FLEXIBLE PLASTIC
Flexible plastics, like a simple plastic gallon milk jug, are a good choice for lining your bead embroidery.
Pros:
- Flexible plastics works very well for your light or small bead embroidery projects, and they are usually easy to find around your house. An empty, clean plastic milk jug can be cut with kitchen scissors or craft scissors.
- You can also use the lids from plastic butter or food tubs.
- This is a great way to recycle plastic items that you would normally throw away.
- The cost for these materials is minimal.
TIP:
When using a plastic milk jug or other shaped piece of plastic, don’t try to use the curved parts of the jug, as these will not flatten out at all and will not work.
Cons:
- If you don't happen to have any empty milk jugs lying around, this can be a problem when you are ready to line your piece of bead embroidery.
- The size of these materials is also a limiting factor, as they are quite small and are generally not suitable for larger projects like neck pieces, collars or belts.
HEAVY CARD STOCK, CARDBOARD OR POSTER BOARD
Cardboard and heavy paper products are good choices for some types of bead embroidery projects that require a little more flexibility such as cuff bracelets or belts.
Pros:
- Many of these types of materials can be found right in your home - empty cereal boxes work well for larger projects like neckpieces.
- They also work well for bracelets, as they are more flexible than other materials.
- They are available at craft stores, grocery stores and stationery stores.
- These types of paper materials are relatively inexpensive.
- Using these types of materials is another great way to recycle items that you would normally throw away.
Cons:
- As with the flexible plastics, if you don't happen to have an empty cereal box handy, you will have to go out and purchase some card stock or poster board.
- You should be careful not to store items made with card stock, poster board or other paper products in very damp conditions, as the lining may deteriorate over time.
BRASS EMBROIDERY BLANKS
These are manufactured pieces of heavy brass that are used specifically to put between a piece of bead embroidery and a backing layer.
Pros:
- These items are heavier than other types of bead embroidery linings, but still lightweight enough that several of them linked together are comfortable to wear.
- They are excellent for using with larger gemstones and cabochons.
- They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
- They can be used for bead embroidery as well as for many other mixed-media type projects that can include beads, paper or resin images, cabochons, gemstones and other materials and findings.
- They will not break down or disintegrate over time.
- They will make your beadwork feel substantial and make it more durable.
- Designer's Findings is the leading online supplier of these brass embroidery blanks.
Cons:
- Brass embroidery blanks are available from one or two primary sources, and are not generally available at craft stores or local bead shops.
- They are somewhat more expensive than other materials used for bead embroidery linings, averaging between $1.25 for a smaller piece up to $12 for a large collar.
The Bottom Line:
All of these materials have their uses in lining and stiffening your bead embroidery. It is a good idea to try each of them to find out what their uses and limitations are for yourself, and to see what you feel most comfortable using for your bead embroidery projects.