the end of the row.

By sewing each bead twice, the stem stitch creates a secure and durable hold, making it ideal for bead embroidery projects that require longevity. This stitch also adds depth and texture to your embroidery, creating a beautiful and professional finish.

Loop stitch

Loop stitch is a versatile technique used in bead embroidery to achieve a more subtle and gentle effect on the overall design. Unlike some of the other stitches, Loop stitch is all about creating soft, smooth lines in your embroidery work. This technique is similar to stem stitch, as both use a combination of forward and back stitches, but it differs in the way that it handles the beads. In Loop stitch, you thread 2 or more beads at the same time, and then only sew one of those beads to the fabric. Here are the steps to carry out this stitch:

1. Start by securing the thread on the back side of the fabric and bringing the needle to the front at the beginning of the row. Thread between two to four beads, depending on what is necessary for your pattern.
2. Lay the beads in one line on the fabric and pierce the needle right after the last bead attached. Make a small back stitch on the back side of the fabric and bring the needle back up to the front between the last and second-to-last beads.
3. Pass the thread through the last bead once again and add an extra two to four beads. Out of all these beads, only the last one will be sewn to the fabric. Continue this process until the end of the row.
4. If you need to make the stitch more firm, instead of going back one bead, you can also go back two and pass through them once again.

It’s important to note that Loop stitch is best used when you want a softer, more subtle effect in your bead embroidery. This technique is ideal for creating curving or swirling lines, or even for filling in areas with a more organic shape. However, if you need a stronger stitch, then Loop stitch might not be the best choice for your project. In these cases, it’s best to opt for a stronger technique like stem stitch or back stitch.

Circular embroidery technique

Circular embroidery is a unique and exciting type of beadwork that has gained popularity in recent years. The embroidery is created in a spiral, with the diameter gradually increasing as the pattern progresses. This creates a beautiful and intricate effect that is sure to capture attention.

One of the key factors that made circular embroidery possible was the production of high-quality disigns of patterns printed on the fabric. This provided a clear and easy-to-follow guide for the beading process.

Back stitch, stem stitch and loop embroidery stitches are particularly well-suited for circular embroidery. All these stitches can be used to create smooth, consistent lines that flow seamlessly around the spiral.

However, as the spiral expands this is where the loom stitch with two or more beads becomes particularly useful. Loom stitch is especially effective when transitioning from the spiral to semi-flexed rows around the middle circle. By providing stability and strength to the bent rows, this stitch helps to create a neat and professional finish.

Overall, circular embroidery is a fun and creative way to experiment with beadwork. With the right materials and techniques, it is possible to create stunning and unique designs that are sure to impress.

In conclusion, mastering the main techniques of bead embroidery is a great achievement for beginners. With the knowledge of linear, free-form and circular embroidery techniques, and the different stitches we have learned today, you can now apply these skills to create beautiful and complex beadwork designs. Of course, if you have any questions or doubts, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and we will do our best to help you. Don’t forget that you can find a variety of bead embroidery kits in our online store, “BeadEmbroideryArt“, with different themes, sizes, and price ranges to suit all tastes. Our kits include everything you need to start embroidering straight away so you don’t need to worry about purchasing any additionnal supplies and can start practicing the stitches learned. We hope that this article has inspired you and wish you every success in your future bead embroidery projects!

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The post How to Embroider with Beads – 3 Main Techniques and Stitches first appeared on Bead Embroidery Art.

Embroidery Scissors and Thread Cutters

Even the most experienced embroidery experts sometimes make stitching mistakes. In order to carefully fix them, it is very important to have high-quality professional tools such as scissors, thread cutters or seam rippers, which have the following qualities: 

• First of all, quality. The blades have to be made of the highest quality stainless steel, so that the tool lasts longer, does not twist, does not break and, most importantly, does not dull during use.
• Secondly, ergonomics. The scissors should feel comfortable in your hand, be easy to handle, and ideally of a light weight. The thread cutter or the seam ripper has to be maneuverable and easy to use, without the risk of cutting the wrong stitch.
• Thirdly, security. Tools must be made so that the chance of accidental injury from them is minimal. They can’t have protruding edges and pointed ends, all metal edges must be perfectly finished. 
• Fourth, storage convenience. It is good if your scissors, thread cutters and seam rippers have special covers for easy storage and transportation.

Varieties of Thread Cutting Tools

While you need to have larger scissors to cut your fabric down to size, you will additionally need smaller scissors that are incredibly sharp and pointed so that you can easily slide the tip of the scissors underneath your threads and clip them. But although your sharp pair of scissors will help, a simple seam ripper will offer you a more precise way to target individual threads because of its long pointed tip. It is always best to try different options to see what type of cutting tools are best suited for your work. 

