The Basic Principle of Beading on a loom

The basic principle of a bead loom is to string threads on your loom in order to create a bead design. These threads are called warp threads. The length and width of your beadwork will be defined by how many threads are on the loom. This will be limited to the size of your bead loom. Most looms (not all) have an average of 16 warp threads per inch. When purchasing a bead loom it is wise to find out what the working space of your loom will be. Example: A bead loom measuring 8 inches by 10 inches could be measured by the outside perimeter or by the working space of the loom. If the size of your loom will be an important factor in buying a loom then ask what the working space will be before you purchase a bead loom.

How to string your bead loom

To string a loom, attach your nymo thread to one of the small nails at the end of the loom. Run the thread over the metal bars (located on both ends of the loom) and wrap it around one of the small nails on the other end of your loom. Continue this until you have the correct number of warp threads needed for your project. Important to remember: If you are bead project is 16 beads wide you will need 17 warp threads. Alway one more warp thread than the number of beads you will be using.

See photo below.

This is what your bead loom should look like when stringing your loom is complete.

Beginning to Bead

Cut a long piece of nymo thread and thread your beading needle. Starting on the left side of your work weave one row of thread over and under each warp thread. Weaving in the opposite direction (to your right), weave over and under your warp threads again. This will give you a base to set your first row of beadwork on. From the left side of your warp threads you can begin beading. Put the desired number of beads on your beading needle. Bring your beads UNDER your beadwork and space one bead between each warp thread on your bead loom.

Photo below: Bringing the beadwork under your warp threads.

Photo below: After you have set one bead inbetween each warp thread bring your beading needle back through the top of the beads. Hint: Make sure that your beading needle & thread are on the top of your beadwork. Checking this each row you bead will save your a lot of time. If you miss a bead and it sags below cut a small piece of nymo thread and run it through that row and include one row below & above that row you are correcting. Much easier than tearing all of your beadwork out!

Please note: The beads in the photo below are Size 8 seed beads. This photo is for display purposes only. Size 8 seed beads are normally to heavy to be used on a loom. The end result would be beadwork that sags in the middle. Every other slow on the metal bar was skipped to accomodate size 8 seed beads. You will not need to do this with seed beads sizes 10-15 that are the correct size beads to use on a bead loom.

Weave 2-3 rows of thread over and under as you did in the beginning of your beadwork. Run your thread halfway through your last row of beads. At this point use your imagination! I like glue! After I have finished my beadwork I cut each thread that is left hanging down - cut snug and close to the beadwork (carefully). Using a toothpick, take a dab of craft glue and glue each thread. This will help keep the beadwork together much longer. Do be careful with the glue if you are going to sew your beadwork to material or leather. I use super glue and glue my beadwork to the leather. Some folks perfer to sew it onto the leather or fabric they are using. I do not recommend gluing your beadwork to fabric! Have fun and yes….use the imagination! You might be surprised as to what you can design!

Finishing your work. (shown below)

A finished project (shown below)