How to Make Perler Bead Bugs

Make your own cute beaded insects with these easy Perler bead bugs patterns! Choose from 8 free printable designs and create adorable bugs in your favourite colours.

Active Time15

Total Time15

Yield: Perler bead bee

Author: Debbie Chapman

Cost: $1

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

Gather your supplies and materials.

Step 2: Prepare your pegboard

Print our free Perler bead bugs patterns, or follow along with the template on your device’s screen.
Find the link to one pattern in the materials list above, with the other link and more information found below the tutorial.
To make these Perler bead insect designs you’ll need a small square pegboard. If you have a clear pegboard you can place it on top of the template.
We also find it helpful to sort the colours of Perler beads we need into small bowls.

Step 3: Follow the pattern

Begin placing the beads according to the pattern. We also find it helpful to use tweezers to place the Perler beads.
You can add the beads working from one direction to another, doing 1 colour at a time, or whatever is easiest for you.
For the bee we added the body first, going line by line from the top.
Add any final beads and then compare your work to the pattern, to make sure it's correct and you're happy with it.

Step 4: Iron the design

Place the pegboard on an ironing board or other heat safe surface. Cover your Perler design with parchment paper.
Heat your iron to medium heat, no steam. Place the iron onto the parchment covered beads and move it around in a circular motion for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
Check the beads to see if they’re melted together. Continue to iron for another 10 to 20 seconds, if necessary.
The beads are melted correctly when the parchment paper sticks a bit and you have to peel it up.
Leave the Perler bead bug on the pegboard until it’s cool to the touch.
Once removed, place it under a stack of heavy books so it doesn’t warp as it cools completely.
Your Perler bead bee is complete!
Now have fun making even more Perler bead bugs using our free, printable patterns.

Video

Notes

Looking for more Perler bead fun? Check out other printable patterns:

Perler Bead Butterfly

Flower Perler Bead Patterns

Perler Bead Fish