Bead Weaving

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Bead Loom and Start Your Project

The loom is your basic tool. It does not need to be fancy or expensive. All that's required of a loom is that it hold warp threads under consistent tension while you weave. In fact, simplicity rules—the less "stuff" there is on the loom, the easier it is to use. Many looms are adjustable in length to match the size of the piece being woven; this saves on the amount of warp thread. I use a loom that sits on a flat surface, but some excellent looms stand vertically or at an angle.

Warping the Loom - warping, weaving, and finishing

Using a simple overhand loop knot, tie off the warp thread to the screw at one end of the loom. Starting at approximately the center of the loom, string the warp thread over and between two coils of the spacing spring. Holding the warp thread taut, but without stretching it, go over and between two corresponding center coils of the spacing spring at the other end of the loom.

Embellishment

Adding surface embellishment in the form of beads or other decorative detail is an excellent way to enhance a woven base. This kind of embellishment can become the focus of the piece or may just enhance the design. When enclosing a bar for support, sew the woven material back together following this thread path. Abalone Disk. 6 x 10 plus ties. I or tho most part, surface embellishment will be sewn on but glue can be used if there is no other option. In the case of the necklace shown at right,...

Planning for Size and Weight of Neckpieces

In designing loomwork in general and neckpieces in particular, the piece must be structured to support the weight of the beads. This is especially true when doing split loom straps that are woven as part of the necklace. If there is too much weight in relation to the size and shape of the piece, either in terms of fringe, large beads incorporated into the piece, or the loomwork itself, then the piece may collapse. The Pastel Peacock neckpiece shown on page 46 needs more loomworked material at...

Beads On the Warp

If every warp thread will have beads strung on it, the easiest method is to string a quantity of beads on the warp thread before starting to warp the loom. I do this by putting the spool of warp thread on the floor and stringing on about ten feet of beads. This is about as much as can be done without getting tangled up. I then feed on as many as are necessary for each warp as the loom is being warped. If there are many beads on each warp thread, you will probably have to warp in stages of a few...