Short and Sweet and to the Point
In Beading Techniques Defined, we talked about Off-Loom bead weaving and discovered that this technique for creating bead work uses a needle and thread in conjunction with beads.
Since this series is Bead Weaving 101, we are going to focus on the supplies used for this beading technique.
Off loom weaving is done using a needle and thread plus a variety small beads and seed beads.
Seed beads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but by definition are very small and have even smaller holes.
Many patterns and designs in bead weaving require passing through the beads more than once, and in some instances, several times.
This requires specialized needles and threads made for this very purpose.
Beading Needles
Beading needles are very thin, flexible needles most often used for seed bead work.
The advantage to using this type (rather than regular sewing needles) is that their eyes are the same width as the rest of the needle, so there’s no added metal width to get in the way as you pass through seed beads and other small-holed beads.
Beading Needles are numbered the same as metal gauges are so the higher the number the smaller the diameter of the needle.
What size beading needle should you use?
Select a beading needle size based on the following three factors:
- Beads – the inside diameter of the bead hole – the needle and thread needs to pass through without scraping or cutting the thread
- Thread Size or Thickness – the eye of the needle should accommodate the thread without damaging the thread
- Type of Project – Stitch Type and number of Passes through the beads
Size 10 beading needles – Use size 10 beading needles with beading threads size D or 10 lb. test and smaller, and use with 15° seed beads or larger.
Size 11 – 12 beading needles – Size 12 is most commonly used beading needle size. Use size 12 beading needles with beading threads size D or 8 lb. test and smaller, and use with 15° seed beads or larger.
Size 13 or smaller beading needles – Use size 13 beading needles with beading threads size B or 6 lb. test and smaller, and use with 15° seed beads or larger. This size is recommended for all off-loom bead weaving stitches and loom work.
Japanese and English Beading Needles are the best quality needles on the market.
Cheaper needles tend to have sharp edges around the eye that will shred and cut through your thread.
Size 11 through 13 needles work well if you are using a stitch that requires more than two passes of thread through the same bead, such as right angle weave or spiral rope. Because they are so thin, these needles bend easily.
Other types of Beading Needles
Big Eye Beading Needles – Looming with Beads
Twisted Eye Beading Needles – Finishing off short threads
Sharps Beading Needles – Bead Embroidery
I recommend that you keep a decent variety of beading needles on hand.
Here is a list of the needles I personally keep on hand at all times.
- 1 pack each Size 10 through Size 12
- 3-4 Big Eye Needles
- 3-4 Twisted Eye Needles
- 3-4 Size 15
Beading Threads
Beading thread is a stringing material designed specifically for seed bead projects, bead embroidery, weaving, loom work, and more.
With wonderful and highly durable brands like Nymo, FireLine, KO, TOHO One-G and others to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect thread for your projects.
What kind of beading thread should you use?
As with beading needles, your choice of Beading Thread will be dependant upon a few key factors.
- Beads – the inside diameter of the bead hole – the needle and thread needs to pass through without scraping or cutting the thread
- Needle Size and Eye – the eye of the needle should accommodate the thread without damaging the thread
- Type of Project – Stitch Type and number of Passes through the beads
When choosing a beading thread, the type of bead becomes very important.
Certain beads, such as Bugle beads and Crystals, have notoriously sharp edges. These beads are abrasive on the thread and cause fraying or breaking of nylon and silk threads.
Use one of the stronger braided threads, such as Fireline and Wildfire for projects with abrasive beads.
Some beading threads, such as silk and nylon threads, will stretch with the weight of the beads over time.
Stretching the thread prior to weaving can alleviate this problem in some designs, but if the thread has to bear a lot of weight, you will probably want to choose a stronger type.
Thread Sizes
Different types and brands of beading thread have different sizing systems for their product lines.
Nylon and Silk beading threads generally have an alphabetic sizing system.
The closer the letter is to A, the smaller the diameter of the thread will be.
Braided threads or GSP, such as Fireline were developed initially for fishing and so the sizes are given in diameter of inches and millimeters and tensile strength or pound test.
The higher the pound test number, the larger the thread diameter will be.
The point is that you should check the sizing charts for the specific type thread to make sure the diameter of the thread will fit through your beads of your project.
For beginners, I would recommend starting out with Fireline Thread – Six pound test or .006 diameter.
I also recommend that you have the white and the black on hand. Fireline Black Satin is my favorite over the Smoke thread. It is treated so that the black does not come off on your hands and bead work and it does not split as easily.
The good news is that most patterns and tutorials will tell you what size and type of thread recommended for the project.
And over time, you will become more experienced at choosing on your own.
Thread Conditioners and Helpful Hints
Threads that are prone to fraying and tangling will need to be conditioned before and during the bead weaving process.
This can be done using any of the products below.
Round threads can be very difficult to thread through the eye of a beading needle.
Use chain nose or flat nose pliers to flatten the end of the thread.
Bring the eye of the needle over the thread tip, instead of trying to push the thread through the eye.
Research thread types before you buy. As with many hobbies, supplies that don’t get used are a waste of time and money.
Once you gain some experience, feel free to experiment with thread type, size and color in your own designs and get to know what is like to use them in different types of beading projects.
Commonly Used Thread Terms
Many Patterns and Tutorials will often say to begin by threading your needle onto a comfortable length of thread. Others will tell you to start with a certain amount of wingspans.
But what exactly do these terms mean? Let’s get a little help from my Grandson to demonstrate some of the thread terms you may encounter.
A wingspan equals the amount of space between the fingertips of your left hand and right hands, with your arms stretched out to the sides as far as they will go.
Here, Jack demonstrates a full wingspan.
A half wingspan is the distance between the outstretched hand on one side, and the middle of the chest.
In this photo, Jack is demonstrating a half of a wingspan for us.
Steps for Measuring a Wingspan of Thread
- Grasp the end of the thread with your left hand and extend your left arm out all the way to the side.
- Unroll the thread with your right hand and stretch it out across your body until your right arm is extended all the way out to the side.
- Grasp the thread with the right hand and cut the thread at the mark.
A comfortable length of thread is a subjective term used to define any length of thread you feel comfortable working with.
For threads that tangle easily, this will be a shorter length.
A good rule of thumb is 2-3 feet of thread for beginning beaders. This length will not tangle or knot up easily. It is very important to learn how to add and end threads in your projects, when working with smaller lengths of thread.
It is also very important to learn the various knotting techniques to secure your threads at the end of a project.
A Thread Path is the directional path the thread travels to complete a unit and/or row of bead work.
A Thread Bridge refers to an accessible part of the thread path in the previous row of bead work on a project.
Check out this new post, How to work with Nylon Beading Thread.
Learn how to stretch and condition this thread type so you can take advantage of all the beautiful color options available with Nylon thread.