Add a Bit of Bling with Beads

Sometimes you just want to add a little bit of bling to your weaving—a hint of shine that adds an air of mystique rather than making you look like a disco ball. (As a glitter lover, I have no problem with looking like a disco ball, but sometimes I also like to be subtle.) Incorporating beads into your fringe is a great way to give your cloth some shimmer and shine without distracting too much from the handweaving.

If this sounds good to you, you’ll want to check out this incredible tip clip from Janney Simpson’s new video workshop Experiments in Deflected Doubleweave. While Janney’s video is for looms with 4 or more shafts, this tip applies to any type of cloth onto which you can twist fringe, including rigid-heddle weaving. Now that I’m thinking about it, I bet this would be really fun on a wall hanging as well—I’m imagining chunky wooden beads under a showpiece done with tapestry or macrame.

Beyond Janney’s video, here’s what you’ll need to get started adding beads to your fringe:
• Fringe twister or a hair twister with clockwise and counterclockwise turning ability
• Dental floss threaders
• Scissors
• Something heavy to hold your weaving (Janney uses an antique iron but a couple of books will also work)
• Self-healing quilter’s mat, straight edge, and rotary cutting tool

How easy is that? It’s such a simple technique, but it’s one that can potentially add so much to a handwoven piece—which of course is my favorite kind of technique.

Happy Weaving!
Christina

PS: If you do have a multi-shaft floor loom, the rest of Jannie’s workshop Experiments in Deflected Doubleweave is incredible as well. Deflected doubleweave is one of my all-time favorite weave structures, and Jannie makes it all look so easy. I certainly felt inspired to warp up my “big loom” again after watching!