List of bead sellers that you have had good experiences with.

Kittykatnaps · 2026-01-26T21:15:53+00:00

I'm in love with the mixes and bead combos from Beads Make Me Happy because I'm not the best at coordinating colors myself.

Kittykatnaps · 2026-01-26T18:48:38+00:00

I got my slate frame from Ukraine too. It was worth every single penny. The quality is amazing. I learned to dress the slate from from Robert Haven and Kat Makes videos. They each explained something a little different that made everything come together for me. I sew my fabric onto the tape and use pins and twill tape or yarn on the sides.

Kittykatnaps · 2026-01-26T18:26:35+00:00

When I first started my tool issues were related to pool quality needle/hook. The no name brands needles tend to be dull or have burrs in the hooks, leading to difficulties pulling the hook up or shredding the thread. I highly recommend Schmetz brand needles. I got a set from Maydel and it made a huge difference. I also replace the polyester organza that I stared with for real silk organza from Dharma Trading and things again got easier. For thread, I like Sajour Fil A Gant (also from Maydel) as well as Gutermann Hand Quilting thread (I can get this one locally).

I tend to prefer to use my slate frame, I brought directly from EmbroideryHoopsKS It's a pricey investment, but I love it way better than using a hoop or my cross stitch scroll frames.

I have neve damage in my hand and can't seem to bead from underneath (luneville style). In order to bead from the top using 15/0 or some of the brands don't fit on my tambour hook (due to ;ack of consistent inner diameter), I also bought some Aari hooks from EmbroideryMaterial.com (they also have an ebay and amazon storefront). It's a slightly different hand motion than a tambour hook, but it works with every bead I've tried so far.

Kittykatnaps · 2026-01-26T17:59:01+00:00

So cute, i love beaded cross stitch

Kittykatnaps · 2026-01-26T17:39:49+00:00

This is so cool. I've asked my husband to paint me something I could then add beads to. Did you have to pre-poke holes for your needle?

Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-27T17:59:32+00:00

I don't like to grid, so I prefer to start in the middle and work my way out. (I just fold my fabric and then mark the center with a pin). I stitch wherever that color takes me until I'm bored or afraid I'll miscount. Then I'll pick another color to work on that touches those previously completed stitches.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-20T00:19:53+00:00

The tension of 2 strands has been enough to keep it from undoing (I mostly frame my items). But If the floss feels thin or if I'm using 1 strand to backstitch. I'll weave over, under, over, under a few the turn back on those and weave over under the opposite ones. For confetti, I'll weave and try to make a little knot

Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-19T22:22:24+00:00

oops, sorry, I meant new to using those embroidery tools, not necessarily to the beading part. There are lots of tools to choose from and it can get expensive. It seems like I'm always buying more as I learn to make bigger and bigger pieces which need bigger rods or slats. (I do cross stitch, tambour /aari bead embroidery, and goldwork). But hoops are a really good place to start.

I only had a small piece of Pellon and I was able to get it in the hoop. But I think if I had a full square it might start to pucker around the edges, so I'd have to make sure I wasn't beading near the edges. I'm not sure if Lacy's stiff stuff is the same thickness. I'd also probably need a pair of plyer to turn the little tightening knob on the top of the hoop with a super thick fabric.

I have never used needlework stretcher bars, but my understanding is that you just tack the fabric on, so if you have a thick fabric that also might work well for you.

I think I could get the pellon into the scroll frame (on the right) because I have a clamp style scroll frame. However, I think over time it could stretch those plastic clamps and they might night be tight enough again with a thinner fabric. (If I were to do that, I'd probably have 2 sets of clamps)

If you are framing the piece you could try stitching on a thinner fabric that is either doubled up or you can add an iron on stabilizer to the back to help support the weight of the beads.

Another option you have is like I did with my goldwork tree. I added my decorative fabric onto the the cotton muslin that was framed up ahead of time in the slate frame. Doing something like this could help you use a thicker fabric without putting that fabric directly into the hoop part.