In bead embroidery, as in any other craft, we often have to cut the thread ends, and occasionally, snip out a mistake stitch or two. For these purposes, you can use regular scissors, but it is handy to have a pair of special embroidery scissors, called “storks”. These scissors got their name from their long, thin straight blades that make them look like storks. Apart from being functional, they also have a very original design as they are often made of golden materials and some models can even be decorated with gemstones. These embroidery scissors could make a great gift for someone passionate about embroidery.

Beading Threads

Beading thread is what you will use to stitch your beads to the embroidery foundation. The quality of the thread is very important. It must be strong, but thin enough to easily pass through the needle, not easy to break and as inconspicuous as possible. Some beading projects might demand using a double thread or wax to protect against thread fraying, twisting and knotting. Double thread is really not necessary for bead embroidery. Instead of doubling you can always just use a stronger thread. And talking about wax, me personally I try to avoid, as I hate the feel of it and it can also stain the fabric. 

For a beginner its always better to start with a shorter thread about 30-40cm long, but I just don’t like changing to a new thread every half an hour. This is why I prefer working with the longest length possible that I can handle in the span of my arms. Unfortunately, the longer the thread the more likely it will tangle, so really you have to find what works best for you. 

Try to match the thread to the color of your beads and the pattern. Black thread is too dark and shows with most beads. This can be an advantage if you like the shadow of the thread to set off your colors or using a dark background pattern. White or beige colored thread is best suited for white or any other colored beads used on a multi-colored pattern. Keep in mind that dark or matching color threads can enhance, change, or completely gray out the transparent beads. The color of the thread will affect the color of any transparent bead in the piece you are working on. A dark thread may show through pale beads, but as a rule of thumb, a darker color will show less than a lighter color. What you have to be careful with are the colored threads, make sure you check the stability of the color before starting your embroidery.

There are also many different types and brands of the beading threads, with the most widely used being nylon / polyester thread or monofilament-type thread. Nylon “Nymo” and Polyester “Ariadna Tytan 100” beading threads are ones of the most used in bead embroidery. These threads are soft, strong and will not create large holes in the embroidery foundation. They come in a wide variety of colors and thicknesses to accommodate most beads. FireLine is a strong, heavy duty monofilament-type thread with little or no stretch, that I feel is not as good as the nylon / polyester thread due to being much harder and not very flexible.

Well-chosen beading thread will make your work easier and help achieve more effective results.

Beading Needles

If you are already familiar with the different beads on the market, then you will know that the small seed beads are so tiny that they require a very fine piece of metal to fit through the hole without breaking the bead. Beading needles are thinner and more flexible than regular sewing needles and they remain the same width from point to end, this makes it easier to go through beads multiple times.

If talking about the length there is a choice of ‘long’ and ‘short’ beading needles. The long beading needles are called “longs” and are most often used for bead weaving and threading. These needles will allow you to thread large numbers of beads in one go and you also have a little more to hold as you work. But you may find that you prefer a shorter needle if you are trying to stitch through beads at an angle. Shorter needles are called “sharps” and are most often used for embroidering beads onto fabric. They are also great for tying off a project which has more limited thread left over and make it easier to create half-hitch knots.

Secondly, beading needles come in a choice of sizes. These are given as a number. The most common sizes used in bead embroidery are 10 and 12. The larger the number, the thinner the needle. Keep in mind that the thinner the needle the easier they can bend whilst beading, and once you bend it, you also weaken it. So bent needles can quickly become broken needles.

Thirdly, there are different styles of beading needles. If you are having troubles threading your needles, look out for the ones with larger holes. These are made of a very flexible metal and the eye is in the center of the needle rather than at one end. The eye has been elongated so that you can pry it open and this should make it easier to thread. Keep in mind that beading needles are so thin that they are easier to lose, and can sometimes break or bend. That is why it is always handy to have a pack of spares.

So now you have some great ideas of the embroidery tools to keep in your sewing kit. Many of these you may have already, saving money on setting up your new toolkit. And if you don’t, all these tools can be purchased in the corresponding section of our online store BeadEmbroideryArt, as we have prepared everything you need to start embroidering as soon as you can.

The post 3 Most Important Embroidery Tools You Need to Use first appeared on Bead Embroidery Art.

Pictures embroidered with beads will stand out in any interior, and can also become a worthy gift, made with your own hands. But if you are reading this page I suppose you still don’t know where to start with the embroidery process. Do not worry, because in this post we have prepared all the information you need to know from start to finish.

