What happened to the "what are you working on" thread.

Andrea2 · 06-05-2007, 12:33 PM

Everyone is making beautiful things! I have a question about beading, though. This will probably sound silly, but how do you sew them on? The problem I have is that if I use strong enough thread so that it doesn't break easily I can't get the needle with the thread through the bead. There just isn't enough room in the holes of the seed beads and bugle beads. If I don't use a needle to go through the beads, then it seems like I only get one thread through while the other one bunches up at the bottom of the bead. Please solve the mystery!

Surida · 06-05-2007, 01:16 PM

Are you using needles made specifically for beading? Beading needles are very thin and longer than regular sewing needles. Also with very thick thread you may want to use a single strand not double. Good luck!

Andrea2 · 06-05-2007, 02:05 PM

I haven't tried a beading needle. They looked too flimsy to go into the base fabric. I thought they were for doing flatwork or weaving. Is this the key?

Surida · 06-05-2007, 02:22 PM

I've had luck with the beading needles but I only went through all the layers of fabric for beginning and end for knots. For most of the beading I only sew through the top layer.

What do the rest of the beaders out there do?

Lauren_ · 06-05-2007, 02:38 PM

I use a beading needle, usually. But I have to get one of my kids to thread the cursed thing for me, I can barely see it!

I find that it slides through the base fabric pretty well, just because it's sooooo sharp and small that it slides through microscopic spaces in the weave. But, like Surida, I rarely try to go through more than one layer of fabric.

ozma · 06-05-2007, 04:47 PM

On major projects I go through a few beading needles.

Something like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...e/IMG_3432.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...e/IMG_3434.jpg

Probably ate about 4-5 beading needles, but I think that cursing and shaking my fists is part of the creative process.

mihnea · 06-06-2007, 07:25 AM

I use very small quilting needles to sew on beads. I also usually don't use seed beads smaller than around 11/0. I also try to use uphostery thread, which is thicker than all purpose and doesn't fray so much. I usually get an assorted pack of the quilting needles and pick one that the beads will go over.

ozma · 06-07-2007, 04:00 AM

Garish and fun tribaret in progress.

ozma · 06-15-2007, 07:41 PM

More silly tribaret progress.

Samirah-NH · 06-15-2007, 08:05 PM

Ozma, I love your tribaret set! Very eclectic.

With my sewing skills (or lack thereof) and often arthritic-feeling fingers, I'm not quite up to tackling a bra or belt project just yet. But I just finished making my own embellished black velvet zill pouch.

Edited to get rid of excess [IMG] tags.

chessurecat · 06-17-2007, 08:58 AM

I use either beading wire/needles or thinner quilting needles, depending on the fabrics I'm using. I buy actual beading threads from www.firemountain.com and if I'm in a pinch or can't afford extra threads at the time, I use sewers wax and wax my regular threads. Many people don't like doing this though...if you don't have the right tensions, it can shred.
I also always knot after every three beads, this way, if you bust a seam or snag something, you will always only loose those three beads, not an entire row of them.

sha-ri · 06-17-2007, 02:13 PM

Ozma, your tribaret costume is such a pretty one!

I'm planing on a tribaret to, I have a belt base covered with a black-gold-red farbic very similar to yours, I have lots of embellishments but I am still iffy about the design.

katinabd · 06-17-2007, 03:03 PM

I really enjoy seeing all of your projects ladies. Currently I am making fabric handbags. That is my other business. I am trying to get it up and running. I really love your zill pouch Samirah. I have been trying to somehow incorporate belly dance bags into the mix. ie show bags, class bags, zill pouches and makeup bags. Right now I make handbags, wedding bags. SO that is keeping me busy right now. Trying to dance, work and make time for that is hard. Keep em coming.

ozma · 06-17-2007, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sha-ri

Ozma, your tribaret costume is such a pretty one!

I'm planing on a tribaret to, I have a belt base covered with a black-gold-red farbic very similar to yours, I have lots of embellishments but I am still iffy about the design.

Thanks! I usually hate cheap acrylic pre-strung bead fringe, but if you layer it right it's great for tribaret. It took me a while to figure out the right combination of layers.

ozma · 06-17-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samirah-NH

Ozma, I love your tribaret set! Very eclectic.

With my sewing skills (or lack thereof) and often arthritic-feeling fingers, I'm not quite up to tackling a bra or belt project just yet. But I just finished making my own embellished black velvet zill pouch.

That's so much nicer than my zill pouches. When my favorite soft socks loose toes and heels I cut them off, machine stitch one end of the "ankle tube" closed and string embroidery thread through the other end as a drawstring.

firefly5 · 06-21-2007, 05:25 AM

Here is a red and black bra I am working on. I'm only beading the cups because I'm going to make a turkish vest to wear with it which will cover all the straps.
In actual fact I have done loads more since I took this picture so I'll post an updated one shortly!

Ruth

firefly5 · 06-21-2007, 06:06 AM

Now with fringe! (or wiggly wiggly worms as my 2yo keeps saying!)

ozma · 06-21-2007, 07:56 AM

Oooooh, that's a nice design!

firefly5 · 06-21-2007, 09:34 AM

Thanks Ozma, it looks much better in the flesh though.
Having just tried it on I think I'm going to add lots more wiggly wiggly worms!
I'm going to make a matching belt too, very basic shape and with the same beading pattern as the bra.
I'm enjoying the beading process on this one as it is extremely straightforward! A nice change from the last one I made (and probably the next one!).
By the way, your tribaret set is looking gorgeous, lovely colour combinations.

Arella · 06-25-2007, 02:17 PM

I like this thread! Thanks for restarting it!
Sha-ri awesome work!!!! and you too auraevans . I can certainly appreciate
hand beading!
I love seeing other peoples projects

I gotta post my lastest!

mekyria · 06-26-2007, 07:50 AM

I finally got time to work on a belly dance costume again. I made the bra/belt base last weekend, I'm currently working on the bra and waiting for my Big Shiny Sew-on Stones to arrive. The decoration is in red holographic sequins, rhinestone chain and red beads. It's going to have lots of red beaded frignge too (Egyptian prestrung fringe. I bought it last march so it's about time that I used it for something!)

danidance · 06-26-2007, 08:31 AM

Mekyria,

How did you do the bra design? I like that shape. I can't wear and don't like most of the bras out there - that wide halter strap is a "must" for hiding my underarm ooze....not to mention I think it's the most flattering shape for anyone really.