Large personalised icons are 139 images of patron saints in the 230×300 mm format. This is a household icon at full size: up to 10,000 beads, 13–19 colours, with the face printed on the canvas rather than beaded. They are often bought as a pair for a wedding or as a family icon.
At a glance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Stitched area | 230×300 mm |
| Difficulty | medium on 97 kits, easy on 38 |
| Colours | 13–19, most often 15–17 |
| Beads | up to 10,000 |
| Working time | 35–60 hours |
Choosing the image
By the patron saint's name, which appears in the title of every kit. For a wedding a pair of images is usual; for a family icon, the saint whose name someone in the family carries. The same images come smaller in personalised mini icons.
Working tips
- Keep one direction. Over a large area next to the face, beads leaning different ways show immediately.
- Gold from one batch. Halos and ornament are usually worked in coated beads, and the shade can vary between batches.
- Use a hoop. At 230×300 mm even tension is easier to hold.
Questions and answers
How long does a large icon take?
35–60 hours depending on coverage and pace, so roughly six to eight weeks at an hour a day.
Is it hard for a beginner?
38 kits here are rated easy and the rest medium. The face is not beaded, so the finest work is not part of the project.
How is an embroidered icon finished?
In a kiot or a moulding frame with glass. Traditions and options are in how to bead embroider an icon.
Can I buy the pattern alone?
Yes, without materials: bead embroidery icon patterns.