I did a small CQ cushion. Instead of hand embroidery, I used the fancy stitches on my sewing machine (metallic thread and some bobbin work.) This was done before sandwiching up (because of the bobbin work). The beading was done last because I was worried I would hit one with the needle. I finished it off by machining a glass bead fringe that was on a ribbon, "birthed" it, stuffed it and slip stitched the opening closed.
HettyB