Lesson 10
Aari Rose Embroidery: Beaded Bridge Stitches and Colour Transitions
In this lesson, you will draw small roses in the remaining spaces of your composition and fill them with groups of beads. Using the Aari technique, you will combine different colours within each bridge stitch and secure it with a short stitch. You will practise adapting stitch direction to the flower’s shape and choosing a contrasting colour for its centre.
Materials to Prepare
Embroidery frame with your composition in progress
Sharp pencil
Embroidery hook and thread
Loose beads in several complementary colours
Soft pads for holding your beads
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Draw small rose motifs in suitable spaces within your composition.
Attach several beads together using a bridge stitch.
Blend different bead colours within one stitch.
Secure each bridge with a short plain stitch.
Adjust stitch direction to fill gaps harmoniously.
Complete a flower centre with another colour.
Your Practice
Find a free space on your frame and draw a small rose. Make a starting lock at any point along its edge. Place several beads onto the hook’s needle, adding another colour to begin the transition, then transfer them onto the loop.
Attach the group with a long bridge stitch and add a short securing stitch to the side. For the next group, combine the same colours in a different balance. Repeat, securing each bridge as demonstrated.
Adjust the direction of your stitches to suit the rose and fill the remaining gaps. Complete the centre with another bead colour, keeping the flower’s details clearly defined.
Draw one or two more roses and explore different colour combinations to complete your first composition.