Single or Double thread- Bead's wax or no beadswax ( beadhaven )

MONA LISAS wrote

on Aug 19, 2009 11:49 AM

Hi,

I hope everyone is having a good summer as hot as it is.

This may sound strange or silly but its a real concern I'm having with the various threads.

Most of the patterns I've read in various bead books and magazines do not say to use single or double thread. Correction when they want  you to use "double thread " they usually say it.

I've always used double thread because I wanted the outlook of the bracelet to be supported. They always say leave a thread tail of 5-8 inches etc. for the clasp or beaded opening. If you have a double thread then how would you use the tail on a needle? ( You start a new thread! ) Or should the thread be uneven, maybe?

I've found that waxing- no matter how little  I use, wiping off the access,  it always ends up on the bead making it look , well you know, ugly. The only plus side of waxing is that the bead can't move, it can't get loose. I've noticed  that on a ring I made the thread began to show, after wearing and banging it around in and out of drawers and pocketbooks,  I figured it was because I didn't wax it.

I always try to follow the instructions of the beadmaker and I have found that no matter what thread they recommend when I pull tight, it always breaks. And I'm not trying to break the thread. It happened to me with nymo , fireline and with the glossmar elastic thread and power pro. Is this because I didn't wax the thread?.

There's a  bracelet called "bumps in the road " where you are using 3 different sizes of beads and the center one is the largest and the sides are to be pulled in order for the center to pop out. Well the first bracelet I made was wonderful, then the second one kept breaking. Could this be because I didn't wax?

I read of only one beadmaker who said she never waxes so I thought I too could use this method. Am I wrong not to wax?

I appreciate any and all feedback.

Sincerely, Mona Lisa

LYILHA wrote

on Aug 19, 2009 12:15 PM

 Hi and welcome!

Honestly, I NEVER wax either...but the nature of most of the things I make does not seem to need it.  I use Nymo and One G almost exclusively.  I rarely have a break in the thread.  There are alot of things that can cause this...it could be that the beads you are using for the project have sharp edges...in which case there are other threading products you can use to prevent that.  Also, you might try a bigger size Nymo.  What are you using?  I use D most of the time.  Lastly, it might have alot to do with how you pull the thread and the tension your putting on the thread.  One thing that will help is to make sure you are pulling *straight* thru the beads...secondly, pull taught but don't pull more than is necessary.  Also pull slowly.  Hope that helps some!  =)

JSmaz wrote

on Aug 19, 2009 12:41 PM

I second everything that Kelly said.  I don't wax my thread unless I'm using something pre-waxed.  I just don't like the feel of it and most things I do don't seem to need it.  Of course I may be missing something having never tried it, but there you go.  I use either Nymo D or Spiderwire for most beadweaving projects.  Just got some Fireline the other day, so I'll have to find a project to try it on and see if it lives up to the hype. ;)

About the only time I have breakage is either cutting the thread on a sharp edge or pulling it through one too many beads.  I get more breakage where it goes through the needle than any other time, though sometimes thread does just break for no reason.

I also don't usually double my thread unless I absolutely have to.  I find it tangles too much and is a general pain to work with.  It's also advisable to start a new thread when attaching clasps, trim, etc so if thread does break it won't tear apart your whole piece (see Monday's BD blog article).  Hope that helps!

Kokopelli wrote

on Aug 20, 2009 2:27 AM

Hi,

I only wax nymo thread and an artificial sinew I use for my Native-style pieces. The sinew is also prewaxed to keep it from fraying, as you can divide the thick thread into several thin strands to do bead embroidery. Waxing helps to integrate the fibers again. But that's a special one. I never wax Fireline, fishing line, monofilament or elastic threads. There's no use to do it. As for the wax applying to the beads, that only happens the first or second time I pull it through and then the wax is worked well into the thread and the excess is gone. You can easily remove the excess wax on the beads with a piece of cloth.

I never had a problem with breaking thread except I pulled to hard. Just try what Kelly suggested: pull straight through a bead, pull slowly and pull only as hard as you have to keep your tension. Waxing a thread can also help keeping tension, as it makes the thread stiff and makes the beads stay where they should. I personally like that with techniques that need a tight tension throughout the whole piece.

Hope that helps!

ChristineT@24 wrote

on Aug 21, 2009 8:14 AM

 When I am doing bead embroidery...I wax my thread. I also had issues with the wax coming off on the first few beads and it bothered me. So what I began doing is AFTER I run it through my beeswax....I warm up my hands really well by rubbing them together a few times...and then I kinda hold my right hand around the thread a bit tight...and pull it through with my left. It kind of melts the wax into the thread...makes it even stronger in my opinion...and no mess on the beads. I do that a few times....warm up hands....pull through....warm up hands....pull through. I think it pays off....

Hope that helps.....but I am fairly new....so that is about the only tip I have for that. Sorry I can't be or more help.

Christine

http://BeadedIndulgences.etsy.com

"If He leads you to it....He will lead you through it"

MONA LISAS wrote

on Aug 23, 2009 2:18 PM

 Thank you Lyilha,

I appreciate the information on "pulling straight " thru the beads.

mona lisa

MONA LISAS wrote

on Aug 23, 2009 2:22 PM

Thanks for your response JSmaz,

I appreciate it!

mona 

MONA LISAS wrote

on Aug 23, 2009 2:25 PM

 Hi,

Thanks for responding I appreciate all the feed back that  I am getting. I will take everything in to consideration.

mona

MONA LISAS wrote

on Aug 23, 2009 2:28 PM

 Thanks for the tip Christine,

I'm willing to try everything in order to avoid having this problem again. Thanks for responding I really appreciate all the feedback.

mona