Method 1. Beaded patch with a cobochon stone
Cut out the base for the patch
You can decide on the shape of the patch– it need not be in the shape of your stone. I have cut it in the shape of the stone but it can be oval, rectangle or whatever shape you want. I have decided to use felt from an old hat for this.
Felt is a very good backing for your patch. You can use wool scraps, even upholstery fabric as your base. You will need to cut 2 pieces of this – one as an immediate backing and another as an outer backing (The outer backing is used after the bead stitching is done)
Cut out felt in the shape of cabochon stone with some space for beading
If the base felt is of a different color than your beads or your overall color scheme, you may want to color the felt; this will avoid the base color showing through. I painted black fabric paint on the base felt. Do this for both the backing pieces – and the sides too.
Color the felt to match the beads so that the cabochon patch will not look odd
Decide on the beads
You can choose the color of the seed beads you want around your cabochon. If you have differently sized seed beads a commonly used pattern is to use 11 size and 15 size beads next to each other – the size difference makes a nice contrast effect.
The smaller beads are used next to the cabochon and then the bigger beads form a frame around this. I have used the same sized beads throughout. The color scheme can follow the colors of the cabochon or a contrasting scheme or the color of your chain, based on your personal preference.
Glue the cabochon to the backing
You can use a good glue to attach the cabochon on your felt /backing piece. Allow to dry before starting the beading.
Start beading a bezel around your cabochon
Use a beading needle and thread – a beading needle is thin enough to thread the smallest seed bead. You will be making a back stitch to attach beads along the edge of the stone forming a bezel around the stone. You can learn more about Bead Embroidery Basics here.
Knot the thread. Bring up the needle along the edge of the stone. Thread 4 or 5 seed beads on your needle.
Take the needle down through the backing.
Come up with the needle 2 beads behind
Take up the needle behind from where you went down, after 2 beads
Thread the needle through the 2 beads
Now thread the needle through the 2 beads ahead – this anchors your seed beads thoroughly on your backing. (Just threading the seed beads without this back stitching will make your beading work weak)thread the needle through the next 2 beads
Repeat the beading steps
You can now continue threading 4 beads on your needle. Make a back stitch. Come back through the 2 beads. Repeat again till you have created a rim/bezel around the cabochon stonefinish the beading around the stone
Now you have to attach the outer backing
The outerbacking is cut in the same shape as your patch base. You can glue it to the back.
Edge beading
Edge beading along the outer edge of your patch fastens the outerbacking and creates a nice outline for the patch.
Thread 3 beads on the needle
Bring the needle along the outer edge catching the backing and the outer backing together. Take up 3 seed beads on your needle.
Insert the needle back.
Bring the needle back to the backing, just one bead after where you came up initially.
This creates a nice 3 bead edge
Continue doing the above steps till you have a nice beaded edge all around the patch
Method 2
Step 1.
The base of your beaded patch can be cut out of felt (my first choice) or Ultrasuede or any fabric. Some even use buckram as the base. I would use a material that does not ravel much. A nylon tricot material can also be used if you want a flexible patch. You can also use non-woven interfacing, in black or white as the backing for your patch.
Cut out the base according to your design with 1/2 to 3/4 inch along the margin (this depends on how big the design is)
Step 2
You need a base material to keep the patch stiff if you are using felt or fabric. Cut out a faux leather or original leather or buckram or stiff interfacing or stiff felt itself in the dimension of the design – ie without the extra allowance.
Step 3
Now for backing for your patch – Cut another piece of felt or fabric that will be the same as the stiff fabric. If it is a fraying fabric you will need extra allowance to tuck inside.
You also need beads for your design and beading needle (long thin needle that will pass through the beads) and suitable thread – nylon preferably because it is strong.
Step 4
Start beading on the base fabric inside the design parameters.
If you are using a similar colored base as your beads it will be ok even if the beading is not densely done. But if the base is a white-colored fabric or buckram which is a tan color you will have to ensure that the beading is done densely to cover the whole area.
Related posts : Bead Stitching on Textiles ; Beadwork Stitching Tips .
Beading on large areas is very time-consuming if you are using tiny seed beads. You have to set aside some dedicated beading time if you want large designs. Make small patches, if it is your first time.
First, outline the designs with a backstitch with the beads and then fill the area inside. Or make medallion-like stitches going around the center bead as I have done.
For this first sew the first bead at the center of the fabric circle. After this begin the circle around this bead. String some 5 to 6 beads on your needle and then circle it around the center bead – remove or add according to the size of your beads. Couch stitch the bead string in 2 or 3 places to keep them stay in place. Do this again and again till the whole design is complete.
You can add rhinestones, sequins, etc to your beadwork for extra sparkle.
Step 5
To make the base for the beaded patch follow the steps given below.
After the beading is done, Keep the stiff material on the back of your beaded piece. Use a needle and thread and make a running stitch along the outer perimeter of the beaded fabric.
If the material is buckram, clip the allowance and turn to the back and glue in place.
Pull the stitch to stretch the completed design on the board.
Use the other remaining felt/fabric to cover the back.
Hand sew in place.
You can do edge beading as a final step.
You can embroider 3-d flowers on your beaded patch or make wire 3-d bead flowers and attach to the base.
To make the 3-d flowers with wire follow the tutorial given below:.
Cut out 8 inches of thin wire. Fold the top as in the picture below. String 3 beads on it. Twist the wire under the beads as in the picture.
String about 5 beads on the wire.
Bring it up and twist it there.
Do the same for the other side too.
Make more like the above. Fold the top curl to the back. This makes one petal. Make 2 more for one flower.
Twist the wires together to form one flower. Make as many flowers as you want for the patch.
Make as many flowers are you want.
Make your base or use a stiff material in itself as the base.
Related post : DIY Beaded flower Petals for fabric decoration
Method 4. Weave your own Beaded patch
- Mark your design on graph paperUsing sketch pens (or pencil) mark the design according to the pattern you have in mind. After you have designed it, you can lay out the necessary beads according to your design for your convenience. Each grid on the graph paper is considered as one bead. Remember seed beads are very small, so mark accordingly.
- Thread the needle with beadsTake enough seed beads on your needle and thread to fill the first row of your design. I needed 9 beads for my first row so I took those 9 beads on the needle. Keep the beads to the back of the thread leaving a small thread tail behind.
- Take the bead for the next rowThread the needle with the first bead for the next row
- Insert the needle through the last bead of your first rowYou should be doing this from the left.
- Pull it tightThis will attach the new bead just under the last bead of the first row
- Now insert the needle from the right through the new bead
- Pull this tightYou have your first row started, with the first bead of the second row firmly attached under the last bead of the first row.
- Now do the same thing again with the next beadInsert another bead the same way. Remember to follow the design – the color of the beads you should be adding should be following the markings you have made on the graph paper.
- Go up through the top bead
- Come back through the new beadEverything as you did earlier.
- Complete the row and then come backWhen you reach the other side of the design you will be coming back.
- Do this repeatedly
- Cut out backingI am using a faux leather piece as backing; felt is good enough; Or any other thick fabric.
- Sew the backing and the woven bead piece togetherKeep them together and sew the edges with beads.
DIY Patch Ideas ; How to attach clothing patches ; How to make embroidered clothing patches. ; Types of hand stitches with pictures
