Best Thread.... for beading

[salsabelly]

I just wanted to ask a quick question. What thread should I use for my beading? I'm excited to do more, but I want to make sure I'm using sturdy stuff.

[eshtabellydance]

hmmmmm
everyone has their own ideas about this. I personally use denim weight thread and double it. But I know people who use heavy beading thread, dental floss, crochet thread, tatting thread, embroidery floss.
In Egypt they just use regular thread but wrap it 4 times through the needle. But in the older costumes I see a lot of denim thread. It's hard to find but it's cheap and lasts forever! The only drawback is that it comes in limited colors. Ever wonder why the underside of your beaded costume has thread that doesn't match? Like in yellow, cream or black? That's why! Hope this helps =)

[salsabelly]

Thanks SO much!! I HAVE noticed that. Crazy. I'll look for some. Is it hard to thread the needle?

[Roeska]

I have used carpet or upholstery thread, and it sometimes is a pain to thread the needle. (I usually use a small hand sewing needle, so those are hard to thread with thick thread.) I use one of those needle threaders. I haven't used a beading needle on any thick/sturdy material, only one layer of regular fabric.

I'm interested what others use...

[Lesedi]

I use button thread when I can find beading needles w/ eyes that are big enough. Otherwise, I use heavy duty hand quilting polyester thread (doesn't come in many colors either).

[lylagus]

I've used button craft thread and run it over beeswax to keep it from knotting up to much. It also makes it easier to thread. I will say though i'm not an expert beader.

[1shadylady]

I use nymo thread that I get from a bead shop or fire mountain. I haven't tried it on fringe yet, but that's the next stop for me.

[salsabelly]

Thanks all of you. I'll be watching this for more suggestions. : )

[eshtabellydance]

I use these really long 2 1/2" custom needles which have longer eyes and go through about 90% of all beads. So I only use a beading needle on the micro beads. I am not sure where to get denim thread online but a quick google search turned up this:
Welcome to ThreadAndMore's Website!
My denim thread is on a giant cone. By COATS AND CLARK 600O YDS for about $3 The weight is T-60 which apparently is very important to know. I only have it in cream, yellow and black.

[Tourbeau]

I use beading thread. I prefer the twisted kind (as opposed to the kind that frays apart like dental floss). If you are sewing sharp-ended beads (e.g., bugles) and want something unusually sturdy, I'd recommend DandyLine--you can hardly cut that stuff with a scissors, so it is very break resistant.

[Elibelinde]

I use these really long 2 1/2" custom needles which have longer eyes and go through about 90% of all beads. So I only use a beading needle on the micro beads. I am not sure where to get denim thread online but a quick google search turned up this:
Welcome to ThreadAndMore's Website!
My denim thread is on a giant cone. By COATS AND CLARK 600O YDS for about $3 The weight is T-60 which apparently is very important to know. I only have it in cream, yellow and black.

Where did you get your needles? I have an awful time getting thread that's sturdy enough for fringes through an ordinary beading needle so I got the "large eye" needles which is fine if you're just stringing but of course they are too dull to put through the fabric. Usually I crochet my fringes anyway but sometimes I want to sew one right on the belt/bra.

Help!

Thanks!..g.:

[Elibelinde]

I use beading thread. I prefer the twisted kind (as opposed to the kind that frays apart like dental floss). If you are sewing sharp-ended beads (e.g., bugles) and want something unusually sturdy, I'd recommend DandyLine--you can hardly cut that stuff with a scissors, so it is very break resistant.

Aha. Is this strong enough for fringes?

[eshtabellydance]

I can't really help you with that. I buy them from a supplier in LA. They don't have tags or labels on the packages. I buy them by the dozen. It's about $5 for one dz.

[Tourbeau]

Aha. Is this strong enough for fringes?

I can't imagine a beaded fringe for costuming that it couldn't hold. The lightest/thinnest weight they sell is Extra Fine, and it's rated at 10 lbs per strand for breakage. Maybe if you were making door curtains out of big, heavy beads, you could get to that weight per strand, but not a dance costume. Fringe that heavy wouldn't move well, and you'd be covered in welts if it did!

Beadalon - DandyLine™

[tahiradancer]

I use cotton thread or Quilting thread which most of the time is cotton, also. But agreed. Limited colours can be a problem.

{{{HUGS}}}

[firefly5]

I use polyester upholstery thread, or nymo. I generally avoid pure cotton thread because it can rot eventually, and I find it breaks more easily when I'm sewing.

[Elibelinde]

I can't imagine a beaded fringe for costuming that it couldn't hold. The lightest/thinnest weight they sell is Extra Fine, and it's rated at 10 lbs per strand for breakage. Maybe if you were making door curtains out of big, heavy beads, you could get to that weight per strand, but not a dance costume. Fringe that heavy wouldn't move well, and you'd be covered in welts if it did!

Beadalon - DandyLine™

Awesome, thank you!

[Elibelinde]

I can't really help you with that. I buy them from a supplier in LA. They don't have tags or labels on the packages. I buy them by the dozen. It's about $5 for one dz.

Thank you!

I don't suppose I could wheedle the name of the supplier?..g.:

I have an AWFUL time trying to get the heavy thread into the beading needles...cr.:

[Doozer]

This is the best 'thread' for beading, *snort* (ducks and runs)!

Yep, it's been a long day. Geeky word play and puns abound.

[salsabelly]

..g.:

[maurazebra]

Our MEDSOK beading expert prefers Fireline above all others and that is what she teaches with. She says she finds it in the sporting goods departments as fishing line.

Okay, here's a short explanation from Bead Pattern Central:
You can use beading nylon such as Nymo or C-lon for beads that don’t have sharp edges. Ordinary sewing thread works well with seed beads. For crystals or metal beads, you can use fireline or Toho beading thread, which is less prone to being cut by sharp bead edges.

[maiaraqs]

I can't really help you with that. I buy them from a supplier in LA. They don't have tags or labels on the packages. I buy them by the dozen. It's about $5 for one dz.

Eshta, I see a new marketing opportunity for you :)

Most of us would be thrilled to get our hands on some professional-level tools -- I don't make costumes from scratch but I'm always having to repair or reconfigure bras and belts and having the right tools -- like needles -- would make it so much easier.

Just sayin'

[eshtabellydance]

I am always willing to hook people up. If you want something and are willing to send me a couple extra bucks for my time and shipping I will gladly get hard to find stuff for you.