Long Term Effects of Backing Beadwork

TallmanFL · 07-16-2006, 05:25 PM

I have seen many others that have dopne their beadwork on index cards and even paper? I have always used canvas and have usually used interfacing behind that.

My question is has anyone had any long term problems with beadwork done on index cards or paper? Does the beadwork fall apart? If one has bead work done in this way will it hold up to getting wet with rain or sweat?

Just got my beads out and looked at the dance clothes again after a year off. Not sure if anyone missed me?

**Eagle Plumes** · 07-16-2006, 07:14 PM

I just did a repare on a very old barrett that I had to not only repare the edge beading but I also replaced the leather backing and it was beaded on a thick piece of paper it had some sort of advertisement coulnt quite make it out cause it was dicolored from age and wear, the paper its self looked pretty good for the age and it appeared to have gotten wet cause the threads were all brown but not brittle. so id say it help up pretty well for a barrett.

TallmanFL · 07-16-2006, 07:22 PM

Thanks EaglePlumes.

But do you or others back your beadwork with just paper? I am still wary.

OLChemist · 07-16-2006, 07:22 PM

Coating the paper/cardboard with nail polish will help it resist moisture and sweat. Letting your outfit air out well, will lenghten the life of the beadwork.

The thin plastic used for making tole painting stencils works well too, but it doesn't breathe. I've used Tyvek (the plastic fiber paper) but it is too soft for much. Milk bottle plastic is good for things that need to be really stiff. You just have to use an awl to make your holes (or have way tougher fingers than I do, LOL).

**Eagle Plumes** · 07-16-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallman

Thanks EaglePlumes.

But do you or others back your beadwork with just paper? I am still wary.

If my design is drawn on paper I staple it to felt, but mostly I draw my designs on pelon and staple it to the felt as well, Ive made several projects this way and have always had good results.

**billyjoejimbob** · 07-17-2006, 01:01 AM

I use painted canvas. Whats cool about it is that you can run it thru your printer and print the design on the canvas. Its like beading by numbers.

You just have to make sure your design is the right size when printed or your beads maybe too thick of thin for the lines.

The ink doesnt stay on too good cause the surface is slick so you either have to be carefull not to smudge it while beading or just trace the outlines with a marker or ballpoint.

I am gonna try regular canvas next, but the ink may spread as it soaks in.

I used to use regular canvas backed with maskingtape.

**WocusWoman** · 07-17-2006, 05:40 AM

We never use paper. I for one, have occasionally took a beaded barrette out of my hair, placed it in my jeans or jacket pocket and put it through the wash. We make beadwork that is going to survive incidents like this. Why back or bead onto crapping materials after putting all your precious time into it, when there are good sturdy things to use instead.

Blackbear · 07-17-2006, 05:51 AM

I use the stiff felt and the baby lap pad (flannelized rubber sheeting). I can't bead on index card anymore. Both of the products I mentioned make it easy as heck for the needle to go through compaired to the card, and are resistant to moisture and breaking down, although the stiff felt can break down. I sandwich between that and leather backing a thin layer of plastic from like margarine lids or yogurt lides. For some reason I'm just resiliant to the idea of washing out a milk jug and cutting it up LOL! But like the giant sized goldensoft margarine lid is pretty good sized.

**Eagle Plumes** · 07-17-2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WocusWoman

We never use paper. I for one, have occasionally took a beaded barrette out of my hair, placed it in my jeans or jacket pocket and put it through the wash. We make beadwork that is going to survive incidents like this. Why back or bead onto crapping materials after putting all your precious time into it, when there are good sturdy things to use instead.

I have one barette I use for personal use that is beaded on paper and it got washed and I was freekin but it was just fine the leather came out nice too I was not likeing the whole paper thing till I tried it and I really like it ,by the way im not picking at you just shareing ok?

wyo_rose · 07-17-2006, 11:56 AM

My sister in law washes old beadwork all the time. Lots of it was beaded on paper. Turns out fine most of the time.

What is scary is that I came across a piece of rubberized flannel lap pad that is about 30 - 40 years old. It's very brittle and cracked. ACK!!!

TallmanFL · 07-17-2006, 10:47 PM

thanks to everyone for the feedback. I am going to try the margarine lid thing.

Singing Otter · 07-18-2006, 12:52 AM

I've beaded on paper and plastic.

I like em both. I usually bond the paper onto light canvas and go to town. I also use the beading felt and kiddie foam. Good schtuff.

**Eagle Plumes** · 07-18-2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singing Otter

I've beaded on paper and plastic.

I like em both. I usually bond the paper onto light canvas and go to town. I also use the beading felt and kiddie foam. Good schtuff.

when you say bond ? do you mean some how iron it to what ever your beading to? asking cause im curious.

