How to Use Plastic Beads
- 1). Choose an evening purse, a scarf or a pair of plain heels that are comfortable to wear for the first bead project.
- 2). If you want an unusual evening purse, select one in a color that you wear a lot. Choose either metallic plastic beads, beads that either match or are a pleasing contrast to the color of the purse. Ask yourself whether you want a flower shape, a swirl design, or a simple pattern of several lines, for example. Using the tailor's chalk pencil, draw your design right on the fabric of the purse. Next, thread the large-eye needle with waxed dental floss, and knot the end of it. Hide the knot inside the purse, in a side or bottom seam, and bring the needle to the fabric outside of the purse. Continue to hold the needle with one hand.
- 3). Pick up and drop the first plastic bead onto the needle's point. Slide it down the length of the needle, and pull the needle through the fabric of the purse. Take a tiny stitch in the fabric, and then push the needle back through the side of the purse and once again on the inside. Be careful not to stab yourself with the needle. Pull the floss so that the plastic bead lies smoothly against the purse material. Turn the needle, and go back through the fabric, pushing the needle through to the outer fabric once again. You've just sewn on your first bead for a glamorous evening purse. Repeat as many times as needed until you have the entire bead design sewn onto your purse.
- 4). Use plastic beads and strong craft glue to create your own sparkling heels for the evening. Mark your design on each shoe with the tailor's chalk pencil. If you want the design to point in a certain direction, be sure to place the shoes in front of you, facing the same way as they will while you're wearing them. Glue on the beads one by one, being careful not to get too much glue on any one bead. It also helps to immediately wash any extra glue off your fingers as you're working.
- 5). For a truly distinctive scarf, mark your design with the tailor's chalk pencil on one end of it. This is so you can have the scarf trail dramatically either down your back, or across one shoulder. Sew on your choice of plastic beads just as you would for your evening purse, keeping the stitches very tiny and hiding any knots behind other beads when possible. A scarf is a little harder project, since both sides of it are apt to be seen.
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