Hey everybody! i know this kinda weird because i'm supposed to talk about tatting stuff here, but i couldn't stop my internal will to share with all of you readers for this simple techniques of sewing beads on fabrics!
For your information, I already have my tatted earrings done.I just cant wait to post it in here!
Back to square one, some of you might already know bout this little thing, in fact i do even before i joined the class 3 days ago.This thing might be a piece of cake for some of you,for you already get used to it.But maybe there are certain techniques that you are lacking of in this art.I dont promise great techniques, but for a first timer this is an ideal start for you to pack your leisure time sewing beads, with the right way,and you'll realise theres more to it!
Joining the sewing beads class session for 4 hours which i thought should be 8(it really should be!,but nevermind) really had providing me a good practice to learn 8 kinds of motives.These motives are catogorised as Level 1.In this class, i had the chance to learn only one from three levels.So maybe if i have the chance for taking the class again, i'll go for it.Eventhough they charged me RM10.00, my mom said eventhough it pays you money..it is actually something MONEY CANNOT BUY.There's truth in it right?Anyway,its a good idea to join in such classes before i started getting busy.
Here, i'll try to explain to you as clearly as i can.I swear i never write instructional writings before and i'm quite afraid if my instructions are not clear enough. I find it quite hard to explain something in writing especially in this kind of thing(which i thought is easy but i was wrong), something which is supposed to be taught infront of you in live action...just like Teppanyaki..lol..But well i'll try my best. =)
As i have just mentioned above, i learnt LEVEL 1 technique, which composed of eight motives altogether which are:
1. JAHIT ULAT-ULAT
2. JAHIT TABUR
3. JAHIT PIRAMID
4. JAHIT PINTAL
5. JAHIT SERONG
6. JAHIT ARROW
7. JAHIT OMBAK
8. JAHIT X-RAY
Since the class was taught in Malay, i choose to let the names the way they are which are in Malay although i'm explaining in English because i'm sure its not gonna harm your understanding..
First I would like to give you a few facts and tips whenever you wish to start sewing beads.
• The needle that you are going to use is N0:11....so that it could go through the beads.
• I suggest you to get beads, which are the ones from Japan as they are known for its quality.You hardly find irregular beads got mixed together in the same packet, or 'impurity' beads from different kind of bead in another packet of beads..I witness its quality when mom hit a cylindrical bead using a hammer..and it didnt crash!plus it is also very cheap!
• For the fabric which has been sewn with beads, dry clean or just by rinsing the fabric would be enough.You surely wouldn't wish to see the beads falling off after all your hARTwork(not to mention artwork or hardwork.. =B)
• For a nice touch, use nylon thread instead of cotton thread.
AND THIS IS THE HOTTEST TIP: WHENEVER IT HAPPENS THAT YOU SEW THE BEADS WRONGLY, FOR EXAMPLE YOU TOOK THE WRONG BEADS, DONT JUST GIVE UP AND GIVE IT AN END TO YOUR WORK BY CUTTING THE THREAD OFF AND START ALL OVER AGAIN!
Just simply create a tension on the fabric by stretching the fabric, and gently get the needle out of the fabric from the other side by pulling the thread.Just as simple as that.
I'll start with the first one..lets have a look at my first trial...
JAHIT ULAT-ULAT
Just ignore the white thread which comes 'out of the blue'..haha
You must have seen this motive sewn in clothes normally on traditional attires.. and also for tote bags as well.
This motive just require easy steps to make it.
1. make a circle on the fabric u would like to sew the beads on.If the circle is big than it will require you more work to finish it up..for small circle, vice versa.
2. As usual, after you already have the needle and thread prepared, insert the needle into the fabric and make sure it comes out at the centre of the circle you have drawn.
3. Then insert 3 round beads of any colour you like(for this motive the round beads are the best to be used) into the needle.
4. Insert the needle back at the same spot when it first comes out of the circle.
5. Insert the needle up again into the fabric by making sure it is near to the one you just make.and continue step 1-4 until you complete the entire circle!
TIT BIT TIPS FOR THIS FIRST MOTIVE
• For training purposes, you may just use the usual sewing thread.Otherwise, for a serious work, you should use a nylon thread for it gives a beautiful look on your work and the effects are more impressive!
• For the beads, I suggest you to use the round beads because it gives a nicer touch on the motive rather than the cylindrical beads because the round beads are more suitable.
• Ensure the beads you are sewing are really close to each other.
• Make sure the thread you are using are the same colour as the beads.Unless for creativity purposes, there's just no limit to it!
JAHIT TABUR
As you can see, i tried to do it in 2 ways.One a little bit far from each other, another way I sew it in groups.Well the way you sew it is up to you, as you wish..just SPRINKLE!
1. As usual, insert the needle into the fabric, then insert only one cylindrical bead, then park the needle back into the fabric at the end of the last bead.
2. Since it is only a one-bead-work-at-a-time, the way you want it to be sewn on the fabric is up to you.If you are sewing it far away from each other,make sure the distance between it is the same, or otherwise it will look ugly.But it if you are sewing it very close to each other,make sure it is so all throughout your work of the motive.
TIT BIT TIPS FOR THE SECOND MOTIVE
Usually, for fabrics which are sewn with beads, it is not advisable to wash with the washing machine as it will spoil the beads sewn.Because why?It is because the beads are not strongly sewn on the fabric.So here's a technique for a stronger and durable sewn beads.
