Beading suggestions
I do not profess to be an expert on beading. I have learned by trial and error and by experimentation.
The chart at the side shows some of the simple beading techniques that I use to embellish my dolls.
To make a drop on a strand of beads, begin by stringing a line of seed beads, I usually string 10 beads, then add ten more beads as a drop. On the second set of 10 beads, insert your needle back into the bead hole, go through all 10 beads you have just added and exit the needle. You will have created a drop, now string 10 more beads, then add 10 for another drop and so on.
This second chart shows where to add rows of beads for embellishment on a doll that you do not intend to costume, such as the Sun Goddess and the Enchanted's. Rows of beads at varying lengths, especially bugle beads, make for lots of sparkle.
Add three rows here
The hands can also be beaded. You could also bead the feet!
Beading on a costume....Deb's Question
This page was last updated: April 2, 2010
Step 1
Attach your thread to the area which you want to bead. Begin to string your design. Attach a larger bead to the costume or body at X.
Enter your needle into the center of the bead and exit. Then string the desired number of beads to the link.
Step 2
Add a larger bead at the end of the sequence.
Attach it to the fabric, then enter the hole and exit, then string the second sequence of beads.
Do this across the top of the design.
Step 3
Go back to the beginning. Enter the fabric and the first large bead. Exit and begin to string the second row of loops. Go through the fabric at the larger bead, and exit while entering into the larger bead from the top.
Step 4
From the center of the larger bead. String your design straight down . When you have added the desired number of beads add a larger bead to end the strand. Then enter the larger bead, string a length of small beads from side to side,then add a dangle bead that is drilled side to side such as shown in the illustration. String the same number of beads on either side of the dangle. Enter the larger bead again. And working through all of the beads on the strand exit at the larger bead at the top of the design strand. Continue to work the design to the desired length.
This method can be used to embellish just about any thing in the costume,or on the doll. You can string it around the neck, around the waist for a belt, around a sleeve, a pant leg, a skirt hem...you name it. It takes practice to get neat looking work at the larger beads...but soon you will be beading easily and liking what you see.
Caution ! Beading can become addictive.
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