Tension can be a tricky thing – some beaders bead very loosely, while others (like me) sometimes end up with work that is so tight it even snaps beads and threads! I find from my experience as a teacher that most people who struggle with tension tend to err on the looser side.
Tension plays an incredibly important role in ensuring your work turns out sturdy, especially when creating three-dimensional pieces. So getting it correct is an important step in improving your beadwork and getting a better overall finish.
Here are some of my remedies for keeping a firm tension in your beadwork.
1. Wax your thread
Waxing your thread with a synthetic wax (or beeswax if you prefer, but I am vegan) will help stick the threads together and give a much firmer finish. It can also reduce knots. A must for dimensional work if you have a loose tension. Always run the waxed thread through your fingers before starting work to pull off any stray clumps of wax.
It’s also worth noting the difference between thread conditioner (like Thread Heaven) and wax. Conditioner makes your thread easier to work with and prevents knots, it will not stiffen your work, in fact it’s likely to do the opposite!
2. Pull tightly as you work – after every few stitches.
This will help pull the work together and keep it tighter and more even as you go. Using a shorter thread will also help with this, as yards and yards of thread are harder to get tension on.
3. Choose the right thread for your project.
I like to work with KO or Miyuki thread, and will sometimes use FireLine if the projects calls for it – or even monofilament thread. Choosing the correct thread for your project will make a big difference. While FireLine is a stiffer thread, it doesn’t always fix tension issues. KO and Miyuki have more give in them so I find are wonderful for dimensional peyote work. Monofilament can really help you keep your tension when working with Right Angle Weave or even CRAW (depending on the design and beads).
I hope this helps! Find more tips, free projects and updates on my blog!
