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Lesson 6.2

Aari Leaf Embroidery: Bugle Beads and Sequin Rows

In this lesson, you will build on your previous leaf embroidery by introducing bugle beads. Working with the Indian Aari technique, you will stitch the leaf’s outline and veins, fill one side with bugles and complete the other with sequins. You will practise adjusting stitch spacing to suit the materials while keeping the pointed tip and reverse side neat.

Materials to Prepare

  • Embroidery frame with your composition in progress

  • Leaf pattern and pencil

  • Embroidery hook and thread

  • Loose beads for the stem

  • Bugle beads

  • Loose sequins

  • Soft pads for holding your materials

  • Scissors

Learning Outcomes


By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Outline a leaf and define its central line and veins.

  • Highlight a pointed tip with a short securing stitch.

  • Attach bugle beads with spacing suited to their length.

  • Use securing and travelling stitches to move between rows.

  • Fill the opposite side with directional sequin rows.

  • Finish the thread ends neatly on the reverse side.

Your Practice


Draw another leaf on your fabric and keep the front side facing you. Begin at the stem with a few beads, then follow the leaf’s outline with plain tambour stitches. At the tip, add a short securing stitch before returning along the central line.


Embroider the veins on one side. Attach bugle beads along the demonstrated rows, measuring the distance before each stitch. Secure the last bugle with a short stitch, then use plain stitches to reach the next row.


Complete the other side with sequins, following the drawn guidelines. Return with plain stitches between rows, then work back with sequins as demonstrated.


Finish the embroidery and draw the thread end to the reverse side to secure it. Check that the back is neat and all loose ends are secured.

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