Beaded Wardrobe

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-911 -- More Projects »
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When choosing your materials, always select quality. It is important to use glass or crystal beads, since the clothing will be washed. Avoid wood, pottery, stone or plastic.
Craft artist and quilter Amy Sirk demonstrates how easy it is to add a touch of beaded embellishment to clothing.

Materials:

6 x 12" quilters ruler
soapstone marker
size 11 milliner's needle
nylon beading thread
scissors.

Initial Tips


  • When working on silk or knit fabrics, use a washable marker.

  • Choose only the best materials such as glass or crystal beads.

  • Avoid wood, pottery, stone or plastic beads, since the garments must be washed.

Line of Single Beads

Steps:

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Figure A

  1. Mark the pattern on an area of the garment that gets little wear, such as the leg of a pair of jeans. Make your own design and use the ruler to lay it out, marking the lines with the soapstone marker (figure A).

  2. Thread the needle with nylon and knot the end of the thread. Come up from the underside of the fabric (so the knot won't show), locating the needle at the top of the pattern.
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Figure B
  • Thread a bead on the needle and send the needle through to the back side of the material. Have the point of the needle come to the surface at the spot where you want the next bead located. You can space the beads (figure B), or sew them close together.

  • When you are at the end of the pattern, after you secure the last bead bring the thread up in the seam allowance, make a knot. Sew one more stitch and clip the thread.

    Block of Beads


    1. Thread the needle with nylon and make a knot at the end. Come up through the back side of the fabric where you want your block of beads to start.

    2. Load up however many beads you want to form your block (for this example, seven are used) and insert the needle through the fabric at the end of the beads.
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    Figure C
  • Push the needle back through a small space over from the line of beads (figure C).

    Victorian Backstitch

    This stitch works well for creating swirling designs on delicate fabric. You will want to use an embroidery hoop if your fabric is very thin, such a chiffon scarf. Make a freeform design with a washable marker on the ends of the scarf to guide your beading.

    Steps:


    1. Thread your needle with nylon and knot it. Come up from the underside of the fabric and load two beads on the needle. Go through the fabric and bring the needle up, one bead width away.
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    Figure D
  • Load one bead on the needle and go back through the hole of the last bead and come through the fabric one bead width away (figure D).

  • Continue loading single beads, going through the previous hole and advancing one bead width.
    • Guests
    Amy Sirk
    Crafter/Quilter
    E-mail: amys@mamasgarden.com
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-911
    •Beaded Wardrobe
    •Soothing Rough Hands
    •Doggie Exercises
    •Smart Solution of the Day