Beaded Fern Stitch

Beaded Fern Stitch

Beaded Fern stitch is s simple, versatile variety of Fern stitch and is ideal to use in floral sprays and is an excellent stitch to use for simple Christmas wreaths.

beaded fern stitch sampleIn this sample, I have used perle #8 hand-dyed variegated thread and a size 26 tapestry needle. Since the beading is done during the stitching process, and not added afterwards, use a 26 tapestry needle. The eye of a tapestry needle is long which means you can thread perle #8 and Perle #5 through. However, the needle itself is thin, which means you can add a bead to your working thread as you stitch. I have used seed beads in this sample.

How to work Beaded Fern Stitch

Beaded Fern Stitch consists of a simple arrangement of 3 straight stitches along a central line. You add beads to every second arm along the line.

beaded fern stitch step 1
Work three straight stitches, as you would with fern stitch, and bring your working thread out from the back of the fabric. Thread two or three seed beads on to your needle.

beaded fern stitch step 2With the beads on the thread, work a straight stitch on the left side.

beaded fern stitch step 3With the beads on the thread, work a straight stitch on the other side. Next, work a unit of three straight stitches that are normal fern stitch.

beaded fern stitch step 4This pattern is repeated along the line. Beaded Fern stitch is delightful, particularly when worked on a curve or in a free-form manner. You can also use bugle beads or even some novelty beads if they are the right size.




Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery book coverIf you enjoy my site you will get real value from my book  Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery: Visual Guide to 120 Essential Stitches for Stunning Designs

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned embroiderer, Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery gives you techniques to encourage a fresh and creative embroidery style. Discover play points in your embroidery. Explore variations in height and width. Or try stacking stitches, or using repetitions of the same stitch to create areas of texture and shape. All these techniques and more will give you creative variations. I have included numerous demonstrations of small tweaks that create big effects to send you down your own creative path.

19 Comments

  1. Sharon I really need a kick to get me catching up on the tast stitches, the crazy blocks and quilting seem to have taken over but must get back into these stitches now I have put it on paper will have to carry it out. Have just checked and feel by the wayside on 105 though have used one or two since on my crazy blocks

    1. Margaret I dont usually get mean with my readers but you said you needed a kick to get you going on the TASt stitches – well I am looking for my boots…. with a big grin on my face

      sharonb
  2. A case of the early bird this morning, finding the beaded fern post and so good to have caught up with my TAST stitches at last.
    I’ve enjoyed trying out the Lock and Fern variations and will surely find more ways to interpret them.

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