beading

by Teresa
(Aurora, CO USA)

I read your instructions on attaching beads - thank you!

Do you knot the thread before and after? Or do you just secure the thread ends through the cross stitch on the back? Also, should you do them at the very end, or as you work through each quarter piece?

I am VERY new to beading, so any feedback/helpful tips are appreciated!

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Beading and Cross Stitch
by: Debbie Rice

For most projects where beads are just embellishing some areas or doing things like being eyeballs of birds/bugs or pollen area of flowers: when making the top leg of your cross stitch -- bring needle to top of fabric, thread bead onto needle and then complete last leg of cross stitch. Threads stop and start just like for normal cross stitch.

Some 28 count petite tapestry needles will fit a normal (not petite) Mill Hill glass seed bead; mostly you'll need to switch needle to a #10 beading needle.

Some other beading things:

If you just have to put one or two beads on your piece, don't bother switching to a hard to thread beading needle. Bring regular needle up to front of fabric to start completing last leg, take needle off and just put thread through bead and then back onto needle. Life goes on without the needle switch (and a very irritating way to do if you have lots of beads to attach).

If you do need beads to be perfectly in a straight line or rectangle (almost never in cross stitch projects), to make sure they all perfectly face the same way:

(1) bring needle up to start first leg of cross stitch, add bead, go down loosely to finish first leg

(2) bring needle up for second leg of cross and pass through same bead, tighten and finish last leg.

If you have a bead off somewhere all by itself with no stitches nearby (for example a navy/black fabric with some beads spread out to make "stars" or "snowflakes)", knot before and after beading onto a single cross stitch to attach (try to keep knots small and definitely behind the bead). It's not like bead isn't lumpy anyway where anyone can spot the small knot.

For beads added to stitches, use thread color pattern calls for. For beads out on their own, use thread that matches bead or fabric color; they sell an invisible thread that is a pain to work with (feels like fishing line). Wichelt's website lists DMC color numbers next to their fabric colors and has a DMC chart to match beads at http://www.wichelt.com/freegraphs/pdf.html?pdf=bead_to_dmc_conversion.pdf&title=Bead%20to%20DMC%20Conversion

Mill Hill books and kits are going to show you dozens of methods; a good diagram is at bottom of this page: http://homepage.mac.com/cfitzgerald/Needle/embroid.html

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needlework beading

by L. Corrigan
(Canada)

I am doing the needlework entitled "Earthdancer" by butternut road.

I purchased the 28 count prairie grain linen the pattern called for and also the beads called for. I am having a problem. It looks like the beads do not fit or maybe I am putting them on wrong. The first 3 rows of the necklace went well but they overlap now and I don't seem able to get them to fit. I can't find anyone in my area that can help me. If anyone out there has done this work or knows how to bead would you please help me.

thank you so much.

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Needlework beading help needed

by Linda
(Ohio)

needlework beading
by L. Corrigan
(Canada)

As L. Corrigan (Canada) I am doing the needlework entitled "Earthdancer" by butternut road.

I purchased a 28 count linen in a sky blue and also the beads called for. I am having the same problem as L. Corrigan. It looks like the beads do not fit.

I'm not sure also that I am doing this correctly. The first couple of rows of the necklace went well but they overlap now and don't seem to "sit" right. I don't seem able to get them to fit. Do you have any tips or techniques that could help me. If anyone out there has done this work or knows of how to bead would you please help me.

Thanks!!!

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BEADING TIP
by: Anonymous

Linda
Have you heard of a web site called Herrschners?
Go there and click on to how to video's there's one on brading with stitching help and techniques
that your looking for.Hope that helps you out'

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Embroidering with pearls

(Anton)

Hi there,

I am a complete novice when it comes to embroidering. Since I have access to pearls in all sizes I want to try to sow them to the black abaya (overcoats) all ladies have to wear in Saudi Arabia. Some of them are just gorgeous with stones and sequences. What is the best stitch to use to attach pearls to garments please?

Thank you for the excellent site.

Best regards from the land of sand
Anton

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Embroidering with pearls
by: Donna

Hi, it depends where the holes are located on your pearls and how you want them to lay. For center holes I use clear, monofilament thread then attach going through the center making a plus sign ➕ I use a different approach based on where the holes are drilled.
Hope you have it figured out and are creating wearable art:)

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bead attachment

by Luz Acosta
(Tracy Ca )

I need to attach my beads to my finished cross stitch but I'm not sure how. It says, "all beads are attached with a cross stitch. Go through each bead twice so it lay vertically."

Would you have a picture sample? the beads are so small and they want to use two strands. Go through each treasure twice so that the channeled hole lays vertical.

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Beading instructions
by: Carol

I cover attaching beads to your cross stitch on a page on this site.

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bead attachment
by: Michelle

I agree with what the previous poster said but I never use embroidery thread to attach mine.

I have read different charts that say to either use thread the same color as the background material or the same color as the bead. I myself like to use clear nylon thread that you can pick up at any craft store. It is on a spool like regular sewing matching thread.

Happy stitching!

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Bead Attachment
by: Valerie Kalyani

I would not use two threads unless the holes in the beads are large enough to do this without it being difficult.

You do a cross stitch, including the bead in the stitch.

Start by coming up in the cloth, string one bead, go down in the opposite corner just like you were stitching with no bead. Do not pull it too tight or it will draw up the cloth; do not work too loosely either or the bead will flop around when you done.

Come up in the next hole of the stitch. Run the needle through the bead again, then down into the last hole of the stitch.

Your bead is now attached and will lie in a uniform fashion on your work.

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