pages 40-43
◾Bead spinner (page 40)
◾11/0 and 10/0 seed beads
◾26-gauge wire
◾Curved big-eye needle
◾Wire clippers
◾Small needle-nose pliers
◾Small funnel (optional)
◾Bead scoop (optional)
We offer variations on two basic beading techniques—Continuous Loop and Basic Loop—to make these projects.
The projects are prepped by stringing all the beads needed for each one onto wire attached to a spool. You’ll want to string at least 20"–24" or one tube of beads onto your wire (easy to do using a bead spinner, which is available at most crafts stores) to make sure you have plenty. It’s better to have more beads on the wire than you think you might need. You can reuse any beads left on the wire. Follow these steps before jumping into each how-to.
Using your bead spinner spinning counterclockwise, spin beads onto a spool of wire with a curved big-eye needle. Do not cut the wire.
Knot or crimp the end of the wire so the beads don’t fall off.
This technique will yield flowers that look like daisies and poppies. You’ll create each flower with a series of loops (one loop = one petal) then form the petals into a circle to create a flower.
1. Prep a spool of wire with beads (see “Getting Started,” below left).
2. Slide about 3"–4" of beads toward the knotted end, leaving 3" of wire bare between this length of beads and the knot (in the bare wire). Let the rest of the beads fall back to the beaded wire on the spool.
3. With the length of beads, create a loop (A, right) and twist the wire at the base of the loop three times with your fingers to secure (B).
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3, leaving a small space between each loop (C and D) until you have the desired number of petals.
5. Cut the wire with wire clippers, leaving a 4" tail. Cross this tail over the base of the first loop to complete a circle (E). Twist the two wire ends together.
6. Finish with a center of your choice and a stem (see “Flower Centers” and “Stem,” opposite).
Layered Continuous Loops
This variation will give you a fuller flower with multiple layers of petals, like a zinnia. Using the loop technique, create a few flowers of the same or different diameters. Then stack the flowers on top of each other with the largest on the bottom and smallest on top (above).
Continuous Wraparound Loops
For flowers that have petals with multiple loops (above), use this technique. Make your first continuous loop, then instead of immediately creating your second loop, wrap a length of wire with beads around the first loop (either snug around the first loop or with some space between).
Continuous Loops in Sections
This technique is used to create flowers with lots of long, skinny petals, like spider mums (above). Follow the Continuous Loop steps and create five or six long, tight loops. Instead of completing a circle to form a flower, leave the loops as they are (will become one section of the final flower). Repeat until you have about six sections (each with five or six loops). Join the sections by twisting the wire ends together to form the flower.
Lateral Continuous Loops
Use this technique for loopy leaves (right) and our Napkin Rings (page 90). This process is similar to the Continuous Loop technique, but instead of creating loops next to each other, you’ll stack them on either side of a central wire. As you form each loop, bring the end of the loop to the bare wire and twist, alternating sides as you add loops (F).
Use this technique to create filled-in shapes like leaves and individual petals. You’ll form each shape by wrapping lengths of beads around a central section of beads (known as the basic count) in a spiral movement.
1. Prep a spool of wire with beads (see “Getting Started,” opposite).
2. Slide 2" of beads (this will be called the basic count and is Row 1) so they sit about 4" below the knotted end (this space between the beads and the knot will be called the basic wire). Let the rest of the beads fall back to the beaded wire on the spool. Take 4" of bare wire below the basic count and make a loop. Twist the wires together three times to secure (G, right).
NOTE: Don’t make the twists too tight or the wire could break.
3. Bring a length of beads slightly longer than the basic count up from the spool and push this length snugly against the left side of the basic count (H). This section is called Row 2.
4. Wrap the working wire around the basic wire from back to front (L and N). Wrap at a 45-degree angle for a pointed end (L and M) and a 90-degree angle for a rounded end (N and O).
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the right side of the basic count to create Row 3 (I).
6. Repeat Steps 3–5, bringing up more beads for each row (J) until you have your desired number of rows.
7. Cut the basic wire ¼" above the top bead and bend the short tail to the back side of the leaf/petal. Cut the loop open and twist the wires together. These will become the stem. Cut the working wire, leaving a 3" tail, and wrap the tail around the base of the leaf three times to secure (K). Trim excess wire.
8. If using as a leaf, add to the stem of a flower. If using as a petal, make your desired number of petals and twist the wires together to form a flower.
Form one of the centers below, then insert its wire tail through the middle of a flower, and twist the wires together.
Continuous Loop Center
For a bunched-loop center (right), use the Continuous Loop technique to make five to eight ½"–1" petals. Once petals are formed into a circle, scrunch them together.
Beehive or Dome Center
Follow the Basic Loop technique with a two- or three-bead basic count and wrap five rows with a rounded bottom and top (90-degree twists, N). As you begin to wrap Row 6, do so slightly below the adjacent row with one or two fewer beads (P). Continue to wrap each row slightly lower, removing one or two beads per row to create the dome shape (above).
