Last year I taught a few classes in beading and wire jewelry for an Arts program that my daughter is involved in. This year, they are studying the Middle Ages, so I'm trying to come up with a bead project for them. (Ages 12-15) Last year, we did Egyptian collars for the beading part.

I'm thinking of maybe a beaded "Alms Purse" using one of thsoe 3x4 sheer bags and having them do a netting. It seems like this could be pretty easy for kids.

Does anyone know of any instructions on the web for beading over a cloth bag? I think I've seen some, but for the life of me, can't find them now.

Thanks,
Jerri
www.beadbimbo.com

Hi Jerri,

Wouldn't it be easier for the kids to bead two panels in netting (or one large panel as wide as the bag and long enough to double over the it(easy stitch, good choice!), then sew the bag to the bead panels/wrap the bag with the strip of netting and sew? Just a thought.
I did some searching on Google and didn't come up with anything useful for you, unfortunately.

right angle weave a bag panel ...like OS suggested....

that would be the easiest way or find a medieval design and bead embroider it on a panel of felt or cotton velvet with stiff interfacing underneath ....

Thanks, The panels might be a good way to go.

I was also thinking about how I did some beaded Christmas ornaments, and I think that way would work too. I could sew a row of beads at the top, and then net down from there and gather at the bottom.

I also wanted to play around, maybe trying one with tube beads, as this would make the project go faster. I have have one or two impatient kids, this might be better for them. Fortunately, last year, I only had two kids who just didn't want to try. Everyone else really got into it.

Jerri
www.beadbimbo.com

QUOTE: Originally posted by OriginalSin Hi Jerri, Wouldn't it be easier for the kids to bead two panels in netting (or one large panel as wide as the bag and long enough to double over the it(easy stitch, good choice!), then sew the bag to the bead panels/wrap the bag with the strip of netting and sew? Just a thought. I did some searching on Google and didn't come up with anything useful for you, unfortunately.

I was afraid that RAW would be too tedious, but maybe the circular kind, where you use 8 beads and it comes out like round loops. I think that would go faster.

I'd been thinking about bead embroidery, too, but this seems a little harder to me, so I'm not sure it'd be a good one for these inexperienced kids.

Jerri
www.beadbimbo.com

QUOTE: Originally posted by OBCGAL right angle weave a bag panel ...like OS suggested.... that would be the easiest way or find a medieval design and bead embroider it on a panel of felt or cotton velvet with stiff interfacing underneath ....

Jerry use size 8/0 or 6/0 and it will go alot faster plus those kids that get bored will not be strained as much because the hole size is easier to work with ...and it will go alot quicker....

Dear Jerri,

Hi!

If you can do back stitch, then you can stitch the beads on up to 3 or 4 at a time which is quick if you are trying to cover the whole area, also larger beads will help, a satin or velvet bag may make a stronger base than a chiffon one. I don't have a picture of the one I made for a pair of earrings I made for my friend Amber at Christmas, but I backstitched a row of beads, just underneath the drawstring, then worked the netting and fringe from that, or you could take a piece of ribbon, or braid, and work your netting or fringe on the edge of that and then stitch it to the bag, you can buy some with lovely Celtic and Medieval designs.

As you and I belong to the Creative Wire Jewelry forum over at Delphi, I would suggest that you ask Vampi about this too, she and I are both members at the All about beads forum at Delphi and there are lots of wonderful bead embroiderers there who can help you at every stage of your project, hope this helps a bit and I'd love to see what you do with it, you are also welcome to e-mail me through either forum if you get stuck!

love, Jan [:D]

Thanks! Good Idea!

Jerri
www.beadbimbo.com

QUOTE: Originally posted by OBCGAL Jerry use size 8/0 or 6/0 and it will go alot faster plus those kids that get bored will not be strained as much because the hole size is easier to work with ...and it will go alot quicker....

Thanks, Jan!

That's exactly what I was thinking about stitching the beads just under the drawstring and then netting down from there, just like you would a Christmas ornanament and then gathering it at the bottom to close.

I'll look into the satin or velvet bags, too. With kids, that's probably a better idea.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jan atherton Dear Jerri, Hi! If you can do back stitch, then you can stitch the beads on up to 3 or 4 at a time which is quick if you are trying to cover the whole area, also larger beads will help, a satin or velvet bag may make a stronger base than a chiffon one. I don't have a picture of the one I made for a pair of earrings I made for my friend Amber at Christmas, but I backstitched a row of beads, just underneath the drawstring, then worked the netting and fringe from that, or you could take a piece of ribbon, or braid, and work your netting or fringe on the edge of that and then stitch it to the bag, you can buy some with lovely Celtic and Medieval designs. As you and I belong to the Creative Wire Jewelry forum over at Delphi, I would suggest that you ask Vampi about this too, she and I are both members at the All about beads forum at Delphi and there are lots of wonderful bead embroiderers there who can help you at every stage of your project, hope this helps a bit and I'd love to see what you do with it, you are also welcome to e-mail me through either forum if you get stuck! love, Jan [:D]