Beading & Hand Embroidery 🪡 All you need to know

What size beads do I use? Will I need a special needle? Should I use embroidery thread or do I need some special thread for that?

I like to embellish my embroidery projects with seed beads because they are sparkling and can add some charm and texture. You often ask me different questions regarding my beading process and in this article, I will try to answer all of them:

What size beads do I use?

In Ukraine, I was able to find only one size of beads. Here in Canada, I discovered that there are more sizes and now I understand why you guys asked which size of beads you should use. I just checked and it looks like in my work all this time I used 15/0 size of beads (it's 2 mm). Just know that basically, the larger the number of the beads - the smaller it is, the same as with embroidery needles. Here is how you can measure your beads:

Some of my threads are bigger and I was able to thread 13 beads for 1 inch. Here is the size chart for different bead brands: https://pocobeads.com/pages/bead-sizes All beads are good for hand embroidery except those that have paint only inside the bead - that paint will wash away and wear off over time. Also, I wouldn't use plastic beads because they can break and melt when ironing, the beads must be glass.

Will I need a special needle?

The beads I use for my projects are small (15/0, 13/0) and before I was using the smallest embroidery needle from my set #9, but the needle eye is wider than the rest part of the needle and it's not always able to go through the beads. So later I bought special beading needles #10-12 from DMC. They are thin and long so now I'm able to thread a lot of beads at a time if I need. And the eyes of those needles are much smaller and they always successfully go through my beads. If your beads are bigger than mine you don't need to buy any beading needles, you should be fine with a normal embroidery needle #9.

Should I use embroidery thread or do I need some special thread for that?

Thread plays a big part in embroidery with beads – but there are different schools of thought on the types of threads that should be used to sew the beads onto embroidery. I don't follow any of those schools 😜 I do my way, the way it works for me. I was always using my regular cotton embroidery threads for beading. I just chose a matching thread color and used 1 or 2 strands of floss. I don't wash my embroideries often but if you are planning to embroider on clothing - better to use 2 strands as this will reduce the risk of the thread fraying during washing and drying or even better  - use a sewing thread, it's much stronger. Also, note that the colored threads show up a bit more, and they change the finished look of the bead. Often, the bead will look darker and fatter, especially if it has a transparent or crystal finish.

Some embroiderers are using fishing line and there are a few reasons: it's invisible and it allows the bead to really show off its full color and finish; It doesn’t stretch and has a certain stiffness to it, that helps the beads stay put once they’re sewn on. But I wouldn't recommend this approach if you are going to iron it, the fishing line will melt.

You can buy special nylon bead threads for beading. It's pretty strong which is good for clothing. Here are the brands I found recommended by other artists:

🧵 K.O. - it's a Japanese brand and is a nice nylon option, it's strong, tangle- and fraying-resistant. It's soft and comes in a lot of different colors so you can match the color of your thread to your project. Amazon link: https://amzn.to/48Ynlsz 

🧵 TOHO 1G - this is another Japanese beading brand and it's made specifically for bead weaving. It also comes in a lot of different colors to match the color of TOHO seed beads. It's strong but not stiff and it's easy to thread, and tangle- and fraying-resistant. It doesn't require waxing and comes in different spool sizes. Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3VlmIGm 

🧵 Miyuki - 100% nylon, made in Japan. There are lots of colors and there is another option for bead crochet with polyester. Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3v3zsXr 

🧵 Nymo beading thread recommended by one of the patrons. Amazon: https://amzn.to/48SlPrD 

Here is a great video about all those beading threads where you can see how they look and decide which is the best for you:

I personally didn't try them yet but I will order some of them and let you know my feedback later. I'm collecting all my Amazon recommendations here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/embroideryartbynat 

❗️❗️❗️Remeber that all those beading threads are synthetic and if you are going to iron your project so be careful. Basically, subjecting nylon thread to high heat from an iron can cause it to melt, resulting in damage to the thread and potentially ruining your embroidery work. Even if the thread doesn't melt completely, it may deform under the heat of the iron. This can lead to the thread losing its original shape and structure, affecting the appearance and integrity of your embroidery stitches. Nylon threads can also be sensitive to heat, which may cause them to change color or become discolored when exposed to high temperatures. That is why it's not advisable to iron nylon beading thread used for beading embroidery. Instead, consider alternative methods for finishing your embroidery project, such as using a low-heat setting on an iron with a pressing cloth to avoid direct contact with the thread. Always test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that a thread can withstand the heat before applying it to the entire piece.

Hope that helps 🙂 In case you have some questions - let's discuss it.