Beading Help

[OLChemist]

I like heavy buckskin for lane stitch. It is more forgiving that other materials. However there are time when it is too expensive, heavy or hot.

Heavy canvas is good for fully beaded items. Wash it in very hot water and dry it a couple times before use. I run the edges through my sewing machine, set for a tight zigzag stitch, so the edges don't fray while I work. Then when finished, I bind the edges with bias tape or, if I'm going to do rolled edging, twill tape. If you're worried about the white showing between stitches you can dye the fabric to match the background color.

As for the hide stretching out of shape, I can think of a couple of things that made be making that especially problematic. First your hide might be too thin. Commercial hides often need stretched before use. If the hide can be lightly damped without stiffening, mist it and stretch it on a frame. Don't store hides folded, as this will make creases that can stretch out later under the weight of the bead work. Roll hides for storage. If the beaded piece is cupping or bending, you may be pulling your stitches too tight or crowding your beads.

[Czechy]

What I bead on depends on what I am making and whether the item will be fully beaded or not. For mocs and items not fully beaded, buckskin is best. Otherwise, for vests, capes, arm and leg bands and whatnot, I use canvas/duck cloth with the edges bound with bias tape and beaded over. Canvas also has the advantage of being cheap, breatheable and easy to bead on. You do have to preshrink it before using. And it looks best with a calico backing when your beading is complete.

[wyo_rose]

I still use brown paper to back my stuff. But not lazy stitch.

I think buckskin is the best stuff to bead on...if you can get a needle through easy. You can bond some fusible interfacing on the back and it should keep it from moving so much.

If your making separate fully beaded pieces, you can use a thick canvas - just be sure to either fold the edges or apply bias tape to the edges.

[thunderbirdwoman]

beading help

well we used to put brown paper way back when but now they have lining that helps just sew it down or use the light sew like heat and bond or pelon. canvas as we all know shrinks even after a wash u iron but still doesn't have the right texture. i myself use heavy canvass to lazy stitch and med canvass with light heat and bond adhesive works just find your way that works best for you no rules be inventive try to pull your leather for sturdier pieces so it won't stretch so much
may i ask why you chose leather to bead on is it fully beaded. just curious happy beading i love it myself

[legalstraight]

Depends on the weight of the canvas, but generally speaking, yes its gonna show.

I have used muslin from time to time, and my wife is a fan of what she calls duck cloth- I have no idea what its intended purpose is but it is good for whole pieces-

If you are just doing simple beading- a row or two down the sides or some such, I would do it straight on the leather.

[storm122366]

I am starting a new traditional set of beadwork. I have been using buckskin as a material to bead on but it moves around too much. Does anyone have any advice on what is the best material for lane stitch items. I had thought about using canvas, but did not know if it would show too much after sewing it on another backing material.