Individually Use this technique when stitching single beads onto cross stitch designs or onto the background fabric. Bring the thread up through the fabric, ready to work the first half of the cross stitch and thread on the bead. Complete the stitch as normal. Use the second half of the cross stitch to secure the bead in place by allowing the two strands of thread to separate and fall one each side of the bead - this holds the bead snugly in position.

Continuous thread This is used when stitching a line of beads parallel to a line of backstitch or in a border. Thread the beading needle with a double length of sewing cotton. Bring the beading needle up at the beginning of the proposed line of beads and feed several beads onto the needle. Thread another needle with thread and bring it up in the next hole along. Loop this thread over the beading thread and back through the same hole, catching a bead down as you go. Continue along the line, couching the beads down one at a time.