"NEW" is always a keyword in the quilt world: everyone wants to be up on the latest trends! Interest in bead embellishment has now reached all skill levels and age groups of quilters. It encompasses beginners to accomplished stitchers, as well as traditional and contemporary artists. One can't attend a quilt show without noticing the impact this fun new element has added to our quilts. (ABOUT TIME I SAY!!)

The bead bug bit me during the process of creating my very first "original design" quilt in the early 1980's and haven't stopped experimenting since. Many of you are just getting acquainted with this new medium, so along with this newfound curiosity, comes a need to learn the proper methods to attach beads to fabric surfaces.

Workshops, of course, are always an effective way to learn. For instance, my classes offer hands-on exercises to jump-start the learning curve. My students are always so surprised when they realize, after only a few basic stitches, that they've learned about three-quarters of what I know! Variations of these simple methods keep the learning process alive, interesting, and make the results unique. When a workshop option isn't possible, seek out books that feature illustrated step-by-step techniques, descriptive text, and photographs as further guidance. Sadly, the subject of most bead books is focused on jewelry making, be sure you look for one written for quilters.

Learning to bead is a visual activity, so rather than attempting the impossible, I want to focus on another aspect to help assure success. One very important component of beading is fabric stability. From my personal observation as an instructor and frequent judge, it's an area that is all too often overlooked. Fabric that is not properly prepared to hold up to beadwork will generally pucker and distort out of shape. The beads will be affected as well. Often, even if the beading technique was correctly executed, their appearance can be altered if adequate support isn't available.

With years of experience behind me, I've created some basic guidelines that you can apply as needed. Please be aware, these are simply guidelines and not rules.

• Always stabilize your work by beading in a hand held frame or quilt hoop.
• Beading prior to sandwiching the quilt enables the threads to be hidden and protected between the layers.
• If beading is done after the quilt is completed, try to catch the quilt top and batting as you stitch.
• Stabilize the quilt top with batting: Batting is required anyway, so why not use it as a foundation to support the beadwork? Simply baste batting to the wrong side of the quilt top and bead. (80/20 cotton poly battings are a good choice for large quilts, smaller ones work well with Hobbs Thermore)
• Stabilize with muslin: Use this method when creating an appliquéd background. The muslin foundation will support the applique pieces and a fair amount of beading.
• Stabilize with fusibles: Here are two distinctly different types of fusible product suggestions.
  1. The first is a lightweight paper-backed adhesive web used to fuse two layers of fabric together when preparing machine applique designs. It will support a high concentration of beading while remaining pucker-free; yet passing the needle through the extra layers is only slightly more difficult.
  2. Another choice is a fusible tricot interfacing for use in garment construction. The prepared fabric will remain quite drapable with the ability to accept a fair amount of beadwork without fabric distortion.

Always take your time to consider how much beading you will incorporate into a project, and consider its impact. Remember, if you've begun a project that you had intended to only add a few beads, and suddenly find your ideas have grown, simply baste batting to the wrong side of the quilt top and bead away, it's my fail-safe stabilizing solution.

I hope these tips will provide a solid foundation for your bead embellished quilt projects!

©2003 Mary Stori
www.quilt.com/MaryS

About the Quilt Shown Above:
"It's All In The Needle!" (c) 2003 Mary Stori
17" x 14"

This quilt is a surprise gift for Jean S. Lyle (shssshhhh, don't tell!), who supplies me with superior quality needles for beading and quilting. The beadwork serves as the quilts' design. The stitching was done through the quilt top and batting, treating the two layers as one. It was backed, quilted, and bound after beading.