...sharing techniques

My technique for a beaded edge to finish off your beautiful needlepoint.

This is a technique I developed years ago when I did all

charted work and wearable art pins.

The edge of beads provides the perfect folding line.

Use size 11 beads with matching beading thread.

[tip...I always beeswax my beading thread and

I use a short John James ball point size 10 beading needle.]

Follow Step One and Step Two as charted.

Next, trim away excess canvas, leaving about

an inch plus all the away around as in first photo.

Now miter corners and fold in sides.

I lightly press with a warm iron. This does not

require you to mash with the iron, there is 

enough sizing in your canvas that lightly

pressing will hold it in place.

Insert a piece of felt under the folded edges.

This adds some extra depth to the piece and

it hides the folded edges from being seen

through any openness in your work.

 I mount all on covered acid free foam core, 

cut about 1/4" smaller than beaded edge piece.

The center picture above shows the felt

being attached.  I use white glue for this, let 

it dry completely.  The last step is to attach the 

stitched piece to the board. This is accomplished

with clear or white nylon thread. This enables

you to sew through the edges of your piece without

the stitches showing. Sew through piece and just the edge

of the foam covered board.  

Now you can hand this all to your framer to mount 

on a backing board [I use the same white glue for this.]

I came up with this so that there is no glue on my 

needlework! My pieces float beautifully in 

the shadow boxes I use for framing. 

Tada!