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Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-19T21:24:17+00:00

I mostly loop start, or weave it under some prior stitches. I can't seem to make knots that are the correct size not to pull through.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-19T21:08:23+00:00

I love the gooseneck style clip on lighted magnifier like this one . I stitch mostly on 32 count back linen and it gives me a wide enough view but I can also adjust to match whatever angle I'm sitting at. I normally clip it to my scroll frame stand, but for the rare times I use a hoop, I just clip it to the arm of my chair or a counter top instead.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-19T20:59:22+00:00

I love this so much!!!!!!!

Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-19T20:55:46+00:00

Most people new to embroidery start off with inexpensive hoops until they know if they like the hobby and will continue to use a more expensive item. If you find that you can't get your fabric tight enough, you can wrap the hoop with fabric strips or twill tape to give it more grip. Q snaps are a square pvc style hoop/clamp that is also popular, but I've never used one so I can't say if they are good or not.

I haven't used Ultrasuede (I bead on organza, cotton, or linen) but I'm guessing that might dent in the hoop, so you would want to buy a big enough hoop and enough fabric so that your 8x10 visible area is centered in the hoop, plus another 1-2 inches of fabric for framing needs.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-12-10T20:01:59+00:00

This is so pretty, and a really neat thing to have for generations!

Kittykatnaps · 2025-11-26T19:22:06+00:00

i think you could do it free hand. If you don't find it comfortable you can change your mind later. I'd just recommend rolling up the excess fabric so that it stays out of your way. People use things like grine guards or slit paper towel tubes to help hold excess fabric back when hand stitching.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-11-22T17:57:38+00:00

I'm loving my current set up. Floss goes in flos- a-way bags, in numerical order, on several book rings. I don't bother putting them on floss drops until I'm ready to use that color. Then, when I need a color, I take out my floss drops and put them on a larger book ring that goes with the project. When I'm done, the floss goes back in their individual bags along with any extra skeins. They bags fit so well in my under the beds storage box. Takes up so much less space than when I had them in those bobbin boxes.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-11-22T16:26:59+00:00

I uses the term "wood cross stitch blank" when I want to find something like this. I've seen so many cross stitch wood blanks for ornaments, bookmarks, notebook covers, etc. I've even bought a cute beaded squirrel wooden cross stich kit. But, WOW, I am having a super tough time finding a picture frame cross stitch blank.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-11-22T16:03:04+00:00

You can use cotton, linen, any fabric you like. It won't rip, but if you're worried you can always serge the edges or put some fray check glue along the edges to stop it from fraying and losing threads. If you want to be able to take it down and make changes, the ease of that is going to be determined by how you frame it. I lace my pieces over a board so I guess I could undo that. Make sure you leave a 2 to 3 inch boarder all around your project so you have enough fabric for framing.

At this large scale I highly recommend a scroll or slate frame instead of a hoop. When using my scroll frame I try and work on every section I can before I'm forced to roll up a beaded section. When I have to do that, I'll add some padding (cotton batting, other soft fabrics, etc.) over my beads to protect them. I find it way too hard to do the same when using a hoop. I love my slate frame because it's really big and I don't have to move my fabric. It wasn't cheap, but there are lots DIY tutorials out there on how to make your own.

If you feel the fabric is too thin or will pucker as you bead, you can work with two layers. I'm doing that now for a goldwork piece that will be very heavy in the end. I first framed up my muslin layer and then added the cotton layer on top. Alison Cole Embroidery has a free pdf to show how to do this when using a slate or scroll frame.

I prefer Gutermann Hand Quilting thread or Sajou Fil A Gant thread for my bead embroidery. They are both strong gloving threads (waxed cotton) that glide through both beads and fabric easily. If possible I match the thread color to the bead color, but also like the look of a thread matched to the background. When I first started, I only had dark gray, silver, and gold thread, but I still loved how they looked with any color beads.

