I need some help with my first attempt at using beads in a project. The fabric is 14-count Aida Rustico - kind of beige/brown mix and the beads I need to attach are black. How many threads should I use to attach beads and is it better to match the thread colour to bead or fabric? I'm a bit confused as I found one book that said match to the bead and one says match to the fabric!
Hi, when attaching beads to 14ct fabric I usually use two strands, or rather one strand doubled so I can use a loop start, which makes it easier to "fix" the thread when you're beading.
As for the colour, when reading up on it some time ago I found the advice to match the thread to the beads if the beads are transparent or semi-transparent, and to match it to the fabric if the beads are opaque, so with black beads you would match the thread to your fabric (in this case a beigy-brown, sounds like DMC 842 might be OK).
Having said that, it can give an interesting effect to use, say, a bright purple thread to attach a transparent pink bead, or a dark green thread to attach a light green bead -- it's all down to personal tase, preference, and the effect you're trying to achieve!
I generally match to fabric, but that is because the beads I have used in the past tend toward opacity. I use two strands of thread: the first time I take the needle and both threads through the bead, then the second time I cross the stitch placing the bead between the strands, and putting the needle down into the hole. This really anchors the bead.
