? for experienced beaders

When I did my "Rejoice" angel, I beaded her wings. I didn't do the beading over stitching, because I wanted them to look lacy, but if I'd been looking for a look like your chief, I think that would have been a good idea.

It seems to me that putting the beads over stitching would bring greater depth, both in color coverage, and in actual physical depth, making the beads stand out more.

I think it would be lovely.

I would bead over the stitches. For one thing, it will make a lovely colored background for the beads (instead of having white.)

Alison

Joan E. wrote:

Most certainly you can just put the beads over top of the existing stitches. The depth this will give will look quite nice, I think -- just as Jere and Alison mentioned! The only drawback is that your sister will have to change the color of the floss she uses to match the beads. Most times, beading is done using floss the color of the base fabric but that won't work over existing stitches. I am sure she could find beads in the right colors. Mill Hill has loads of beads and, IIRC, their website gives the DMC color equivalent so that you can match up everything. Also remember that *any* bead of the correct size is acceptable. The only problem with "ordinary" beads that you buy at the craft store is that the holes are quite often a bit "wonky". This almost never happens with Mill Hill but then, you pay a lot more for them!!! Have your DSis take the floss to the local Michael's or whatever and buy whatever beads match up and are the right size. Putting that much beading together in one spot is MUCH easier if you have something equivalent in size to Mill Hill PETITE beads. Have your DSis practice doing a 1" square of solid beads along the side of the fabric. Some people like to keep the beads on the diagonal going through the bead once or twice in the same direction. Others prefer attaching the beads so that they are straight up by attaching the beads with a full X cross stitch. Like most other things, it's a matter of personal preference and either way is OK -- as long as she is consistent in how she attaches the beads. Lastly, have her use a #10 or #12 QUILTING needle -- I use #12 meselves. They are *very* thin and also very short. Most needlework beading needles are a bit longer and the shorter needle seems to be a bit more agile. Keep us posted on the progress, OK? OH -- and thanks for the kitty :-))) CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

JOAN Beads are to be found in many colors ,,, And yes i do think that one can stich beads over the original embroidery [ did it myself and so do some of my colleagues] but i also do xst in layers ,,, Even if you wouldn`t find the exact 100% same sahde as the thread , do remamber that shining beads when stiched close to each other give a bit of another coloration than threads ,, mirjam

...or use transparent thread.

Depending on how many you need, if you order from their website you pay about the same but get many more beads for the money.

Best wishes, Ericka

I would NEVER recommend the gold beads by Mill Hill. I'd "bought into" the lies about good quality beads and chose Mill Hill for a project. Granted, it's My Heart -- a carry case for my needles, threads, Thread Heaven and more. However, the gold beads are in reality cheap colored beads (multi-color, think green, red, yellow, blue, et al) that are dipped in gold paint. The paint wears off and you'll be left with ick.

You have no idea how awful mine looks now, and how pretty it was!!!

As long as the piece will just be for display (not used for a bag or something) you will be fine. However, if you ever use it at some point in the future... well, do not chose painted beads. NEVER.

P.S. Stitching over the threads will give a depth -- just make sure your beads match the stitches/size wise. I did a piece and the beads were slightly larger than the stitches -- it's hidden/don't know that anyone but me would note the descrepancy -- mine were both taller and wider. So, do a ten by ten (beads) and make sure you're all set/can compensate for any oddities in the size.

Good luck! Your stitching (I peeked at the album) is super... really pretty.

I`m sure I saw somewhere that you can get DMC beads in DMC colours.

Pat

This was another question I should have asked earlier. IIRC, the fabric is 14 ct. aida. Would I use seed beads or petites?

Thanks! I'm hoping to get pics of Fairy Grandmother up soon. I just need to get her mounted onto foamcore and take her back to the framer's. I've got everything picked out, they're just waiting for me to bring her back. I'm nearly done (well, technically I *am* done!) with Summer garden, too. I just have to rip out the cat and put a yellow lab in its place. :)

Thanks *so* much for all your responses and good ideas, everyone! We will have to go shopping this weekend for the beads so I can show her how to do them, since she'll be going back home to CA on Monday. She'll be so excited to know she doesn't have to rip out her stitching! :)

Joan

Interesting! I'd never heard they do beads, too. I'll have to stick with Mill Hill, though, as I can get them here and now so I can teach her how to bead before she leaves! :)

Joan

Depends on how much of the stitching you want to show through. The seed beads should be a "perfect" fit. The petites will let more background show. Also depends on how much patience you have for working with petites.

And thank you! You've just reminded me of WHY I wanted the Dremel set I finally got for Christmas this year--to see if I can enlarge the holes in some beads. :-)

:) I'm guessing she will be opting for the seed beads, being she's 10 years older than me!

Glad to help! And thanks for the answer, Brenda.

Joan

My thoughts exactly. Personally, I'd go to a local bead shop if she has one

- and get transparent thread. Or, you could use the transparent monofiliament that is sold for machine quilting.

Plus, if she uses the transparent thread, she can play with the bead placement, not necessarily doing a full mat of beading.

That's a good idea. I end up getting beads at a local bead shop - there are some very good ones in this area. I tend to like using some mixes of beads, even some of the translucent varieties might look really nice, given the colored stitched background is already there.

Just catching up, ellice

I absolutely *HATE* transparent thread and refuse to use it unless there is no other option! As a result, I never recommend it without the caveat that it's a P.I.T.A. to work with! I would much rather encourage people to fuss with changing thread color than to have t hem deal with that nasty, plastic-y, hard to see when you drop the strand, transparent thread :-)))! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

But since it's already stitched, why not use the same color thread as the stitching, since she will be matching the beads to the floss?

Confused..... Joan

I'm assuming that the entire headband is not the same color. So, if you try to match the thread to the beads or the underlying stitch, you'll keep having to change thread to attach the different colored beads. If you use the transparent thread, you can just work down the row with the same thread, using whatever color beads are needed. In addition to being more convenient, this tends to help keep the tension and direction of the beads more consistent with less effort. If the headband is all the same color, then it wouldn't matter what thread you used.

Best wishes, Ericka

Sara

You are *so* right, Ericka! I never thought about that aspect of it. I will suggest that to DSis (with Tia Mary's caveat about it being nasty to work with!).

Thanks!

Joan

I don't find that it's all that nasty to work with, myself. I usually use a doubled length of the transparent quilting thread. A little stretch does tame it a bit. Also, it *is* difficult to see. So, you do have to be a little cautious. It's easy for the thread to get snagged on something on the front, but you don't see it! Good light and your sense of how long the thread ought to be as you pull it through seems to work for me. I don't find it problematic in terms of knots or anything like that, and I do like the look.

Best wishes, Ericka