Thread: making your own beaded fringe

I'm thinking about making some beaded fringe. Any advice as to what type of thread to use, etc. I don't want beads flying everywhere!
..g.:

I use either button thread or fishing line. I know that fishing line sounds weird but it is pretty cheep, is invisible and it has a lot of strength. I you are using really light beads though, it may take some time for the fishing line to relax and uncoil so it is not so kinky looking.

Hmmmm. Hadn't thought of fishing line.

I ordered large spools of beading thread from shipwreckbeads.com a couple years ago - still haven't used it all. When I bead fringe I go down through ribbon (if making fringe on a ribbon or directly through costume fabric), through beads, back up through beads, and back through ribbon, make a knot, and repeat so each strand has it's own knot. When finished I put a blob of glue on each knot to secure it more. Have fun!! I tried fishing line but found that the knots would slip. Dental floss is quite strong also.

Surida, I like the idea of using the ribbon. Even though it would probably take longer I think doing it the way you described is the way to go for me.

you can also try carpet thread.

a tip: bugle beads make for fast fringe-making, but the cut edges will wear through the thread faster and eventually break more. use round-edged seed beads, or short seed bead-sized cut bugles, or put a seed beed between the longer bugles to act as 'hinges.' and don't forget to knot after each strand!

After taking apart a couple of Egyptian bedlahs, I have taken to using regular 100% cotton thread. Bugle beads do, indeed cut into the thread after a time, but if you are in a hurry, they work wel. the only thing I have to contribute is that you can tie a sead bead at the bottom of the thread of fringe. this helps to stop any slippage of the knot.

{{{HUGS}}}

I made fringe using seed beeds and found it went faster than with bugles. The seed beads I used were pre-threaded on a (very) thin thread and the of the threads of the bead strings tied in one big knot. I found I could easily pull one end of the thread out of the knot and, keeping the beads on the original thread, push the beading needle into more than an inch of seed beads, pull out the original thin thread, then slide the inch plus of seed beeds down onto the heavier thread I was using for beading.

When I got very adept at this, I could transfer a couple inches of seed beads onto the beading needle at a time.

Amen that seed beads don't cut the thread; I never had a problem with fringe (or beads) breaking on that costume.

I use nail polish to secure the knots; I find it soaks into the thread quicker than glue. I usually use clear but if I can match the beads, I use colored.

I made some with carpet thread and yes...tie of each strand!

i think seed beads are quicker because I just use a long needle and get a big bowl of beads and dip it randomly. The beeds do actually get on the needle this way if you do it in a scooping motion. It was much quicker. You just need to have a lot of beads. I typically will put a accent bead on the bottom so I take the thread through that bead once, then all the beads at the top have both ends of the thread through it.....
does this make sense?
there is a web site to show you ideas somewhere... I will look

carpet thread, wax your thread first, always use rochelle beads on each end of the fringe since they are smooth and round they won't cut through like bugle beads.n I usually use 2 pieces of thread, so when knotted I have 4 strands, waxed.

Whatever you do, bead over a large piece of white felt (unless your beads are white)! Your beads won't be rolling all over the place...
Best piece of advice I ever got. ;0)

Originally Posted by Azhia

Whatever you do, bead over a large piece of white felt (unless your beads are white)! Your beads won't be rolling all over the place...
Best piece of advice I ever got. ;0)

I usualy put a large beach towel on the table, but the ideal of white felt is also a super tip! Thanks Azhia!

The guy at the place where I buy the thread for beading, suggested me to use extra-strong thread that is use to sew jeans. It works but I have a hard time passing it through the hole of the very, very thin needle I use for very, very small beads! Ouch! my eyes! ..c::

Qamar

Originally Posted by Azhia

Whatever you do, bead over a large piece of white felt (unless your beads are white)! Your beads won't be rolling all over the place...
Best piece of advice I ever got. ;0)

That's a wonderful suggestion. I hate playing "Hide & Seek" with seed beads. lol

Just an FYI about fishing line- a lot of that stuff is now water soluble, so check the label...

Hi there,

Yes, I agree. It iz a traditional Native American method when beading to use two piecez of leather (one dark & one light, about 8-10" square) I use white for darker beadz and black for lighter colored beadz. U use the softer/suede side to lay the beads on. A lot of us also bring a traditional beadboard to PowWowz & such. It iz usu. just a simple piece of pine, cut about 12" by 20" (or as long as u prefer). It iz meant to be a portable table for ur beadwork :)

If u open this link, u can look at the back cover of a book whose bottom photo showz what I mean. I hths someone.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tradi...1667241&sr=1-1

"Whatever you do, bead over a large piece of white felt (unless your beads are white)! Your beads won't be rolling all over the place...
Best piece of advice I ever got. ;0)"

I used to make all my own fringe and I use fine or medium rot resistant beading thread. I ether use hex cut seeds or small twisted bugles jointed with round seeds. I sit there in front of the TV and have a small bowl on a tray, I pre cut lengths of thread, pop a soft, slightly heavier round bead on the thread, double it and pass both through the needle. I then add the required number of beads on (yes I count them) and when I am done, I have a 'tail' of a couple of inches of beading thread out the top. Once I have a significant pile I then transfer to a quilting needle (shorter and bigger eye) and attach each strand to a grosgrain ribbon. I make sure I tie a proper double knot and then dab clear nail polish over the top. I think I have maybe lost one or two strands in years of dancing with this method so it works for me! I have found though that the better quality the bead, the better the result all up and less chance of breakage. The only brands I will use now are Miyuki and Toho.

When I made my own fringe, I used a bead spinner, and I found it much preferable to my previous method of licking my finger, sticking the beads to it, then transferring to the needle!