Thread: How to do basic beading

Hi, OK I am consider by many be a very good seamstress but trying to repair beading on the edges of costumes is driving me crazy. I can't figure it out. Is there a thread on bhuz already on how to do the basic, like 7 beads, then they kind of wrap around? Any youtube tutorials? I just don't get why I don't get it!

I see such beautiful work here and I want to do that too.

For edging beading (or any beading which requires several beads) I get a small dish and dip the needle in. This usually will net me 5 - 7 seed beads at a time. Then it's a matter of getting familiar with the distance where the thread wraps around the edge of the fabric. I know others who use a bead spinner to help with this.

{{{HUGS}}}

Gives a lot of technique for beadembroidery

Originally Posted by klazina

Gives a lot of technique for beadembroidery

Hi what gives a lot of details?

Both but I like the bead embroidery basics bead east.
With these video I learned to do my bedlah.

I think I can explain the basic beading for edging you are talking about. Let's see if I can attach a diagram explaining.... Can't do it.

Basically along the edge of your fabric or whatever you're beading. Bring your needle up through the fabric at where you want the beading to begin. We will call this point A. String 6 or 7 beads onto your thread, put the needle back down through the fabric at a distance far enough so the beads are in a straight line. This is point B. You're going to creat a new point A which will begin right in the middle of the first bead run. Usually in the middle of beads 3 and 4 if you're using 6 beads. String 6 more beads onto the thread and go back down at your new point B which should be approximately 3 beads past the end of your original point B. The next point A will come up at your original point B. The beads will naturally twist themselves into a nice rope if you come up through and down through the fabric at equal distances from the edge of the fabric. Try to make each bead run very similar in length.

Thanks for sharing this video!!!!!! :)

Yolanda, I emailed you a diagram trying to better explain my instructions. Hopefully that helps.

Originally Posted by shahla

Yolanda, I emailed you a diagram trying to better explain my instructions. Hopefully that helps.

Oh! THANK YOU! I really appreciate you taking the time. One day I will be able to post a costume hand beaded by me!

Originally Posted by klazina

Both but I like the bead embroidery basics bead east.
With these video I learned to do my bedlah.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Originally Posted by Yolanda

Oh! THANK YOU! I really appreciate you taking the time. One day I will be able to post a costume hand beaded by me!

Like!

Isn't there a style of beaded edging that wraps around a narrow hem like a looser candy cane stripe, too? In Shahla's notation, I think this would mean A and B are on opposite sides of the fabric. I don't think this style is used much anymore--it was mostly back in the day of the chiffon circle skirts.

These are two more styles of edging from Shira's site:
http://www.shira.net/costuming/sewin...embroidery.htm
http://www.shira.net/costuming/sewin...-paillette.htm

Oh, thanks so much for posting the original question and all the wonderful answers! I too have been struggling to figure out basic beading. I've quilted and embroidered by hand since I was very young but the beading thing is a whole different animal.

I you guys!

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

Isn't there a style of beaded edging that wraps around a narrow hem like a looser candy cane stripe, too? In Shahla's notation, I think this would mean A and B are on opposite sides of the fabric. I don't think this style is used much anymore--it was mostly back in the day of the chiffon circle skirts.

Yes, you're right. It's sort of like what I was describing, but the beads end up on both sides of the fabric. You still see beaded hem like that on lyrcra and chiffon skirts.
You bring up the needle at point A, put a sequin and about a dozen seed beads on the thread. Then you wrap the threaded beads around the edge of the hem and come back up through the fabric and repeat. In this method, the bead runs do not overlap themselves like the previous method I described. I've never used this method for anything but finishing an edge like a hem or the open slit on a skirt, harems or sleeves.

Great thread! Thanks for asking the question, Yolanda. I've always wondered how some dancers are able to make the most exquisite hand-beaded costumes. Now that I know the technique though, I'm pretty positive that I'll never be making my own costume. Way too impatient :o) Interesting videos, though.

Originally Posted by shahla

Yolanda, I emailed you a diagram trying to better explain my instructions. Hopefully that helps.

Please can you send the diagram, or put it up for us to see.
I am more a visual kind of girl.
Thank you.

Originally Posted by klazina

Please can you send the diagram, or put it up for us to see.
I am more a visual kind of girl.
Thank you.

I can email it to you if you give me your email address. I wasn't able to post the picture here.

Klazina thank-you for posting the videos. Now I know what I want my next projects to be.

Originally Posted by shahla

I can email it to you if you give me your email address. I wasn't able to post the picture here.

My email is zenobia@kpnplanet.nl
Thanks

Hi Yolanda. A good hands-on approach is to take apart the beading of some costume that you want to resize or repurpose, even a spare headband. I had a belt that was too big and dreaded the thought of taking it apart. When I took the beads off, I found that I could still faintly see the needle holes from the original beading of the "rope" edges and that gave me the sense of spacing that was required. This was particularily useful when going around corners smoothly, which is tricky. I'm no expert but this helped me get my mind around the concept. Even taking it apart showed where threads go, how tight they are and how many beads used. Good luck and have fun with it.

Originally Posted by xochitl

Hi Yolanda. A good hands-on approach is to take apart the beading of some costume that you want to resize or repurpose, even a spare headband. I had a belt that was too big and dreaded the thought of taking it apart. When I took the beads off, I found that I could still faintly see the needle holes from the original beading of the "rope" edges and that gave me the sense of spacing that was required. This was particularily useful when going around corners smoothly, which is tricky. I'm no expert but this helped me get my mind around the concept. Even taking it apart showed where threads go, how tight they are and how many beads used. Good luck and have fun with it.

Hi, thanks for the advice. I have some straps that need help.

Originally Posted by Yolanda

Hi what gives a lot of details?

click the play button on the picture - its a video.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

click the play button on the picture - its a video.

When I first asked the question the video link was not showing up. I figured it out.