What size needle should I use?

The size needle you use is mostly personal preference, though you might find one size easier to work with than another. Needles may be found in most fabric stores and will be labeled as 'Glovers', 'Quilting In-Betweens' or 'Beading Needles'. Generally the larger the number listed on the needle size, the smaller the needle.

Here's a good guide for choosing your needles:

• Size 10 - Thicker, sturdier, easier to thread but may not fit through smaller beads
• Size 11 - A good middle choice
• Size 12 - Most common, thin, flexible, moderately easy to thread, fits through most beads for several passes.
• Size 13 - Very thin, hard to thread, but fits anywhere if you can keep a hold of it

What Kind of Thread is Best?

This is best chosen by personal preference. The criteria for the thread is basically it CANNOT STRETCH. Your thread must be strong enough to support the work in progress and last upon completion. Still, it must fit through your needle and your beads.

Common threads used are:

• Nymo - this thread does stretch if not conditioned properly, though!
• Silamide - a great choice for a beginner, this thread is easy to pass through a needle, but may break if used on sharper beads.
• Quilting Thread - another great choice for a beginner, similar to Silamide but easier to find at any fabric store.
• Button & Craft Thread - EASY to find, HARD to use, but this thread will last a century. It is thick so is difficult to pass through the eye of the needles.

Conditioning Your Thread

Thread will tangle. It is kept in a spool, and naturally wants to curl. There are thread conditioners on the market like Thread Heaven™ but there are ways to condition which are more readily available:

• Run your thread through a warm curling iron prior to stitching. This will flatten out the 'curls' and keep it from tangling while you are beading.
• Keep a beeswax candle handy. If your thread is starting to snarl, rub it over the beeswax candle. This conditions the thread while protecting it.
• For particularly snarl-prone thread, rub a little bit of hair conditioner on the thread. It untangles hair- right??