Dakotah's Beaded Paisley Tutorial
Hi everyone!
After posting a couple photos of my beaded paisley on CQInternational yahoo group I was asked by Jo (New Zealand) to write up a tutorial. Funny, because I had already planned to do one. Ah, I love how great minds think alike!
Anyway, here it is:
Dakotah's Beaded Paisley
Supplies needed:
Paisley pattern
3-4 inch square of heavy fabric - velvet, velveteen or other thick fabric works well
Stitch witchery, wonder under or heat-n-bond webbing or fusible interfacing
Perle cotton size 5 or 8, rayon and silk embroidery threads in complimentary colors
Variety of seed and bugle beads to compliment your fabric
Center focal bead or silk ribbon that compliments your fabric
Beading thread
Glue
Directions:
Apply fusible webbing or fusible interfacing to the back of your fabric. A heavy fabric provides a good base for building the paisley. Some fabric color will show around your beading and stitchwork.
Print out the paisley patterns in appropriate sizes. Cut out a paisley.
You can trace the paper paisley onto cardstock or the side of an empty kleenex box and cut out for a more stable pattern. The large paisley shown in the construction photos is approximately 3" long.
Trace the paisley pattern onto the front of the fabric. Remove web backing, if appropriate.
Choose a variety of threads, seed beads and accent beads for your paisley in complementary colors. You won't use everything you bring out, but with a selection you will be able to pick and choose what looks best.
Stitch the border line of your paisley using reverse chain or heavy chain/braid stitch. A medium weight perle cotton works well in size 5 or 8. This edge stitching creates a firm frame for your paisley.
Here's where you will alternate beads and stitching. Add a line of seed or other beads inside the chain stitching. Then add a line of backstitching. Rayons and silks work well for the embroidery, as they add a nice sheen and stand out from the fabric.
Continue adding thread and beads as space allows. A 2" long paisley will hold 3 to 6 rows of stitching and beads, depending on what is intended for the center. The constructed paisley shown has a total of 6 inner rows of beading and stitching when finished.
Tip: Keep your threads tidy on the paisley's back to keep the fusible webbing exposed and to minimize bulk.
You should have by now decided what you wish to place in the center of your paisley. A large bead or bead cap works well. A flat button or SRE works well, too. A center of silk ribbon roses in descending order (a spiderweb rose followed by graduated French knots) can be seen below.
Once your center is completed, cut out your paisley using sharp scissors. Cut carefully around the outside line of stitching and avoid clipping any of your edging stitches. Trim off any excess fabric.
Here is the finished paisley. I made this one for my boyfriend to adorn his tan messenger bag. I think it will look nice. I chose more "manly" colors, since it was for him, including making a center thistle instead of a frilly flower. He loves it, so I'm happy.
If you have used fusible webbing you should be able to largely fuse your paisley onto fabric and hand stitch around the edge to secure it. Otherwise, stitch or glue your paisley as desired.
After posting a couple photos of my beaded paisley on CQInternational yahoo group I was asked by Jo (New Zealand) to write up a tutorial. Funny, because I had already planned to do one. Ah, I love how great minds think alike!
Anyway, here it is:
Dakotah's Beaded Paisley
Supplies needed:
Paisley pattern
3-4 inch square of heavy fabric - velvet, velveteen or other thick fabric works well
Stitch witchery, wonder under or heat-n-bond webbing or fusible interfacing
Perle cotton size 5 or 8, rayon and silk embroidery threads in complimentary colors
Variety of seed and bugle beads to compliment your fabric
Center focal bead or silk ribbon that compliments your fabric
Beading thread
Glue
Directions:
Apply fusible webbing or fusible interfacing to the back of your fabric. A heavy fabric provides a good base for building the paisley. Some fabric color will show around your beading and stitchwork.
Print out the paisley patterns in appropriate sizes. Cut out a paisley.
