Thread: sources for beads

I beaded some fringe with upholstery thread, but it broke after a single night.

So I beaded it with plastic beading thread...and it broke after a single night.

So I beaded it with dental floss...and it broke after a single night.

I'm thinking it's not a thread issue, especially since my dental floss looked kind of frayed.

Maybe my beads (cheapies from Walmart & Hobby Lobby) are rough on the inside?

Can anyone suggest a good online source for beads that won't break my thread? I need black bugle beads, gold rocailles, and glass pearls. If the bugle beads had a slightly larger ID than normal (the better to get my dental floss thru) that would be a nice bonus!

Thanks.

P.S. The bugles I use are extra-long (maybe a half-inch). I thread them with the rocailles in between them. Is it possible that extra-long bugles are more subject to breakage and that I should switch to shorter beads?

I use Fire Mountain Gems, but Shipwreck Beads is also a good source. I'm sure others have additional recommendations.

Bugle beads are notorious for cutting through thread. More expensive beads that have fire-polished edges will not be as chewy, but even if you use less expensive beads, you can control breakage by working with a more durable thread like Wild Fire or Dandy Line, and by making sure you don't pull the thread too tightly. The decision to use longer or shorter beads is mostly aesthetic. Shorter beads tend to have more flow to their hang, but bugles string up faster.

I'm not as familiar with the Shipwreck web site, but Fire Mountain has an information section with lots of helpful tips for whatever kind of beadwork you're doing. Ask the Experts: Previous Questions & Answers - Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Thanks Torbeau!

Fire Mountain and Shipwreck are both great. Since all you strands are breaking is it possible your stitches are a bit too tight? When I first started beading I used tight stitches. Once I allowed a bit of slack in each stitch my work seemed stronger. When doing flat beadwork I would add 3 knots after a few stitches. Of course I knotted between each strand of fringe. I stay away from dental floss. I know how it shreds when I floss my teeth, I certainly do not want that in my beadwork.

I rub my thread over a candle or a product called "thread magic" to give it extra coating, this may help you.

Hey there, Juniper! Another thing you might also want to try (if you aren't already) is double-threading your fringe. Basically, the way to do that is, rather than stringing your beads and tying a knot at the bottom, string the beads, skip the last bead, and take your bead needle back up through the string of fringe, tying a large knot on the base of your belt, bra, skirt, whatever. This way, there are TWO strands of thread going through each piece of fringe, making each piece more durable. PLUS, you have the added bonus of not having those unsightly bits of thread hanging off of every piece of fringe, just WAITING to come undone and shower your audience with beads.

Best of luck, and I hope that helps!