Beaded Alternating Feather stitch is a form of Feather stitch that is a fun decorative variety that can be adapted easily to create a variety of patterns and designs. For most beaded stitches I use a #26 tapestry needle which is fine enough to thread a bead, yet the eye is long enough to take a perle # 8 thread. using this type of needle means you can embroider and bead at the same time. The sample above is created using cotton perle #5 thread and oval beads. I used it on a crazy quilted block as a decorative seam treatment.
Here is a second sample this time I used seed beads and sequins to decorate a crazy quilt seam.
How to hand embroider Beaded Alternating Feather Stitch
Bring the thread through the fabric at the top left and insert the needle to the right as illustrated. Make a stitch with the needle tip pointed downward and with the thread wrapped under the needle, pull it through the fabric.
Make a second feather stitch by inserting the needle to the right and with the needle tip pointed downward as illustrated. With the thread wrapped under the needle, pull it through the fabric.
Thread a bead or beads on your needle and make a large stitch by inserting the needle to the left in line with the left side of your first stitch. Make a stitch on a downward angle so that the needle emerges between the two points as illustrated. With the thread wrapped under the needle, pull it through the fabric to make the next stitch.
Work these movements alternatively down the line adding beads as required.
Beaded Alternating Feather stitch is a decorative stitch that can be adapted easily to create a variety of patterns. I hope you enjoy the stitch.
Have you seen my book?
My book The Visual Guide to Crazy Quilting Design: Simple Stitches, Stunning Results
Stitchers templates
My templates aim to help you take your stitching to the next level. Designed by an embroiderer for embroiderers. With them you can create hundreds of different hand embroidery patterns to embellish your seams with flair. These templates are easy to use, made of clear plastic so you can position them easily and are compact in your sewing box.
These are simple to use. You simply position the template in place and use a quilter’s pencil to trace along the edge of the template. Stitch along this line to decorate the seam. I have a free ebook of patterns to accompany each set which illustrates how they can be used.
TO ORDER your Stitchers Templates
Crazy Quilt Templates set 1 you will find here
Crazy Quilt Templates set 2 you will find here
Hi Sharon, are these stitches in your book or are they new ones? They’re lovely. I’m hoping to purchase your book when I go to the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair in October
Therle – this is not in my book – I am adding constantly to the online stitch dictionary.
Hope you enjoy the book!
Thanks Sharon ! I just got your book last week and I can finally do the feather stitch! I made the dots on adia cloth practiced.
What a great way to enhance feather stitch, and thanks for the tip on the size of needle to use -very useful? Looking forward to seeing all the variations of stitches in January.
Dear Sharon,
Thank-you for your diligence in posting new and exciting tutorials each week. I love the idea of including beads in the sticheries. I also love your book. It arrived in the mail earlier this week. It is wonderful and chock full of everything you need to know about crazy patchwork and stitcheries with and without beads. This is going to be my bible. Congratulations it must have taken so long to put it all together. A masterpiece.
Thanks Marylyn pleased you like both the site and the books!
Another lovely stitch!
Hi Sharon, My question is not really related CQ but I would value your comment just the same … is “raised embroidery” the same as “stump work” by another name?
Oh what a good question! A quick answer – Raised embroidery has become a catch all phrase to describe 3D textured embroidery that includes wired embroidery, textured and 3 dimensional stitches and techniques. These techniques also include stumpwork. Stumpwork is also wired but often created using slips that attached to a foundation fabric, then padded out into 3 dimensional forms. Today contemporary embroiderers often use the two terms interchangeably – so they becoming to mean the same thing. This is a brief answer to a question that could be a blog post in itself – which I have noted so it might just become that! In the meanwhile I wanted to answer you so you did not think I was ignoring you. Thanks for the prompt!