How to Start Beading

Your first project should be simple, with a small number of bead colors and a clear well detailed pattern. Any fabric can be used for bead embroidery. Backing will often need to be applied to provide adequate support for the weight of the beads. Many people who do bead embroidery use patterns that are either ironed or already printed on the fabric. Patterns can also be drawn freehand on the fabric with a pencil or disappearing marker. The main purpose is to give the beader a guide for the project.

When choosing what needle to use, the main requirement is that it is able to fit through the hole of the beads. Tiny seed beads require a special, very thin and sharp needle. In the other hand, tube beads or any other beads with a relatively large holes allow the use of a larger needle. Also keep an eye on the angle at which you stitch through your pattern, as it might actually affect how your beads lie within each row of bead embroidery. If you insert your needle at an angle, your beads will either be spaced too far apart or will bunch up against each other and make little bulges in your rows. Try as hard as you can to keep your needle straight with every stitch to keep your rows of seed beads nice and even.

Since the thread undergoes significant tension during the embroidery process, there are 2 types of beading thread mainly used by beaders: nylon/polyester beading thread and transparent monofilament, fishing line type thread. Nylon thread is soft, strong, and will not create large holes in the bead embroidery foundation. The color of the thread is determined by the color of the base fabric, even if the colors of the beads are contrasting. Monofilament threads are also very strong and somewhat stiffer than the nylon threads, but they don’t come in a range of colors like the nylon beading threads. Either type of beading thread will work well for bead embroidery, and it is recommended to start the learning process with the thread no more than 30-40cm long. 

The best part of bead embroidery is that anything goes when it comes to which beads you use. You can use various seed bead shapes, styles, and colors to achieve different results in your bead embroidery. Try fun shapes like bugles for even more texture and dimension in your bead embroidery designs. If there is a bead that you want to use in a embroidery project, with a little trial and error and a little patience, you can use just about any type of bead that you want to and create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of beaded art.

Only if you are using pre-printed patterns, then you do need to stick to the bead sizes and shapes recommended by the manufacturer. As an example, most Ukrainian manufacturers design their patterns for the size 10/0 Preciosa Czech beads. To make sure you can count the amount of beads needed for your chosen design, start by counting the number of cells of each color on the pattern. Each cell of the pattern corresponds to a single bead. One gram of beads of a size 10/0 contains about 80 beads. Also don’t forget that there is plenty of bead organizers and storage containers available on the market to help you manage your work with materials as small as beads.

If possible use natural light by choosing a table next to a sunny window. But depending on where you live, your opportunities for optimum sun exposure can be limited – especially in winter! Magnifying lamps solve this problem by providing evenly distributed bright illumination without any distracting shadows or glare from another source of light and reduce eyestrain when working with tiny beads. 

First Steps in Learning Bead Embroidery Techniques

For a beginner it is always easier to start with a small embroidery kit that contains a printed pattern, beads, needles and threads as well as an information leaflet from the manufacturer with the detailed description of the bead embroidery techniques.

For embroidery of different designs different techniques can be used. One of the most popular bead embroidery techniques is called “half cross” stitch. This technique produces a diagonal stitch on the front side of the fabric and a vertical or a horizontal stitch on the back side. It is extremely important to ensure that the diagonal stitches are always made in the same direction to avoid distorting the pattern. Start by leaving a little knot on the back of your pattern, then bring your needle to the front and secure the thread with a couple of back stitches. It is good to know that experienced beaders sometimes skip the knot part. If you start your stitching in the top left corner coming down to the bottom right corner your beads will face right diagonally. Then you shall keep moving down the row by adding beads to the pattern one by one. Once you have completed the row, turn the pattern upside down and continue with the next row following the same direction as the previous one.

In some bead embroidery patterns where the lines are not straight you can use back stitch concept, making the longer stitches on the back of the fabric and the short stitches with the beads attached on the front. But if you want your stitches to line up better try to do this stitch upside down, so you can straighten your beads by passing the thread through the same bead twice.

On the longer rows, or if you are embroidering in a circular technique, it is possible to use 2-3 beads at a time with your back stitch. In this beading technique each stitch carries more than one bead, and only the last bead is being sewn onto the fabric.

If you feel like you need more detailed information about the stitches used, we do have a separate post dedicated to the most used TYPES OF STITCHES in bead embroidery.

A tidy backing, regardless of the type of embroidery stitches used, is an indicator of lessons learned and the key to a presentable appearance of the finished embroidered pictures.

You have to learn to maintain the same thread tension during the embroidery process. Do not tighten too much, nor leave the stitch too loose. This will prevent distortions and make a big difference in your finished piece. To improve the resistance of the thread and facilitate the embroidery process, natural beeswax can be used.

