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This may seem obvious, but.... (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 1/21/06 8:09 PM ET
I'm thinking of adding some small beadwork details to a dress I'm going to make for an upcoming event, and I've just realized I have no clue when exactly the beads are put on. After I've got it all sewn together? Will that make it hard to get an embroidery hoop on? The fabric is soft and slightly stretchy, so I think I do need to hold it taut first. Or should I put the beadwork on the front bodice after sewing in the facing but before attaching the side seams and sleeves?
There are lots of books on beading at Chapters, but surprizingly, little information on sewing them onto clothes.
There are lots of books on beading at Chapters, but surprizingly, little information on sewing them onto clothes.
Posted on: 1/21/06 8:53 PM ET
Firstly let me say that I am NO expert on this subject, but I'm currently sewing beaded roses onto my wedding dress, so I thought that what works for me might be helpful.
My fabric is stretch satin, and I was very worried about hoop marks, so what I worked out is as follows:
Trace the design with a quilter's marking pencil onto quite stiff tear-away stabilizer, and baste that directly onto the fabric. I went all around the perimeter of the design, then vertically and horizontally across the middle as well. I'm using a very fine needle with regular sewing thread for the basting, and haven't had any problems with stitch holes being left after pulling out the basting threads.
Then sew the beads on with a backstitch along the traced design. After finishing, the stabilizer is VERY CAREFULLY torn away, leaving just the beaded design. Each rose is about 10cm tall and 5.5cm wide, and takes me about four hours to do. (Quite detailed) Lets just say it's a labour of love!
As to when they're sewn on, I've sewn most of my dress together (one side seam is still open to allow for fitting and makes access easier for beading) so that I could accurately gauge where the roses will be on the finished dress. The smaller the pieces you're working with, the easier it is to do, but I wanted an all-over picture, so assembled the dress first.
I hope someone far more experienced at beading chips in here - I could use some tips too! Good luck with your project.
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My fabric is stretch satin, and I was very worried about hoop marks, so what I worked out is as follows:
Trace the design with a quilter's marking pencil onto quite stiff tear-away stabilizer, and baste that directly onto the fabric. I went all around the perimeter of the design, then vertically and horizontally across the middle as well. I'm using a very fine needle with regular sewing thread for the basting, and haven't had any problems with stitch holes being left after pulling out the basting threads.
Then sew the beads on with a backstitch along the traced design. After finishing, the stabilizer is VERY CAREFULLY torn away, leaving just the beaded design. Each rose is about 10cm tall and 5.5cm wide, and takes me about four hours to do. (Quite detailed) Lets just say it's a labour of love!
As to when they're sewn on, I've sewn most of my dress together (one side seam is still open to allow for fitting and makes access easier for beading) so that I could accurately gauge where the roses will be on the finished dress. The smaller the pieces you're working with, the easier it is to do, but I wanted an all-over picture, so assembled the dress first.
I hope someone far more experienced at beading chips in here - I could use some tips too! Good luck with your project.
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There are no sewing mistakes - only opportunites for design features.
My blog: http://everythingjustsew.blogspot.com/
My blog: http://everythingjustsew.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 1/21/06 9:06 PM ET
I know that this is cheating, but I have had great results with Aleene's JewelIt glue and beads/crystals. I dries clear, holds like crazy and you don't have to worry about knots coming undone or threads breaking and beads going all over. I used it to apply crystals and sequins to DD's RTW prom dress and have used it to apply beads to other garments. Use very precise tweezers (and other tools like toothpicks, old sewing machine needles etc.) to position the beads in the tiny "puddles" of glue you apply. That way, you can change the direction the bead lays on the fabric so it looks like it is sewn on. Try it--I think you will like it!
BTW--got the JewelIt at Michael's Crafts.
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BTW--got the JewelIt at Michael's Crafts.
