How To Use Beading Needles: Guide To Threading, Stitches and More.
Want to start incorporating beads into your sewing projects? Let's start with the basics: beading needles. This post covers the essentials of using beading needles, including how to thread a beading needle, perform a few simple beading stitches and more. Plus, print or download the free infographic below to save these directions for later! When you're ready to get started, head to WAWAK for high-quality beading needles and other professional sewing notions.
WHAT ARE BEADING NEEDLES?
Beading needles are a style of hand sewing needle used for beadwork. They're distinctively long, thin and flexible, with a fine point. Unlike other hand-sewing needle styles, the eye is the same width as the rest of the needle, so it can pass through small bead holes without getting stuck.
What Are Beading Needles Used For?
As you'd probably guess, beading needles are used for all kinds of beadwork. Whether you're working with seed beads, gems, sequins, or pearls, these thin, flexible needles pass easily through small bead holes, allowing you to work quickly and efficiently. Beading needles are commonly used for bead embroidery, bead weaving, jewelry making, and more. While it might be tempting to try to use a regular sewing needle for beading, a beading needle is really your best option, as beading needles are uniquely designed for the task.
HOW TO USE A BEADING NEEDLE
How To Thread A Beading Needle
To thread your beading needle, start by cutting your thread with a clean, sharp pair of scissors. Pinch the thread between your thumb and forefinger and pull it through until just the very tip of the thread is visible between your fingers. Place the eye of the needle over this speck of thread and rock it back and forth slightly until the thread works into the eye. For more tips on threading needles, check out our previous post, "How To Thread An Embroidery Needle Step-By-Step."
Beading Stitches For Beginners
Once your needle is threaded, it's time to start stitching! Let's take a look at a few basic beading stitches for beginners that you can use to add a new dimension of shine and texture to your projects.
Flat Stitch
The Flat Stitch, also known as a beaded backstitch, is a technique that creates even lines on a flat surface, such as felt, leather or fabric. This is one of the simplest and most commonly used bead embroidery stitches, and a great place to start if you're interested in bead embroidery.
Bring your needle up from the underside of the fabric. String two beads onto your needle.
Insert your needle back into the fabric near the last bead. Backstitch, bringing the needle back up through the fabric between the two beads.
Pass the needle through the last bead.
String two more beads onto the thread. Repeat steps 2-4.
When stitching is complete, insert your needle into the fabric near the last bead and secure your thread with a knot.
Ladder Stitch
The Ladder Stitch creates a standalone (not sewn into a surface) row of beads that can be used as a simple design element in jewelry. It can also serve as a good foundation for other bead weaving stitches.
String two beads onto your needle. Slide them toward the end of the thread, leaving a bit of a tail.
Insert your needle back through the first bead you strung onto the thread and pull the thread taut to snap the beads in place.
Insert your needle back through the second bead and pull the thread taut.
String another bead onto the thread.
Insert your needle back through the previous bead, then through the last bead.
Repeat in this manner until you've achieved your desired length.
BEADING NEEDLE SIZES
Beading needles come in a variety of sizes, commonly ranging from 10 to 15. The higher the number, the thinner the needle will be. The size you choose will depend on your thread thickness and bead size. Choose a needle that can easily pass through your beads without getting stuck or damaging them. For to-scale reference illustrations of various beading needle sizes, see our Hand Needle Size & Style Chart.
BEADING NEEDLE GUIDE—FREE DOWNLOAD
Want to save the above instructions for future reference? Download our free How To Use Beading Needles guide below. This printable infographic features the instructions above, plus helpful illustrations. Shop for beading needles and a wide selection of other sewing notions at WAWAK—with over 24,000 sewing supplies in stock, we're here to help you get your next project started.
Save this handy guide on how to use beading needles for your reference.