Many people who are not yet familiar with the practical side of beadwork believe that this type of handicraft is too complicated and laborious work. I am here to tell you it really isn’t and you will quickly realize how pleasurable it is to create the exquisite beauty of beaded embroidery with your own hands.

Pictures embroidered with beads can become not only an original gift for relatives and close friends, but also a very stylish element of decoration.

Materials Needed for Bead Embroidery

Every person that has embroidered before at some point must have faced a situation where in the course of the work one or another element was missing.

Make sure you prepare your workspace and have the correct lighting before you start your embroidery. Here is the list of everything you might need for the process itself:
– pattern printed or drawn on the fabric;
– beading thread;
– beading needle;
– scissors;
– beads;
– bead organizers.

Finishing Your Embroidery

The perfect embroidery piece is not only a beautiful picture made with love, but also with a quality finish.

One of the most popular methods of finishing your picture is applying a “Passe-Partout effect”. This effect allows you to apply a mat or cardboard for mounting and framing your embroideries. The effect creates margins around the pictures and enhances its visual appeal. The Passe-Partout should not contrast with the rest of the picture, but rather emphasize the benefits of it.

For a good finish, the following must be taken into account:
– It is not recommended to combine contrasting colors;
– since “related” tones often merge, it is desirable to “add” different tones between them.

Final thoughts

Many people believe that embroidery with beads is not only a creative process, but also a therapy. This exciting process is suitable for people with great patience, perseverance and have a remarkable imagination.

With the right approach, the beading process is capable of bringing a lot of pleasant emotions to both experienced and novice beaders. If you like cross-stitch, embroidery, or do other types of crafts, do not hesitate to try this new technique and we will help you by providing all the necessary materials, which you can purchase in our online store BeadEmbroideryArt.com.

The post How to Embroider with Beads – Everything You Need to Start first appeared on Bead Embroidery Art.

How to choose beads for embroidery project:

1. Before you buy, make sure to check the size of the beads in each package – all beads have to be the same size. If you buy your beads and they end up being of a bad quality and not calibrated it can easily ruin your embroidery and even your day.

2. If you are using color lined or silver lined seed beads, please keep in mind that these beads might lose their color over time. Therefore they are not recommended for embroidery of clothes  or anything that might need to be washed. These beads are mostly used in embroidery of pictures as transitional shades. If you notice any remains of color on your fingers whilst embroidering, do not expect their durability.

3. When buying tube shaped beads, please pay attention to their edges. They should all have straight edges, otherwise sooner or later the edge will cut the thread.

4. If you are using multiple colors in your embroidery project, make sure the size of the beads is the same for all colors.

5. Also when selecting beads for embroidery you should pay attention to their holes. They must be open and with the same diameter. Enlarging the hole will be impossible, so if you are hesitating, better not buy.

6. Make sure your needle has an appropriate size and can easily pass through the hole of the beads.

7. For ornamental motifs, opaque matte beads will be more appropriate, especially if the embroidery is done on a dark background. Transparent beads are going to look lost on this background. Light colored beads also look better on a darker background.

8. Transparent beads placed in the middle of dark mattes will look lost and not visible.

9. Bead brands do matter! Although, seed beads come in standard sizes, think of them like clothes. A size 11 in one retailer may be slightly different to a size 11 in another. The difference might be small, but it is large enough to affect your embroidery. 

10. The colors that best withstand washing, friction and the sun are transparent and opaques. The color lined and metallic ones have a superficial coat that makes them more delicate.

I hope you liked our tips and finally, never forget to use only high quality beads, as it will hugely affect the result of your embroidery work. Now, if you are following a pattern, then you have no choice but to use beads specified by the manufacturer. That includes using the correct brands and the correct quantities of each color. We have made this easier for you by matching the beads to the embroidery designs and prepared full kits for you to purchase and not have to worry about the quality or the amount of beads needed for each design. In our online shop you will find bead embroidery kits for all tastes and levels of difficulty.

The post 10 tips on how to choose beads for embroidery first appeared on Bead Embroidery Art.

What are seed beads?

SEED BEADS are the type of beads of small dimensions, also called ROCAILLES, which is generally differentiated by sizes, colors, shapes and materials from which they are made. Beads are very commonly used in off-loom bead weaving, jewelry making, decoration of clothes and lately it has become very popular to use them for the embroidery of magnificent pictures. Let’s get to know them in more detail…

Materials

Glass is the most common material used to make seed beads, as they are the best for quality and finish, but apart from glass you could also find beads made from metal, ceramic, plastic or even bone.