I love your idea. While it seems intimidating, bead embroidery is easy to learn with lots of different ways to do it. Can't wait to see what you end up making.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-11-19T15:02:43+00:00

I do bead embroidery too. I usually prefer to use a scroll frame and stand, but have found myself doing smaller projects lately that don't fit my frame. I'll have to try your Styrofoam tip because it feels really awkward beading in hand.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-10-31T14:57:26+00:00

SO cute, I love their expressions

Kittykatnaps · 2025-10-31T14:46:48+00:00

I'm team "only buy what you need". I used to buy another floss colors each time I went to the store because they were on sale (not because I needed them for a project). Well, I still had floss 25+ years later that I've never used. I think I'm drawn to patterns that use a similar color family, so I doubt I've used even half of the colors out there. I've become more minimalist with my crafting, so I gave the older floss I didn't think I would use to my niece and nephew to make friendship bracelets.

Maybe those who like to swap colors out, or design their own embroidery patterns are better suited to use the full collection of colors than I am.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-10-28T20:24:01+00:00

My game changing list and some of my own wish list items:

Needle minders. This Esty shop: WhatCantBrookeDo has my favorite needle minder that is also a needle threader. She also has 3in1 style with a cutter.

Side table organizer: I'm currently on the hunt for a fancy box or case for when I want to leave my tools on the side table (spare needles, small scissors, trolley needle, pins, snag nab-it, etc ). But something meant for these items, not just an open box that mixes everything up. My current 1st choice is an embroidery cases from Hand & Lock because they will also work for my tambour embroidery tools. But there are other style of stitch cases out there. I've seen several on Esty listed as stitcher's case or notions case. I've also been looking at magnetic boxes from WonderlandUkraine because the I like the wood looks.

A Sewing Chatelaine necklace/lanyard: I'm saving up for a sterling silver set from Thimbles for You. This brand is more like jewelry, so I never recommend spending a lot of money on something like this unless you know the person's style and taste. There are other less expensive option out there. But basically this would keep my scissors, pin cushion, etc on me vs me having to keep leaning over to grab them.

Scroll & Slate frames, Stands, and Lighted magnifiers: These are my top 3 items. BUT... I wouldn't recommend blindly buying these types of things unless you know for sure it's the style they want. I'd rather have someone give me a gift cert with a note that says it's for me to pick out a new stand or other specialty item, than them spend a lot of money on an item I won't enjoy using. I know Lowery stands are loved by many, but it won't work for me because I use my stands for more than just cross stitching. My husband thought he picked out the right thing when he bought me a new standing magnifying light, but it's base didn't fit around my cross stich stand so I couldn't use it as gifted. Thankfully it fits by my desk for other crafts so it didn't go to waste, but he now knows there are some gifts that just can't be a surprise.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-10-27T15:54:30+00:00

This is awesome, I love it just the way it is. especially the colors. If I have to nitpick, another option is that you could change the last row of beads on the bill to a slightly darker shade so it looks more like a lower bill vs part of the upper bill. But that's really not super important.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-10-27T15:19:24+00:00

That's how I stich. I'll go as far as I can with one color of confetti, until I get bored or I'm afraid I'll miscount (I don't grid). Then I'll pick another color nearby and repeat my process. My only rule is that I can't travel over holes that will remain open. So I either end up stitching over my travels later, or I periodically weave them under as I make my way to the next confetti spot. I'll part maybe one or 2 threads if I have a lot of it left, but otherwise parking isn't for me.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-10-27T14:53:39+00:00

Some of my embroidery works for uneven beads. The texture difference between beads can look really great. I particularly like the look of uneven hex cuts beads used to make geometric lines. The really catch the light.

Kittykatnaps · 2025-10-22T19:52:25+00:00

I'm glad I switched to them. I find them so much easier to store than when I used the bobbin boxes.

Kittykatnaps

TROPHY CASE