How-To: Embroider with Mardi Gras Beads

Our Program Coordinator, Molly, never ceases to amaze us with her imaginative creations. Check out this blissful tutorial on how to embroider with Mardi Gras beads, our material of the month for May’s Reuse & [Re]Think Challenge!

Materials to gather:

• mardi gras beads

• fabric / felt

• embroidery hoop

• embroidery thread

• hand sewing needle

• fine tip sharpie / marker

• scissors

Instructions:

1. Secure your fabric / felt into the embroidery hoop and draw your design.

2. Cut your necklace to create a string of beads.Llay the string of beads over your design and stitch between each bead to hold in place.

3. Cut the string when you're ready to change colors. Using the same thread, you can sew the next string of beads on.

4. Sew 3 shallow backstitches to secure the end of your thread.

5. Trim your fabric to leave ~1 inch outside of the hoop. Sew a loose gathering stitch around the entire the hoop, about 0.25 inches from the outer edges of the fabric.

6. Once you have gone all around, pull the thread tight to gather the extra fabric. Tie tightly to secure.

7. Finished! You can now admire your creative reuse of Mardi Gras beads!