How to do Bead Embroidery with the Stab Stitch - Sarah’s Hand Embroidery

Stab Stitch Bead Embroidery


How to do Bead Embroidery with the Stab Stitch

The Stab Stitch is like a single stitch, much like the Straight Stitch, but passed at the same location. If you were to pass in and out of the fabric out of the same location, you would be undoing the stitches, thus making no stitch at all! That is where the beads come into play. When beads are not involved, the Stab Stitch is usually used to hold other laid threads in place, like in Couching. The Stab Stitch is particularly used to hold two beads or decorations in place. A smaller bead that is anchored by the Stab Stitch is used to pin down the bigger one in place. So, this method requires two beads or sequins, preferably of two sizes. Follow the tutorial to understand better.


Fig 1: Come out with your needle at a point in your fabric. Slip in a sequin, or a big bead, or a bead, like a bugle. I am using a sequin. Fig 2: Next, slip in a small bead to follow the earlier bead or sequin.
Fig 3: Draw out the needle and push them both down to the base of the fabric. See how the smaller bead sits on the bigger sequin. Fig 4: Now, get the smaller bead out of the way and pass the needle back into the fabric only through the first bigger piece.
Fig 5: This secures both the pieces in place. The bead pins down the bigger one. Fig 5: This is a perfect method to use on isolated beads and sequins.

Stitch used in this project

12 Responses

  1. Pacete says:

    Hello Sarah, I loved it. As a matter of fact, I’m doing it! Unfortunately colors of photo are not good. Red is bright!
    Are you planning to update Youtube?

    • Sarah says:

      Oh wow, Pacete! I love it when you share your works with me. Thank you. You have applied the sequins so nice! Beautiful. Yes, I can imagine the bright red.

      I will be updating youtube soon with my 3SAT pattern tutorials. I hope you like them. 🙂

      • Syeda Toseefa abrar says:

        salam! how are you sarah? can you please explain what is 3 sat pattern?. i couldn’t understand.

        thank you
        syeda Toseefa Abrar

        • Sarah says:

          Hi Syeda,
          3sat pattern means, 3 stitches at a time. It is a set of easy patterns where you learn 3 new stitches in each pattern. Please check this link: https://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/projects/3sat-patterns/

          You can click each pattern for the videos. More are being uploaded. ☺️

          • syeda toseefa says:

            hello sarah!! hope you are doing well.
            After a long time a visited your page, glad to know you have a worked alot in last many years.
            i was busy with my studies thats why could not remain in contact. in that time i kept focus on crochet knitting.
            what about you
            Stay safe
            regards,
            syeda toseefa abrar

        • Sarah says:

          Hi Syeda
          It’s so glad to have you back!
          I am good, thanks. Yes, I did try to have a lot of content- videos and other tutorials. I hope you will enjoy them.
          How has crocheting and knitting been?
          I hope you had a successful studies🩷

          Warmly,
          Sarah

  2. Amanda Ruane says:

    Hello,
    Thank you very much for beautiful embroidery you show. They are much appreciated. Stay safe and healthy.

  3. odette says:

    merci

  4. harriet says:

    Do you knot them individually on the back?

    • Sarah says:

      Hi Harriet!
      If you are placing them nearby, as I have, you don’t have to knot them individually, and just continue from one bead to the other.

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