Beadwork was very popular in Victorian times when it was used to decorate evening dresses and bags and in furnishings such as cushions and footstools.
Nowadays many cross stitch designs have a few beads to add dimension and interest but it is also possible to work patterns completely in counted beadwork either on fabric, waste canvas or perforated paper to make a variety of exciting articles and cards.
Beads are attached with a half cross stitch using either a beading needle or a fine needle number 9 or 10 with a double thread of the chosen floss. All crosses must be worked in the same direction. As with cross stitch, never use knots but work the end of the thread into the back of your work.
Choose a thread shade to match the fabric and not the beads so that you don't have to change thread when you change to a different colour of bead. It's best to work in rows where possible and each bead will tighten when you begin the next stitch.
As with cross stitch, practice will soon make perfect and you will find it easy to get the correct tension.
We have selected a few leaflets from top designers especially to try this interesting craft:
From Country Cross Stitch, Beaded Favourites is a large range of flowery designs;
Stoney Creek's Beaded Christmas ornaments has instructions for 19 projects, and
Imaginating's Beaded Accents has four patterns to be worked on garments.
If you would like to find out more about these booklets click here.
These would make a good starting point to try out the art of beadwork and give you the confidence to be more adventurous with beads in other designs.
Click OK to remove this item or Cancel to keep it in the list
Click OK to empty your shopping cart or Cancel to keep it as it is
Sorry - your shopping cart is full so you can't add any more items.
We have only XITEMSINSTOCK in stock so some of your order may be despatched later. Please contact us if you need more information.
We have only XABSITEMSINSTOCK available. Please contact us if you need more information.
(incl. discount of XLINEDISCOUNT)
XTOTALDISCOUNT
You will now be redirected to PayPal's secure checkout page. This may take a few seconds to display. You do not need to create a PayPal account to pay this way.
Please use your browser's bookmark button to add this page to your favourites.
You have selected one or more patterns that you must download yourself to your own computer. IMPORTANT! Please read carefully the page that follows payment for the instructions on downloading (we will also send you an email). Please click OK to confirm that you wish to proceed, or Cancel to return to the cart.
We regret this item is currently unavailable. It is possible that someone else has recently purchased the last one.
Please select a delivery country before proceeding to checkout.
The shopping cart cannot be displayed - you may have an old version of cart software. Please refresh this page or shut down and restart your browser.
Important!Please click I am in Western Canada if you are in British Columbia, Alberta or The Yukon
Due to severe and persistent delays at the Vancouver Customs facility we have suspended deliveries to British Columbia, Alberta and The Yukon until a normal delivery service is resumed.
We offer a variety of secure payment methods for your safety and convenience:
Mastercard or Visa credit and debit cards
PayPal®, the world's leading on-line payment processor
Cheque Payment (£GBP only)
No-quibble money back guarantee
Telephone supportin UK: 0207-100-3509 in US/Canada: 206-886-0514 International: (+)44-207-100-3509
"I have received my chart I ordered yesterday ,what excellent service 24 hour from placing order to receiving the chart. I will certainly use your company again and pass your name on to like minded friends. Thank you" - VB, Yorks., United Kingdom
"Dear Arts and Designs, Just a note of thanks and to let you know the cross stitch arrived yesterday (Thursday). It was very well packed and in perfect condition and thank you so much for your prompt despatch. Yours sincerely" - DS, QLD, Australia
"Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for the prompt manner in which you filled my order. I just ordered three more kits and I am sure this will not be my last order. Its refreshing to find a dealer that delivers exactly what is promised. Also the directions in the kit were very detailed and left nothing to guess work. Thanks again to my newly found friends across the pond." - MD, CA, United States
Important - Non-UK Orders
Royal Mail are beginning to get on top of their problems so we're dipping our toe in the water and despatching a few overseas items over the next few days.
