Expert: Angela - 7/31/2008

Question
Hello, I have decided to take on a big project with cross-stitch on linen that I've never done before. It also calls for lots of beads and that scares me.  I understand you put the thread through the bead and put it on the fabric where it belongs, but is it supposed to be sitting on the fabric like a tire on a car, or should I be able to see the hole in the bead by placing it flat on the fabric?  Also, the pattern did not tell me what thread to use with the beading and it didn't tell me how many strands to use for the entire design. It is to be done on 32 count twilight blue linen! DO you have any recommendations for me?  Thank you so much!

Answer
Hello, Mandilu

To attach beads, you would take the matching thread color (white thread for white beads), and using 1 strand of it, thread the needle on the backside of the project under at least 5 previous stitches, and weave them through and around a few times to anchor the thread (DO NOT KNOT THE THREAD).

NOTE: YOU DO NEED TO USE BEADING NEEDLES FOR THIS AS REGULAR NEEDLES WON'T FIT THROUGH A BEAD.

From the back of the project, push the needle to the front of where you need to attach the bead.  You will be attaching the beads using cross stitches.  Pick up the bead with the needle, and insert the needle to where the start of the cross stitch would be, coming back up through the fabric to make the other 1/2 of the X, insert the needle through the bead, and then insert the needle to make the final stitch of the X.  Just like you would when you're making regular cross stitches.

Here are a few examples of how to do this:

http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/attaching-beads.html

http://www.treasuredtapestries.com/beads.html

http://crafts.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Cross_Stitch_with_Beads_Instructions_and_Kits

I hope that I've explained everything for you, and I hope that the above websites provide you with the help that you're looking for.  Good luck, and happy stitching! :)

Sincerely,

Angela :)