Blackbear · 07-19-2006, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyo_rose

My sister in law washes old beadwork all the time. Lots of it was beaded on paper. Turns out fine most of the time.

What is scary is that I came across a piece of rubberized flannel lap pad that is about 30 - 40 years old. It's very brittle and cracked. ACK!!!

Really? do you know what kind of conditions it was kept under just for reference? I ask because when I had my kid my mom sent me all my old baby blankets, diapers and the lap pads she used with me, and they were all in great condition. They were 29 years old, and I even passed them on to my friend when she had her little boy.

07-16-2006, 05:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
TallmanFL Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orange Park, Florida Posts: 78	Long Term Effects of Backing Beadwork I have seen many others that have dopne their beadwork on index cards and even paper? I have always used canvas and have usually used interfacing behind that. My question is has anyone had any long term problems with beadwork done on index cards or paper? Does the beadwork fall apart? If one has bead work done in this way will it hold up to getting wet with rain or sweat? Just got my beads out and looked at the dance clothes again after a year off. Not sure if anyone missed me? __________________ Brian

07-16-2006, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
TallmanFL Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orange Park, Florida Posts: 78	Thanks EaglePlumes. But do you or others back your beadwork with just paper? I am still wary. __________________ Brian

07-17-2006, 05:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
Blackbear Space Cowboy Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,622	I use the stiff felt and the baby lap pad (flannelized rubber sheeting). I can't bead on index card anymore. Both of the products I mentioned make it easy as heck for the needle to go through compaired to the card, and are resistant to moisture and breaking down, although the stiff felt can break down. I sandwich between that and leather backing a thin layer of plastic from like margarine lids or yogurt lides. For some reason I'm just resiliant to the idea of washing out a milk jug and cutting it up LOL! But like the giant sized goldensoft margarine lid is pretty good sized. __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

07-17-2006, 10:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
TallmanFL Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orange Park, Florida Posts: 78	thanks to everyone for the feedback. I am going to try the margarine lid thing. __________________ Brian

07-18-2006, 12:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
Singing Otter Gotz ta be me! Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,392 Blog Entries: 1	I've beaded on paper and plastic. I like em both. I usually bond the paper onto light canvas and go to town. I also use the beading felt and kiddie foam. Good schtuff. __________________ Cowboy wisdom: A thong is like a barb wire fence, it protects the property without blocking the view.

07-16-2006, 07:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Eagle Plumes Just Bead it! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MId-West Posts: 11,497	I just did a repare on a very old barrett that I had to not only repare the edge beading but I also replaced the leather backing and it was beaded on a thick piece of paper it had some sort of advertisement coulnt quite make it out cause it was dicolored from age and wear, the paper its self looked pretty good for the age and it appeared to have gotten wet cause the threads were all brown but not brittle. so id say it help up pretty well for a barrett.

07-16-2006, 07:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
OLChemist Pow Wow Committee Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 744	Coating the paper/cardboard with nail polish will help it resist moisture and sweat. Letting your outfit air out well, will lenghten the life of the beadwork. The thin plastic used for making tole painting stencils works well too, but it doesn't breathe. I've used Tyvek (the plastic fiber paper) but it is too soft for much. Milk bottle plastic is good for things that need to be really stiff. You just have to use an awl to make your holes (or have way tougher fingers than I do, LOL).

07-17-2006, 01:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
billyjoejimbob Fat Singer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: white guy land Posts: 1,526	I use painted canvas. Whats cool about it is that you can run it thru your printer and print the design on the canvas. Its like beading by numbers. You just have to make sure your design is the right size when printed or your beads maybe too thick of thin for the lines. The ink doesnt stay on too good cause the surface is slick so you either have to be carefull not to smudge it while beading or just trace the outlines with a marker or ballpoint. I am gonna try regular canvas next, but the ink may spread as it soaks in. I used to use regular canvas backed with maskingtape.

07-17-2006, 05:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
WocusWoman N8tiffUmatillaMAMA Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Interior Alaska Posts: 2,737	We never use paper. I for one, have occasionally took a beaded barrette out of my hair, placed it in my jeans or jacket pocket and put it through the wash. We make beadwork that is going to survive incidents like this. Why back or bead onto crapping materials after putting all your precious time into it, when there are good sturdy things to use instead.

07-17-2006, 11:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 8,037 Blog Entries: 2	My sister in law washes old beadwork all the time. Lots of it was beaded on paper. Turns out fine most of the time. What is scary is that I came across a piece of rubberized flannel lap pad that is about 30 - 40 years old. It's very brittle and cracked. ACK!!!

07-19-2006, 11:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 8,037 Blog Entries: 2