Thread: which needle do you use

when beading? I'm using bugle beads, and the needle that I currently have isn't strong enough to go through multiple layers of fabic.

Thanks!

I use beading needles, but I'm typically not sewing through multiple layers, just the top layers.

I have found an embroidery needle to be strong enough to bead through a bra and small enough to go through most beads (though not all).

I know of two kinds of beading needles--one is like a regular needle, only much thinner and longer, and the other is basically a very fine twisted loop of wire. The second kind would barely be up to the task of going through a piece of cheesecloth, so I assume you're using the first kind. The problem is that any needle that is narrow enough to go through bugles or seed beads is going to have to be very thin, and as such, it isn't going to possess the constitution to power through a lot of thick layers. It's possible that more expensive beading needles will be more resilient or that somewhere out there you could find some sort of state-of-the-art microsurgery needles that would be up to the task, but I don't know. I think usually crafters minimize the layers on that portion of their projects, or do their beading as appliques, or simply resign themselves to chewing through packs and packs of needles. If you have a small area that is difficult (like an edge where you have fabric + turn under), you might be able to wangle a technique where you used a toothless jeweler's pliers to push and pull the needle through the layers up close, but this would be horribly time consuming for a whole project. Have you tried asking in a beaders' forum?

Thanks for the responses. I haven't asked a beaders' forum, as I figured Bhuzzers with sewing experience could help me out.

What I'm using is a really thin, long needle, and it's great so far for fringe making. I'm mainly concerned about the bra cup embellishments. I plan to bead along the edges where there are typically more layers of fabric.

I'm really new at this.

Is it possible to just sew through the fabric layer on the bra? I guess it would be just a matter of pulling the fabric away from the bra cup as I sew into it, right?. The fabric is stretchy, so that's do-able.

Any other suggestions for a newbie would be greatly appreciated :)

Yes, you can bead through the entire mass of the bra. Make sure that the needle is sharp. Be prepared to change needles frequently.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by xodinahox

I'm mainly concerned about the bra cup embellishments. I plan to bead along the edges where there are typically more layers of fabric.[...] Is it possible to just sew through the fabric layer on the bra? I guess it would be just a matter of pulling the fabric away from the bra cup as I sew into it, right?. The fabric is stretchy, so that's do-able.

This would be when the jeweler's pliers will help. You have to control the tools very closely--don't go more than 1/4" up the needle on either side of the fabric when pushing/pulling through with the pliers, until you have enough control to pull it the rest of the way with your fingers. It shouldn't be hard to find round-nose or needle-nose pliers without teeth (teeth will scrape up the needle too badly and catch on the fabric). Most craft stores will sell inexpensive ones.

You might be able to separate the outer fabric layer, or sew superficially (without going all the way through). You'd have to experiment with that. What are the other layers of the bra? If they are some sort of molded foam, you might not want to sew through anyway, since that will affect the integrity of the cups. Generally speaking, you don't want to do a lot of heavy beading on stretchy fabric without reinforcing it with another layer. The elasticity will degrade over time, more so if there is a lot of weight pulling on it. I still think your best bet may be to bead on something else (like ribbon or non-iron seam binding) for your edging. Not only will it be easier to sew your new trim to a bra than wrestle with beading directly on it, but you can always repurpose the beading on another costume if you want to change the look without redoing all the work.

I just recently used a normal sewing needle to make bugle beads and another bead into a fringe. It went through 90% of the bugle beads and being a normal needle, was strong enough to go through the cups, too, but I did use the needlenose pliers after the first few trips through.

I use quilting needles because they are designed to go through layers of fabric. I don't like using the beading needles, for me quilting ones are my preference

Alrana