• After you have done with the first bead,(after you already get the needle again at the back of the fabric),insert the needle back to the first point you first sewn at the begining, and then, so it back again at the same spot to the back.You can refer to the below diagram for better understanding:
1*(BEAD)*2
3*
4*
*representing the point of inserting
JAHIT PIRAMID
Before i write the steps, I just want you to ignore the number of beads in the rows because it happened that I got it wrongly.Just follow the steps below.But as you can see this JAHIT PIRAMID motive looks kinda curvy at the base.Actually when you are sewing this you just dont put it that way, you just sew it horizontally straight with enough thread tension.The curve appear naturally when your pyramid is done...it kinda happens just like that.
1. Insert 8 round beads into the needle, lay the beads horizontally and then park the needle at the very end of the last bead.
2. Insert the needle up into the fabric, making sure it comes out at about the centre of the eighth bead.But note this:not under the bead,but above the eighth bead at the centre lining)
3. Insert another 6 round beads into the needle, and again park the needle at the very end of the last bead.
4. Again,insert the needle up in to the fabric, making sure it comes out at the centre of the last bead above it.
5. continue the same steps with another 4 beads,and then 2 beads, and lastly 1 bead. and you'll have your own self-built pyramd!
JAHIT PINTAL
Note this:The motive is at the upper part.
Can you see the word 'correct pintal'? To be honest i made a few mistakes at the beginning.My bad because i didnt pay attention.But then i got it right as soon as i asked the teacher back again.So the moral of the story: Always pay your attention or else the simple thing could become the hardest one.
1. Insert 7 round beads into the needle,lay the beads horizontally and park the needle at the end of the last bead.
2. Insert the needle back up into the fabric under the forth bead.Then make sure your needle comes out of the fabric trough under the beads.The needle should be below the adjacent line of beads.
3. Insert another 7 round beads into the needle, and then park the needle at the last bead by making sure you park linearly to the adjacent line of beads you first make.
4. Repeat all the steps.
TIT BIT TIPS FOR THE FORTH MOTIVE
• As a beginner you are advised to draw a straight line before started sewing the beads so that you will get the right motive done.Otherwise, it might not turn as twisted as it looks,it might just look straight and turning into other motive!
JAHIT SERONG
Note this:The motive is at the bottom.
For this motive i'm using 4 cylindrical beads as been instructed by the teacher.But you may use the number of beads between 4 to 8.
1. Draw a straight horizontal line.
2. Insert the needle up into the fabric by making sure it comes out from the straight line.Insert 4 cylindrical beads into the needle.
3. Park the needle at last bead, and about 0.4cm from the straight line.So obviously you wont get a horizontally sewn beads, in fact a diagonally sewn beads.
4. Insert the needle back up into the fabric.Make sure it comes out at the centre of the beads sewn, but between the line of beads sewn and the straight line.
5. Repeat the same steps, using different colours of beads or the same, well you decide!
TIT BIT TIPS FOR THE FIFTH MOTIVE
• For this motive, based on the steps that i learnt, I suggest you to start sewing the beads from the right.
JAHIT ARROW
Haha..it looks like a pair of crooked legs!
The steps are divided into two which is the first layer and then the second layer.
FIRST LAYER:
1. Draw a horizontal straight line.Starting from the right, insert the needle, assure that it comes right on the line.
2. Insert 3 cylindrical beads and 3 round beads into the needle.Park the needle at the end of the beads, and 0.4cm from the straight line.
3. Insert the needle back up into the fabric.Make sure it comes out at the centre of the beads sewn, but between the line of beads sewn and the straight line.
4. Repeat the steps, as many as you like.
SECOND LAYER
1. Starting from the last line of beads,insert the needle way up through about the same spot you just inserted before.
2. Insert 3 round beads and then 3 cylindrical beads into the needle.Park the needle at the very of the last bead.MAKE SURE YOU PARK IT DIAGONALLY, SO THAT YOU COULD SEE IT JUST LIKE A SLEEPING 'A'.
3. Insert the needle back into the end of next line of beads at the first layer.Repeat step 2.Finish the whole layer.
JAHIT OMBAK
This is mom's favourite.
For this motive you only need 2 colours, otherwise you may not manage to see the effect.
These steps are also divided into two layers
FIRST LAYER
1. Draw a horizontal straight line.Insert the needle up into the fabric,and as usual make sure it comes out on the line.
2. Insert 4 cylindrical beads and 4 round beads into the needle.make sure the colour between the cylindrical and round beads are different.Park the needle at the very end of the beads, and also 0.4cm from the line.
3. Insert the needle back into the fabric, make it comes out up into the fabric at the centre but below the line of beads.
4. Repeat step 2,then 3 and so on, as long as you like.Then finish it by putting a knot at the back.
SECOND LAYER
1. Starting from the first line of beads you just make, insert the needle on top pf the line of beads, between the forth and fifth beads.
2. Insert 4 round beads and 4 cylindrical beads following the respective colour of beads you use during the first layer.
3. Park the needle at the very end of the bead, making sure it is diagonally parked, as if a sleeping 'A'.
4. Repeat the same steps, as if giving a partner for each layer.Than you'll get a beautifully sewn beaded waves on the fabric!
JAHIT X-RAY
1. (starting from the right)As usual, after the needle has been inserted up into the fabric, insert 7 round beads into the needle.Lay it vertically on the fabric.
2. This time, park the needle under the fourth bead.You will get a bridge-like line of beads.Make sure your needle doesnt go between the strands of thread, because it gonna turns out to be an alien motive.
3. Insert the needle back up into the fabric and make it comes out about 0.3cm beside the first line of beads.
4. Insert the same 7 round beads into the needle.Drive the needle under the adjacent line of beads and up again and park it next to the adjacent line of beads, provided it is the same level as the adjacent one(its partner).Then you have your first 'X'.
5. Repeat all the steps to get more!
I hope you could go with these haywired instuctions..Josh I just need to improve my writing skills..
And I hope that you could spend sometime trying this out..its easy and..simply addicting..
All the best!
TILL THEN~
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