A few questions

[MaudL]

Hi everyone,
I have a few questions for you:

- I've never done any beading and I have a project in the pipeline that requires it. I looked into beading needles but they come in several sizes. Which one should I buy?

- Floss storage: for those of you that use bobbins, are there any problems caused by the kinks they make? (thread tangling, weird peaks on the cross, etc...)

Thanks!

[Athalie]

I've used bobbins for ever. Just make sure you don't wind your thread on them too tightly and you shouldn't have any problems with crimping. I think beading needles are a personal preference. I recently bought some new ones (to me) by DRITZ and I think they are the best I have had. The eyes are a good size and they easily fit through the petite beads.

[MaggieM1750]

I believe the bead needles I have are a size 10.
And I use stitchbows so can't help you out with the kinks in bobbin floss.

[rcperryls]

I have used bobbins since I started stitching years ago and have never had any problem with kinking.
I don't do beads so can't help you there.

Carole

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

I have beading needles which I think are a size 10 - but I've also used a size 28 tapestry needle (the size I use to stitch anyway) when beading, but of course it depends on the size of your bead! I've also used bobbins since forever and never had any issues with kinking.

[Nachstenliebe]

I have no idea what guage my beading needles are... I'm absolutely no help there.. I don't use bobbins anymore as well.. but when I did I didn't have any issues with crimping either..
Faith

[Rose]

I love my bobbins and have never had a problem with and crimping.

I just used a size 28 embroidery needle it worked quite well.

[Mabel Figworthy]

For standard seed beads (size 11) I generally use a size 28 tapestry needle, although that means that some beads won't pass over it and I have to put them aside for later or change to a smaller needle. Most of them go without a problem though.

For the standard seed beads that won't pass over a 28 tapestry needle and for petite seed beads (size 15) I use a size 10 beading needle or sometimes a size 12 or 13; they are very fragile and very sharp, though, which can be a pain as they pierce the fabric threads.

Tip: If you go for beading needles, get "bead embroidery needles" (sometimes called "short beading needles"), as they are shorter and more manageable than what it usually sold as "beading needles".

[MaudL]

thanks for the advice everyone!

[Lessa54]

For the standard seed beads that won't pass over a 28 tapestry needle and for petite seed beads (size 15) I use a size 10 beading needle or sometimes a size 12 or 13; they are very fragile and very sharp, though, which can be a pain as they pierce the fabric threads.

They're also a pain when you stab yourself with them because they're so much longer than regular needles!

I was able to get a pack of beading needles which had one each of sizes 10-15. It's worked quite well for me as have a range of needles to suit whatever I'm doing at the time.