Stitchers, In several days I will begin Celtic Spring. I was looking at the beads last night. The lady in Cape May told me that she simply does a "half cross stitch" to apply beads. She did advise me to apply the beads at the end of the project so that I could apply as many beads as possible with one "run" of thread. I was ok with this until I went on the Internet and was reading about cross stitching on linen in general. I won't list them here but evidently there are different schools of thought about how to apply beads. How do you folks do it?? Do you use one strand of thread for small beads and two strands if the beads are larger?? Thanks so much.
Posted by: jerseycrafter on 03/05/15
Post a Reply
Please Wait ...
Her way is one acknowleged way to attach beads. However, they will slant, so you have to choose from the beginning which way you want the 1/2 cross to tilt. One thread is OK.
I prefer a full cross stitch, which makes the beads stand up straight. Done like a regular Xstitch, starting in SW hole. Go through hole of bead and down appropropriate hole. Do second course through bead to make it stand up like a tire on a car. If it's sideways, try again the other way.
Since I use scroll frames, I can bead in sections. I pad the beads with batting or paper towel the full width of the rod. A size 28 Tapestry will go through nearly all Mill Hill except the petites. They need a real beading needle.
Posted by: jlhewes on 03/05/15
Several years ago I did the Celtic Christmas and enjoyed every minute of it. Through the years I have tried several ways of beading and finally decided to do the 1/2 stitch way. I use a single thread on a beading needle and run it through each bead 3 or 4 times to secure it tightly. There are over a thousand beads on Celtic Christmas so I waited till I was all finished with the stitching so the tension on the beading would be about the same. It really doesn't make any difference how you do the beading as long as you use the same method all the way to completion on your project. It is a little bit more tedious this way but the beads are secure and not coming loose. I wish you all the best in this project and think you will love her when she is all finished. cheryl
Posted by: clpatt123 on 03/05/15
Thanks to both of you...Cheryl, I did see Celtic Christmas finished and displayed in Cape May. She is just absolutely beautiful! I have to make sure this one is done correctly...especially the beading because my ten year old grand daughter has fallen in love Celtic Spring. It will be for her.