1. Finish your flowers and leaves with a stem. Gather the wires below the flower and twist together so they appear as one wire.
2. Cut a piece of 20-gauge wire slightly longer than your desired length of stem. Create a hook shape on one end and slide this hook through the base of the flower. Twist all the wires together with needle-nose pliers.
3. Wrap the stem with florists tape (above). If adding leaves, lay the leaf wire parallel to the stem, wrap the leaf stem around the flower stem, and continue to wrap with florists tape.
4. If you like, wrap the stem with embroidery floss. With a 1" tail of floss hanging along the stem, hold the floss and begin tightly wrapping it around the stem, covering the 1" piece of floss. Stop about ½" from stem end.
5. Wrap a piece of double-stick tape around the last ½" of the stem. Wrap the embroidery floss over the tape. Once stem is wrapped, cut the floss, leaving a ½" tail. Apply craft glue to the tail and wrap around stem; let dry.
Additional Materials
◾ Wool felt
◾ Pin back
◾ Hot-glue gun
1. Follow the Basic Loop technique (page 89) through Step 7 to make five shapes with pointed tops and pointed bottoms (twist at 45 degrees) using the following dimensions.
◾Two bow loops: 2" basic count, 11 rows
◾Two bow tails: 1½" basic count, 9 rows
◾Center of bow: ½" basic count, 7 rows
2. Once you have formed each shape, assemble the bow: Fold each bow loop in half so the points are together; twist the end wires together to secure. Then twist the wires of both loops together so the loops sit like a bow and trim wires to equal length. Wrap excess wire around the point where the loops meet.
3. Gather the two tails and cross their wires so the tails form a V shape; twist to secure. Wrap the wires of the now-connected tails where the bow loops meet.
4. Wrap the bow center piece around the middle section of the loops and tails (where you wrapped the excess loop and tail wire). Twist the center wires together to secure; trim excess wire, leaving a tail about ¼". Fold the tail over on the back of the bow.
5. If you are using the bow as a pin (below left), cut a small rectangle of wool felt slightly larger than your pin back and hot-glue felt to pin back. Hot-glue this piece to the back of the bow.
1. Prep a beaded wire with one tube or 23" of both sizes of beads using this alternating color technique: String desired length of one color of beads onto wire with bead spinner; empty beads from bead spinner using a small funnel and bead scoop if you like. Add your next color into the spinner and string desired length of beads onto the same wire. Repeat as necessary.
2. Following the Lateral Continuous Loops technique (page 88), create a 1" loop. Repeat, creating five to eight loops, increasing number of beads used for each loop.
3. Wrap the bare wire around a bare section of the beaded wire (the working wire) three times. Untie or trim the bare wire knot.
4. Lay the working wire and the bare wire next to each other and slightly twist together.
5. Slide 13" of beads from the beaded wire over the twisted wires to the base of the leaf shape created in Step 2. Cut working wire, leaving a 1" tail; tie a knot.
6. Repeat Steps 1–3 to create a second leaf shape. Join this leaf shape to the knot made in Step 5 by twisting the wires together. Wrap the twisted wires neatly around the base of the second leaf shape (above). Trim excess wire. Wrap around a napkin and interlock the leaves.
◾ ¼ yd. or less lace fabric with flower or other desired shapes
◾ Parchment paper
◾ Iron-on adhesive
◾ Iron
◾ 9×12" wool felt sheet
◾ Embroidery needle and floss
◾ Assorted beads
Custom Patch
1. Cut a section of fabric slightly larger than the area you want to embellish; this will be your finished patch.
2. On a piece of parchment paper, place the patch right side down.
3. Cut a piece of iron-on adhesive the same size as your piece of fabric/patch.
4. Follow the instructions on the adhesive package to adhere one side of the adhesive to the back of the patch using an iron; let cool.
5. Cut a piece of wool felt approximately 1" larger than your patch. Adhere the patch onto the felt using an iron, following the instructions on the adhesive package.
6. Thread the embroidery needle with an 18" length of embroidery floss; knot at one end.
7. Embroider the fabric, following its existing lines. We used a satin stitch to form the long, straight stitches that fill in the shape. Continue to embroider, changing floss when necessary, until you achieve the desired look. Tie a knot and trim excess thread.
8. For beaded accents, stitch each bead to the patch using the embroidery needle and thread. Use beads to accentuate the center of a flower (like the largest patches, left), to outline all the shapes in a design, or in an allover pattern to add dimension.
Embellished Purchased Patch
If you’re starting with a ready-made patch (like the butterflies, above left), simply stitch beads onto the patch with an embroidery needle and floss.
by ELLA FIELD illustrations AGNES BICOCCHI
PHOTOS: (BEADED FLOWERS IN VASES) CARSON DOWNING, (MATERIALS, FLOWERS, CENTERS, LEAVES) BRIE GOLDMAN; CRAFTS BY: KIM HUTCHISON
PHOTOS: (BOOKS, BOW, NAPKIN RING) BRIE GOLDMAN, (PATCHES) KELSEY HANSEN