How to Make Fabric Beads

Supplies

 

• knitting needles (any size will work...I like to use a metal needle in size 13, 
• fabric ( any kind will work...I like to work with sheers/glitzy fabrics)
• an assortment of seed beads in all sizes
• a good quality thread (or beading thread...I use a Nymo size D), 
• glitzy/funky fibers, 
• a needle, pins and basic sewing supplies.

Cut a strip of fabric about 45 inches long.

Wrap it tightly (about 5 times) around the knitting needle....

then twist and wrap the fabric to create gentle folds.

 

pin in place

 

Determine what kind of fiber you think would work best with your fabric choice.

Here I am using this confetti look-alike fiber.

Wrap it and pin in place.

   

I could finish here....but I want to add a little more color to it, so 

I use this other fiber around it.

Wrap and pin in place.

I like to place the seed beads on a piece of felt so they don't bounce and roll off my table.

 

Thread your needle, double strand, hide the knot inside the fabric, and randomly stitch the beads on your fabric bead.

While you are stitching the beads, make sure that you go through all the layers. 

This will anchor the fabric, the fibers and the beads all at the same time.

      

When you are done, pull the bead off the knitting needle and 

 it will look something like this.

When you get the hang of it, you may want to make a whole bunch in stages....

It saves time if you do all the wrapping at the same time...

then the beading and so forth.

  

Here are a few that I have finished.

Enjoy!

 

 

Comments

[yvette]

iam amaze with this bead,just love it .love the colors.Thank you for sharing.God bless you.

[Heidi Belmont]

These are so great, I will be trying this out!
Thanks so much!

[yvette]

Love this craft.
Ithink i will mke some.I have some leftover scraps that I did't know what to do with them and you inspirer me with your fabulous beads.God bless you.

[Helga]

only Lovely

[Rita Ackerman]

Wow. These are wonderful. I too followed the link over and am inspired to make these beads. Thank you for sharing this wonderful technique.
Rita

[Rachel]

These are GORGEOUS! What a riot of color. I just clicked over from Craft Gossip and I'm so glad I did. I would love to link to this if you didn't mind.

[Kelli Perkin]

These are heartbreakingly lovely. I will be making some very soon! Thanks for your perfect tutorial and great photos. Very inspirational. Kelli

[Grace]

Wow..I like your work!!
Its awesome..
I love your designs..
You inspired me to doing something like this..

[Eden]

Gosh Alma...everything is soooo darn fun here. I had to post the recyle magazine project. It is just too cool and yes it would make for beautiful journal sheets! I am so happy I discovered you. Your the best! Thanks for sharing. Blessings Eden

[Diana Trout]

These are so much fun, Alma! Thanks for sharing this idea. I have a stash of scraps that will be perfect!

[Marci Glenn]

Alma - these are lovely. Eye candy for sure.

[Christine]

Cool! They remind me of funky little caterpillers.

[Gloria]

Very cool, Alma! Thanks for sharing.

[Allison]

OMG! you've got my thinking now. Watch out!

[Kathy Gledsdale]

Pretty cool

[cm]

these are great! is the fabric strip really 45 inches long? or is it 4 to 5? thanks!

[Noel]

And to think I almost got rid of all my knitting needles....now I found a new use for them....TFS!
Hugs,
Noel

[jessica loughrey]

very funky and fun! i will have to try this.

[Judy Coates Perez]

fun little wrapped packages of fiber goodness!

[Ruth Anne]

These look like a lot of fun.

[Sarah Davis]

Thanks Alma. Super fun!

[Melly]

These are a lot o f fun, Alma. Bright little treasures.