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Beading Tips

much more coming later, just starting here

>Is the beading line necessary, or can embroidery thread be used just as successfully?

I'd use Beading Floss. It comes in many colors and it's a bit stronger than regular thread and embroidery floss. If you are worried about thread breaking - I'd get bead floss.

> Do you simply sew each bead onto the fabric of the dress one by one? Or do you transfer the pattern onto the fabric, then somehow string a number of beads onto the line at once and then sew all of them at the same time?

The way you attach your beads depends on the pattern. Long stretches
can be couched on - this page has a good diagram on how to do it
http://www.eac.ca/embroidery_canada/dec_2002/cree_beading.html . This web site also has some good tips:
http://www.beadiefriends.com/BeadEmbroidery.htm Knotting off small
sections at a time as you work is a good idea - that way if a section
does unravel you only have to redo a small part of the design. (keep
extra beads).

> do you bead a separate piece of fabric, and then attach this to the
actual dress after the beading is complete?

This depends on the project. However, whenever possible, I like to have the beading be detachable. Some designs do not allow for this.

One thing you do want to do. Try to do the beading before you cut the fabric. Beading is normally better done in a hoop with the fabric pulled tight.

However, there are exceptions to both of these. Let your project be your guide.

== Cat

This all depends on what your design is. For example, if you are
makind a beaded trim (like the trim on Arwen's Mourning gown) you
would bead the trim then apply it to the gown. If you actually want
the fabric of your gown to be beaded (like the beaded lace of the
Coronation Gown) you would trace your pattern on to the fabric (or
trace it on an overlay like slovy or tissue paper that can be removed
when you are done) - put your fabric in a hoop - then attach your
beads following the pattern. (The hoop really helps keep your fabric
flat and keeps it from getting all puckered up).

== Kay-dee

Keeping Beads Straight

Something I'm noticing in a lot of folks costumes... your bugle beads aren't lining up right.... Tip... you need to go back though and thread multiple beads together. You can do it while you are sewing them on by always going back one bead and pulling it tight... or you can fix it afterwards by running a thread though a string of beads a one time. You'll have to go out anything it start to change direction. Knot tight, but don't bunch the fabric. Changing curve direction, go back one (even if it's anchoring the other way) and let that one bead start to curve the other way.

== Cat

Book Recommendations

Here is the list of books that I have that cover beading:

1) Embellish Chick - Detailing Ready-to-wear by Connie Long (34 pages with color photos on many different beading techniques and applications)

2) Fine Embellishment Techniques - Classic Details for Today's Clothing by Jane Conlon (40 pages on beading with lots of illustrations on how to stitch beads, recommended threads, tools, etc.)

3) Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire B Shaeffer (only 3 pages on beading - but a good book that I've learned a lot from in general)

4) Reader's Digest Complete Book of Embroidery by Melinda Coss - there are only 4 pages on beading, but this is my favorite embroidery reference book (I learned most of my stitches from it).

==Kay Dee

This page was last updated 04/22/08