How to Make Fabric Beads

 Today I thought I would share with you instructions on how to make 

one of my favorite fabric beads which I call Eye Candy Beads.

I have been making and teaching these designs for years now. 

I hope you like it.

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!