Choosing the right beading thread
Your choice of beading thread will depend on the technique and beads that you are using. Choosing the right thread (and the right colour) will result in a more professional piece, so to help you make your choice, here is what the experts have to say.
Nymo, a parallel multifilament nylon thread was originally made for the shoe industry. It was the first beading thread and remains a favourite with many.
- It comes in a variety of thread weights from 000 (thinnest) to FF (thickest). At the FGF we offer Nymo B in 18 colours and O in 5 colours.
- It tends to fray and stretch, so it is advisable to condition the thread well and stretch it before using. We recommend that you use shorter length when working to avoid fraying.
C-lon is also a parallel multifilament nylon thread, made especially for beading.
- It comes in two thread weights AA and D as will in several cord weights. We offer C-lon D in 36 colours.
- It resists fraying and stretching better than Nymo, but should also be conditioned and stretched before use. Certain colours feel and behave slightly differently to others, due we think to the dying process used.
Silamide, a twisted, two-ply nylon thread, is pre-waxed tailoring thread which has been used for beading for a number of years. Many professional beaders favour this thread and use it almost exclusively.
- It is available in A weight in 26 colours. We offer Silamide on cards of approximately 40 meters or 200 meter spools.
- Despite being pre-waxed, we recommend conditioning and stretching before use.
Fireline and Powerpro, both made from gel-spun polyethylene, are high tech fishing lines. Both are pre-waxed and very strong and flexible. They are difficult to cut which makes them ideal for use with crystals and bugles which tend to cut normal beading thread.
We stock Fireline which is a braided thread as it feels thinner and smoother than Powerpro.
- It is manufactured in a range of weights .006 (4 lb breaking test) to .12 (10 lb breaking test). We stock the 4 lb and 6 lb weight.
- It is available in smoke grey and crystal.
Silk, a strong, smooth natural fibre, is traditionally used when stringing pearls or a mixture of pearls and stones that may be damaged by a harder cord. It comes in a variety of gauges and colours. Silk will fray and stretch with wear and breaks down after 4 or 5 years. It is therefore important to restring your pearls from time to time.