You can trace the paper paisley onto cardstock or the side of an empty kleenex box and cut out for a more stable pattern. The large paisley shown in the construction photos is approximately 3" long.
Trace the paisley pattern onto the front of the fabric. Remove web backing, if appropriate.
Choose a variety of threads, seed beads and accent beads for your paisley in complementary colors. You won't use everything you bring out, but with a selection you will be able to pick and choose what looks best.
Stitch the border line of your paisley using reverse chain or heavy chain/braid stitch. A medium weight perle cotton works well in size 5 or 8. This edge stitching creates a firm frame for your paisley.
Here's where you will alternate beads and stitching. Add a line of seed or other beads inside the chain stitching. Then add a line of backstitching. Rayons and silks work well for the embroidery, as they add a nice sheen and stand out from the fabric.
Continue adding thread and beads as space allows. A 2" long paisley will hold 3 to 6 rows of stitching and beads, depending on what is intended for the center. The constructed paisley shown has a total of 6 inner rows of beading and stitching when finished.
Tip: Keep your threads tidy on the paisley's back to keep the fusible webbing exposed and to minimize bulk.
You should have by now decided what you wish to place in the center of your paisley. A large bead or bead cap works well. A flat button or SRE works well, too. A center of silk ribbon roses in descending order (a spiderweb rose followed by graduated French knots) can be seen below.
Once your center is completed, cut out your paisley using sharp scissors. Cut carefully around the outside line of stitching and avoid clipping any of your edging stitches. Trim off any excess fabric.
Here is the finished paisley. I made this one for my boyfriend to adorn his tan messenger bag. I think it will look nice. I chose more "manly" colors, since it was for him, including making a center thistle instead of a frilly flower. He loves it, so I'm happy.
If you have used fusible webbing you should be able to largely fuse your paisley onto fabric and hand stitch around the edge to secure it. Otherwise, stitch or glue your paisley as desired.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Ann Johnson on January 3, 2013 at 14:03 -
Thank you, Dakota. This is a great tutorial. Can't wait to get started on one!
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Comment by Katie A Detlie on December 17, 2009 at 1:50 -
Thanks Dakota! I was doing an image search for paisley designs and I saw yours and found this lovely place and just had to join so I could read your tutorial. I had an idea for a sorta quilted-ish somewhat beaded soft necklace, but the one person I told thought I was making a joke. I bet you wouldn't. I just love these. I may make some paisleys like these before I make the necklace since I have no clue how to make what I want and I know I want what you made too. :)
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Comment by Liz in Kansas on March 20, 2009 at 18:49 -
Hi Dakota. I just found this tutorial. Great idea and great instructions. I really will have to try this!
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Comment by Donna on March 16, 2009 at 17:39 -
I can't wait to do this! wonderful job
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Comment by MichelleMermaid on March 2, 2009 at 16:43 -
Hi, Sharon, thanks so much!
That means a lot. :)
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Comment by sharonb on March 1, 2009 at 23:27
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Yes, I just want to chime in and say this is a good tutorial. I am sure lots of people will find it useful
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Comment by Thelma Bradshaw on March 1, 2009 at 6:27 -
Such a wonderful tutorial Dakotah. Thanks !
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Comment by MichelleMermaid on February 28, 2009 at 21:47
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Hi Ladies! So glad you like the tutorial. They really are easy to make this way. These are my first and I think they turned out well. I just saw some paisleys and decided to give it a go. I am sure these can be embellished further and the idea expanded upon. With so many talented people here that's probably a given.
Send me a link if you do make some. I'd love to see your designs!
I do need to get some photo software so I can shrink my pictures. These are so big, but at the same time you can see every stitch! Just takes a while to load.
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Comment by Faye Dianne on February 28, 2009 at 6:09 -
Great tutorial Dakotah, I'm going to try doing these this way, for a change... Lovely work!!!
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Comment by Lyn Gaskill on February 28, 2009 at 4:54 -
Awesome, Dakota!! You make it look ssssooooo simple.
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