Beading on Fabric, part 1

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Adding to sewn projects adds a bit of a lightweight fabric in preparation for "bling," and it's easy even for beginners. beading, fusible slightly larger than the design area and adhere it to Types, Size and Weight the fabric wrong side. Cut the interfacing Long popular with with to soften the edges. hand beaders, To cover a large area with minimal weight, glass beads come space small groups of beads over the in a wide selection surface (3). For even coverage, mark a grid of sizes, shapes on the fabric. a cluster at each and colors. Seed gridline intersection. beads, bugles and pressed glass beads are particularly needle-friendly (1). When choosing (1) seed beads, the larger the number, the smaller the bead. Size 10/0 or 11/0 seed beads are widely available in craft and fabric stores (3) but you may need a specialty retailer for other sizes. To Shape achieve the most (2) Rounded seed beads and tubular bugle detail in dense, pictorial beading use the beads are ideal for hand . The holes smallest beads (2). If uniformity of size and are relatively large in relation to the wall shape is important to the success of your thickness, so they can be stitched with a design, choose high-quality beads. minimal amount of Semi-precious stones tend to be heavier showing. Large than glass. They're typically drilled for beads with small stringing but the smallest versions are holes are drilled stitchable. Wooden, plastic and shell beads for stringing. are usually more lightweight than glass. They incorporate are virtually weightless and the nicely into fringe bling can easily dominate a motif. To create (4); but when a more subdued shimmering effect, stitch a sewn to cloth small bead through the hole of a clear tend to arch to reflect light. awkwardly away from the surface that's too heavy for the cloth revealing a may cause unattractive drag on a garment distracting (4) or accessory. In sufficient numbers, even amount of tiny seed beads can be weighty. To firm up thread. Beading on Fabric, part 1

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When selecting odd-shaped beads, be sure to examine eye just large enough for threading. Choose a beading the direction of the hole. Long skinny beads with holes needle as a last resort if you can't find a regular needle drilled across one end (rather than through the length) to fit the holes. Specialty beading needles tend to be usually won't lie flat when sewn. Flat, disc-shaped beads very flexible, easily broken and are more difficult to make interesting foundations for stacking with smaller thread because they have very narrow eyes. beads. Stitch them in the same manner as sequins. Marking Coloration and Colorfastness Always test a marking device on an inconspicuous area Beads are created and colored by a variety of of the project to make sure it won’t show after beading. manufacturing methods. The coloration of a bead may Design lines may be drawn free-hand, carbon-traced be the result of that's infused throughout the from a printed drawing, penciled through a stencil or raw material, from a tinted inside the hole of a stitched through a removable template. Air- and water- clear or semi-transparent bead, from a surface-applied soluble pens or chalk pencils can be used for free-hand dye or paint, or from a galvanized coating. Always drawing or for tracing a stencil. Be sure to test a chalk audition beads against the fabric you plan to stitch marker to make sure the lines won't brush away before them to. Semi-transparent and color-lined beads that stitching is complete. To transfer a drawing, it the look beautiful against skin don't necessarily show fabric and then slip tracing carbon beneath. over a dark or busy fabric background. Trace over the design lines with a dull pencil or stylus. Before beading a washable garment or accessory, be When pencil or chalk won't show on a dark-color or sure to test the beads for colorfastness by soaking a napped fabric, use an indirect marking method. Trace sample of each separately in a small amount of water the design lines onto a removable template of tissue overnight. Beads that bleed are unsuitable. Even if the or lightweight tear-away stabilizer. Hand baste it water in each sample appears clear, drain the beads and to the fabric. Bead over the drawing, sewing through rub them dry with a white facial tissue to make sure. If the template and fabric as one (make sure each stitch color rubs off, reject them. For washable and dry- catches through the cloth). After beading the dominant cleanable projects alike, rub beads over an emery board design lines, remove the basting stitches and carefully to test for resistance to abrasion. Galvanized beads are tear the template away from the beading stitches. highly prized for their metallic luster but they scratch Complete the project by filling in the outlines. easily. A knowledgeable bead vendor should be able to For the computer-savvy beader working on a washable advise on the durability of a bead finish. project, there's a nifty variation on the indirect marking Thread method. Using an ink-jet printer, print copyright-free artwork onto water-soluble computer-printable paper. High-quality polyester sewing thread is a good choice Intended for the technique of paper piecing, for sewing beads onto fabric. It's readily available, user- it's available where supplies are sold. Cut out friendly, and easily matched to a project. Nymo, a nylon the image, leaving a 1/4" margin all around. Hand baste beading thread, is available in a limited color range at it to the fabric. Bead through the paper and fabric as specialty suppliers. Although stronger than sewing one; and then follow the manufacturer's directions for thread, it's slippery to handle and difficult to get dissolving the paper. through the eye of a needle. A thread conditioner helps control tangling of all types and adds strength. Take Care Bugle beads are notorious for sharp edges that cut Before beading a washable item, be sure to launder it through thread. It helps to cushion each end with a first to address any shrinkage issues. Plan to care for the . finished project by hand washing. To support the Needles weight of the beading, dry the item flat. Whenever hole size permits, use a long (approx 1 1/2") fine (size #10-12) regular hand with an 10/07