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Janome 6500P, Babylock Eclipse SX, Janome Coverpro 1000, Babylock BLCS, Juki 654 (2), Babylock Spirit, Juki TL2010q, Brother PE770
Posted on: 1/21/06 9:22 PM ET
While I haven't done beading on fabric (yet. I'm sure I'll get around to it some day), when I've hand embroidered fabric, I usually do it after I cut the pieces out, and before I sew the seams. I mark the seam allowances in something that washes out, and go from there. I did ribbon embroidery on two of my daughter's jumpers several years ago, which I did without marking the design (it didn't have to be anything specific, so I just did a stem stitch around the neckline as a stem, and did roses and flowers off the main stem). I've also done some zig zag machine embroidering (not an embroidery machine), copied a stencil onto the fabric, put stabilizer under it, and stitched it.
There was a discussion about beadwork in August, I believe. If you search for "bead" on the Creative Sewing discussion, you should be able to find it. A book that was recommended there was called _Embroidery with Beads_ by Angela Thompson. I think it's available at amazon.com, and at www.lacis.com, which has a lot of other needlearts supplies and books. (NAYY)
Hope this helps, and good luck with your projects!
The wedding dress sounds gorgeous! Please do a review when you get done! I didn't sew when I got married, so I have to wait till my daughter gets married (she's only 12
).
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There was a discussion about beadwork in August, I believe. If you search for "bead" on the Creative Sewing discussion, you should be able to find it. A book that was recommended there was called _Embroidery with Beads_ by Angela Thompson. I think it's available at amazon.com, and at www.lacis.com, which has a lot of other needlearts supplies and books. (NAYY)
Hope this helps, and good luck with your projects!
The wedding dress sounds gorgeous! Please do a review when you get done! I didn't sew when I got married, so I have to wait till my daughter gets married (she's only 12
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Muria
Where did all this fabric come from? I CAN'T have bought THAT much!
Where did all this fabric come from? I CAN'T have bought THAT much!
Posted on: 1/22/06 6:44 AM ET
In reply to Judy Williment
The stabilizer idea sounds like the best option for the type of fabric I'm working with, I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks!
Posted on: 1/22/06 7:19 AM ET
In reply to rhoda bicycle
If any of the beading will be placed near a seam line you should sew the seamline first. It is true that it is easier to bead on flat pieces but you run the risk of crushing the beads with the presser foot (or the needle) if you try to sew after you have beaded. The pieces will not lie flat on one another either once the beads are on making construction more difficult. You could compromise and bead the central portions of the pieces, waiting to do the outer edges after the garment is sewn. Personally I would not use a hoop but just be very cautious about the tension. The stabilizer is a good suggestion -- make sure you use something that tears away very easily like Tearaway Light. I also knot every bead as I work but you could knot every other or every third. HTH.
Julie B
No Va
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Julie B
No Va
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Julie B
Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville, VA
Posted on: 1/22/06 7:44 AM ET
maybe a washaway stabalizer might be worth a try (on scrap first) & use a damp clean cloth to wash it away after beading is done ?
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Is there life beyond the sewing room??
Tina
my sewing photos http://au.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mav456au/album?.dir=/98bb&urlhint=actn,ren%3as,7%3af,0
Tina
my sewing photos http://au.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mav456au/album?.dir=/98bb&urlhint=actn,ren%3as,7%3af,0
Posted on: 1/29/06 7:08 PM ET
In case you're interested, here is a photo of one of the roses I'm doing on my dress. Not a great photo, but you can get the idea. This was done using the method I described above.
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There are no sewing mistakes - only opportunites for design features.
My blog: http://everythingjustsew.blogspot.com/
My blog: http://everythingjustsew.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 1/30/06 6:00 PM ET
That's a beautiful design, Judy! I'm sure the dress is going to be gorgeous!
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Muria
Where did all this fabric come from? I CAN'T have bought THAT much!
Where did all this fabric come from? I CAN'T have bought THAT much!
Posted on: 1/31/06 12:43 PM ET
In reply to Judy Williment
How absolutely beautiful your rose is and man-o-man, I am impressed with how perfect you've done the beading!
Nora
Nora
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