How to - sew on sequins and beads

Written By susanna mensah

Knowing how to revamp or repair your garments with sequins / beads, is a great DIY hack to learn.

These come in different shapes and colours and can be sewn on by hand or machine.

In this tutorial; the focus will be on sewing sequins and beads by hand.

 
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Tools needed:

  • Fine needle, that is small enough to go through the eye of the sequin/bead.

  • DTM (dyed to match) colour thread to the main fabric, in order for the thread to blend with the background. If you want the thread to be invisible, then use Nylon thread.

  • Sequins /beads that are enough to repair or decorate the desired area.

 

Start with:

Step 1: Ensure the area of sewing is clearly marked.

Step 2: Ensure the correct needle is used and the thread is knotted at the end. The thread can be single when using Nylon or double when using normal Cotton / Polyester.

Step 3: Ensure to have sequins/beads in a small bowl for easy access and to keep it all in place when working on the fabric.

 
 
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Sewing on single beads

  • Push the needle through the fabric, with the knot on the wrong side.

  • Slide the bead through the needle.

  • Push the needle back into the fabric, next to the bead.

  • Tie a knot at the wrong side of the fabric, therefore securing the bead in place.

 
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Sewing on multi beads

  • In this case, sewing a tubular shape of beads. The beads need to be secured after every 2-3 beads. If too long the row will become slack and not lay nice and flat on the fabric.

  • The same method as the single beads, however now you will push through your needle up to 3 beads.

  • Tip: After threading the row of beads, go over in between the beads to secure it in place.

 
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Sewing on sequins

  • Sew on sequins with the same start as the single beads, however needle will now be pushed back over the bead. This will keep the sequin in place.

  • Your needle should be in the back of the fabric, push this through a bit away from the first sequin.

  • Slide through the next sequin, which will sit under the 1st sequin.

  • Push the needle to the back of the sequin, thread will go over the top.

  • Repeat the same steps for the next sequin that you will sew in a row.

Tip:

The above are just a few ways on how to sew on sequins/beads by hand.

The main focus is to ensure the sequins/beads are securely attached and won’t come undone when wearing the garment.

For more How-to tutorial steps, please contact me

Check How to video on SEMSAH FASHION Youtube channel

susanna mensah
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