Thread: Estimating how many beads needed to make Egyptian fringe

Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I've decided to make my own Egyptian fringe for a costume belt. I have the bead spinner, crochet hook and Shira's directions ready to go, but no beads yet. I'm looking to make 4-5" long fringe, but have no idea how many beads to order. I don't want to end up with too many, but if I have too few and need to match color, that's going to get tricky.

Any estimations for how many seed beads I'll need? Any suggestions that use pounds, grams, or ounces would be especially helpful, as that's what the bead sellers use to base their package sizes on. Thanks!

Why on earth would you want to do this?
But if you insist ;)
Probably the best way to guestimate is to have someone weigh skeens of pre-made Egyptian fringe and order slightly more beads, by weight.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by najla86

Any estimations for how many seed beads I'll need? Any suggestions that use pounds, grams, or ounces would be especially helpful, as that's what the bead sellers use to base their package sizes on. Thanks!

I weighed the skein I had of 4"x40" fringe bead and it was 162g or 5 3/4oz but... the fringe I have is rather thin and I plan on doubling it so I would also double that weight for a nice thick fringe of the same size.

There's a little talk about fringe weight here, too. Recreating Amani's vintage overskirt o' fringe

Don't forget if you're matching the fringe to some other part of the costume (you're integrating them into your applique work, or if you're also covering the base with sequins), you'll need extra beads for that.

How wide do you want? As in, 40 " for the bottom of a belt and 9 " for the bra.

I finally started, and so far so good! Where has that bead spinner been all my life?

Originally Posted by najla86

I don't want to end up with too many, but if I have too few and need to match color, that's going to get tricky.

You can have too many beads? (don't listen to me, my loft is about to collapse under the weight of unused fabric, beads & trim.)

Originally Posted by najla86

Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I've decided to make my own Egyptian fringe for a costume belt. I have the bead spinner, crochet hook and Shira's directions ready to go, but no beads yet. I'm looking to make 4-5" long fringe, but have no idea how many beads to order. I don't want to end up with too many, but if I have too few and need to match color, that's going to get tricky.

Any estimations for how many seed beads I'll need? Any suggestions that use pounds, grams, or ounces would be especially helpful, as that's what the bead sellers use to base their package sizes on. Thanks!

get a kilo of each color, type of bead being used...i had to rip out beads due to the dye lot not being the same . from then on, i order a kilo of each..i have been mending with the proper color that matches

How many beads to make Egyptian fringe? The answer is: Too many!

Originally Posted by zamora

get a kilo of each color, type of bead being used...i had to rip out beads due to the dye lot not being the same . from then on, i order a kilo of each..i have been mending with the proper color that matches

I agree. A kilo of each color. Depending on how much fringe you are making plan on a kilo for the bra and a kilo for the belt.