Question: Does bead embroidery require previous embroidery or sewing experience?
Answer: Not at all! Our kits utilize a simple back-stitching technique which is similar to cross stitching and a color coding system that's as easy to follow as paint-by-number!
Question: Are bead embroidery kits suitable for children?
Answer: Yes, bead embroidery is a great hobby for kids! When choosing kits for children, look for smaller kits that can be finished quickly such as Ornaments, Small kits (5.9" x 5.9") or Pennant kits. The quick learning curve of bead embroidery makes it easy for kids to pick up and the colorful designs and tactile experience keeps them interested. Be mindful that all embroidery kits include sharp sewing needles and tiny beads which can pose a choking hazard and are not suitable for very small children.
Question: Do the bead embroidery kits come with needles and thread?
Answer: Yes, all the kits include sufficient thread to complete the project as well as sharp tipped sewing needles. Large kits include multiple sewing needles, in case of loss or breakage.
Question: What if I make a color mistake? Will I run out of beads?
Answer: There's no need to fret over an occasional color mistake. Kits include an extra percentage of all colors of beads, in case of mistakes or bead loss. If you feel you've worked a large area in the wrong color, you may want to stop and examine your project to see whether the color you used can be exchanged for the other color later on. If not, you may need to unstitch. If you ever need help, feel free to contact us!
Question: How long does it take to finish a bead embroidery kit?
Answer: Although a very common question, there is no definite answer. How many hours a project takes will depend on the individual speed of each beader. As a rule of thumb, Ornament and Small (5.9" x 5.9") kits are suitable as weekend projects. Medium kits (7.9" x 7.9") are good for a week or two week's stitching. Large kits may take months to complete, depending on the number of hours spent on the project. When choosing a kit, always remember that it is not the physical size of the embroidery that determines how long it will take. Some designs are heavily beaded over the whole surface of the fabric, while others are lightly beaded. It's the number of beads, not the size of the kit, that determines how long it will take to complete. Very experienced beaders may be able to stitch 500-600 beads per hour, while newer beaders may be closer to 50-100 beads per hour. Wherever you start out, you will get faster with practice! If you're on a time crunch, you may not need to choose a small kit...just look for a kit with a lower bead count.
Question: Is bead embroidery the same as cross stitching or diamond painting?
Answer: No, bead embroidery is a completely different craft than either cross stitching or diamond painting.
Comparison to Cross Stitching: Utilizing the same back stitch as cross stitching, there are several key differences: 1) bead embroidery is worked on a pre-printed canvas, unlike cross stitching which is usually worked on blank fabric. 2) The color in bead embroidery comes from the beads, rather than the floss, which means you never have to change floss colors! In bead embroidery you use a single white thread to stitch your beads and don't have to change thread until you run out. 3) Bead embroidery uses a color key, printed on the canvas, so you don't have to refer back and forth to a printed pattern.
Comparison to Diamond Painting: In the sense that colored pieces are being matched to a key on the fabric, bead embroidery and diamond painting are alike. But in reality, they are two very different techniques. 1) Diamond painting does not involve any stitching. It utilizes sticky fabric to hold the 'diamonds' in place. Whereas, in bead embroidery the beads are stitched on the fabric. 2) The colored pieces used in diamond painting are not beads. They are solid rhinestone-shaped pieces made of a polymer resin. The bead embroidery kits we sell use high-quality, Czech, Preciosa beads which are made of glass.
Question: Why are the measurements of my embroidery not in exact inches?
Answer: The bead embroidery kits we sell are manufactured in Europe using the metric system. For this reason, not all measurements convert exactly into even inches. For example, our Small Kits are 5.9" x 5.9". Oftentimes, if the measurement is close, this will not prevent you from using a non-metric frame to finish your project. For example, a 6" x 6" frame is often perfectly suitable for small kits -- it may cut off a very thin edge of the image, but will not really be noticeable.
Question: Do I have to frame my finished bead embroidery? If so, where can I buy frames?
Answer: Because of the sturdy painter's canvas that the embroidery kits use, it is not required to finish your project by framing. The edges of the fabric are secure and will not unravel. This allows for creative uses, such as stitching to the front of pillow covers, etc. However they must be framed for wall hanging. All the frameable embroidery kits include an extra area around the stitched canvas, allowing for the option to finish with a Gallery Wrap, instead of a traditional frame.
When buying frames, keep in mind that these embroidery kits are manufactured in Europe and therefore are cut to a metric size. Ideally, source metric frames (which are widely available from online custom framing shops), or local custom framers. If you don't have access to metric frames, choose the closest imperial size. Always be sure to measure your finished piece first to see exactly how far the beading goes in each direction, as you cannot place a frame over the beads. If needed, choose a frame slightly larger than your beaded area -- for example, if your beaded area is 12.4" x 10.8", you might want to choose a 12.5" x 11" frame. But if the beads don't cover the entire area, you may be able to choose a 12.5" x 11.75" frame and thereby be closer to the actual size, only cutting off 0.05" of the picture.
Question: Can I buy more beads for my kit?
Answer: We do not currently sell replacement beads for kits, however every kit comes with an extra percentage of each color, so you should have plenty of beads to complete your project.
Question: Should I wash my bead embroidery?
Answer: No. Unlike cross stitching or other types of embroidery, it is best not to wash bead embroidery upon completion. The fabric does not wrinkle during stitching. When you're finished beading, you can go straight to framing. Because the image is printed onto the canvas fabric, it is very important to never twist, rub, scratch or fold the bead embroidery, which can result in damaging the image.
