Wednesday, February 15, 2012

My First Beaded Edging

For about halfway around this ornament, I was thinking the title of this post was going to be "My First and Last Beaded Edging." It was hard to pick up the beads, it was tedious to get through the stitches, and I couldn't remember whether I'd just stitched a bead on or had skipped a stitch between beads. But I finally got into a rhythm. I started being able to keep track of the bead/stitch/bead pattern by saying "bead" then "no bead" over and over. It actually started feeling kind of fun to watch the edging grow. Now, the beads aren't always turned the same way (I think I wasn't always pulling the thread through the stitches in the same direction), but for a first effort I think it's passable. Next time I will follow Staci's tutorial and do the backstitching over two threads instead of one - I think it will be easier to keep the front and back lined up. The front of the ornament is from the JCS 2004 ornament issue. The back is an amalgam of two Country Cottage Needleworks trees. The 2010 date tells you how long it took me to screw up my courage to try the beaded edging!
Tidings of Joy
Heart in Hand Needleart
WDW and CC
Country Cottage Needleworks

8 comments:

Michele said...

wtg! it's lovely :)

Carol said...

Good for you for trying the beaded edge, Michele!! It looks great--they do take a long, long time, but the end result is worth it :)

Kathy A. said...

The beaded edge is wonderful.
The ornament is beautiful. YOu did a great job.
I remember my struggle with the beading when I tried it. I found using a magnifier helped too. I could see better where I was going and where I had been lol.

Lesleyanne said...

A great finish. Love beaded edges but haven't tried one yet.

Anonymous said...

Yea, you did it!! It looks lovely!!

Sally said...

It looks gorgeous Michele. It very tedious and fiddly but well worth it :)

Marilyn said...

It turned out great Michelle.
Marilyn

Ranae said...

It looks fabulous!