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Kirstie's Handmade Britain
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How To Make A Beaded Panel
Would you like to try making the beaded panel featured in Kirstie's Handmade Britain? Follow our simple instructions below to find out how it was done.
By Kirstie Allsopp
A Bead A Card Kit – our one was from www.craftyferret.co.uk – it includes beads, a pricked card and detailed instructions for attaching the beads
A piece of aida
Fine needle
Thread to match the aida
Additional beads to complement the pattern
Contrasting material to edge the panel
Skill
Even a beginner could tackle this craft with ease – although you’ll need to take your time when mounting the panel.
Budget
A bead kit costs as little as £1. A pack of 100 beads costs under £5.
Time
Allow yourself a weekend to complete this task.
Step One: Apply The Main Design
Using the instructions included in the kit, apply the pattern of the main design first and then add the background beads. Although this is more labour intensive, you can follow the pattern without being distracted.
Step Two: Fill In The Background
Once the main design is complete, fill in the background to the size of the panel you require, using the same beading technique as the main pattern.
Step Three: Trim The Panel
Trim the panel to about 3mm around the panel.
Step Four: Edge The Panel
Edge the panel (with either a contrasting colour or the same material as the glasses case) by pinning the edging material right side to right side of the beaded panel and stitch, making envelope style corners, then fold the material to the back of the panel and carefully stitch. This will ensure that the aida does not fray and is completely hidden by either beads or edging.
Step Five: Mount The Panel
Finally mount the panel on your chosen article. We added a piece of thick felt between the bead panel and the case to give the panel some prominence.
Step Six: Sew The Lining
Fit and sew the lining neatly.
Step Seven: Bead The Case
Adding a few beads to the case brings the whole thing together (this is also a good way of finishing off the corners if they are slightly off).
- Our panel was made with a Bead A Card kits purchased from Crafty Ferret, but rather than using the pricked card pattern they provide, the beads were attached to a piece of aida (bought at a craft show).
- As the kit is meant to be mounted on the pricked card, additional beads were bought to complement the pattern without swamping it.
- You will need the end product, on which you mount the panel (for our panel, a glasses case) and some spare or contrasting material to edge the panel.
- We kept the lining of the glasses case separate until after the panel was mounted; this way, the stitching from attaching the panel is hidden.
With thanks to Marchwood WI
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