You can find cheap seed beads made of plastic manufactured in China but they are not recommended to use as they can fade over time. It is definitely worth spending a little extra to buy the best quality beads which come from Japan and the Czech Republic.  

Japanese beads manufactured by Matsuno, Toho and Miyuki are widely known for their greater uniformity and consistency of sizes, perfectly round shapes and finishes, which results in higher prices for their beads.

However, donut shaped Czech beads manufactured by Preciosa are considered more valued in bead embroidery around the world as they have slightly larger holes than their Japanese competitors, which facilitates their use by making multiple thread passes easier. Preciosa seed beads have managed to stand out from the rest of the manufacturers thanks to the perfection of their finishes and also a greater range of bead shapes.

Shapes

You can find beads in a range of shapes and forms such as flowers, leaves, round, rectangular, pyramidal, square, oval, tear-shaped, tube, spiral, etc. Virtually any kind of bead can be used for embroidery, as all their various sizes, colors and shapes help to create different effects. Faceted beads give a geometric look while tube beads fill in shapes or outline areas of the pattern. Smaller, round beads are often attached in groups of three or four and are used to create spirals, circles and other free-flowing designs. It ultimately is an artistic decision made by the beader as to what kinds and colors of beads to use.

Sizes

Seed beads are classified with a number that relates to their size, the most common of which are the numbers 15/0 extra small (1.5mm), 11/0 normal (2mm), 8/0 large (3mm) and 6/0 extra large (4mm). Seed bead sizes are a little confusing because the higher the size, the smaller the bead! The sizes that are mostly used in crafts vary from 8/0 to 15/0, the most used for embroidery being 11/0 (normal size) and 15/0 (micro beads).

Finishes

Among the appearances and finishes of the beads, there are transparent, opaque and matte shades with different effects such as:

1. Transparent Seed Beads are the main ones, on which the entire range of beads is based. They are made of transparent glass of different colors and look more lively or ”sparkly” than opaque beads. There are different finishes that can be applied over a transparent bead: Transparent Dyed, Transparent Matte, Transparent Luster and Transparent Rainbow.

2. Silver Lined Seed Beads. They are made with a transparent or opal glass and have a mirror-like reflective lining in their holes, however over time the silver colors may fade or wear off. Usually, but not always, the hole is square to enhance the bead’s reflectiveness. There are different finishes that can be applied over a silver-lined bead: Silver-Lined Dyed and Silver-Lined Rainbow.

3. Aurora Borealis Seed Beads or AB is a term for crystal stones that have a highly iridescent surface. The rainbow effect finish applied to the surface of these beads has been designed to reflect and sparkle. These beads may differ from each other in color.

4. Color Lined Seed Beads. Also known as Inside Colored, because the inside of the beads has a colored coating applied to it. The bead is usually transparent to help show off the inside color. The inside color may also have an effect applied, such as luster, rainbow or fancy lined. In embroidery work they can be a bit finicky: they don’t like to stay long in water, exposed to the sun, and the secondary color on the surface of the hole can rub off over time. But despite all these difficulties, they do look very nice in the finished product.

5. Opaque Seed Beads are the strongest and most durable of all bead types. Light cannot pass through an opaque bead because opaque beads transmit no light. There are different finishes that can be applied over an opaque bead: Opaque Dyed, Opaque Matte, Opaque Luster and Opaque Rainbow.

6. Galvanized Seed Beads, also known as metallic, have a metallic plating applied to the glass, giving a reflective and shiny finish. Metal tones of silver, steel, copper, gold and bronze are the most popular finishes. This finish can be potentially rubbed off over a long period of time.

7. Frosted Semi-transparent Seed Beads that have a matte finish, with the surface looking dull. This effect is achieved by mechanical or chemical means.

8. Striped Seed Beads are made with two or more glass colors that are considered being very durable.

9. “Chameleon” Seed Beads – the name speaks for itself, the little beads can change their color depending on the environment and lighting.

10. Marbled Seed Beads have an uneven colored surface, reminiscent of the color of natural stone. It is unlikely that you will find two beads of the same color.

So you already know that there is a wide variety of types of beads, their possible shapes, sizes, colors and materials from which they are made from. Among all these types of beads you can always find those that will work best to achieve the desired result. If you would like to know more about how to choose beads for your embroidery project, you can find more useful information in another article in our blog HERE, although with us you do not have to worry because all the embroidery kits in our store already have the beads selected according to each design.

The post Complete Guide to Seed Beads – Different Sizes, Shapes and Finishes first appeared on Bead Embroidery Art.