How to Finish Beading on a Loom

Wondering what to do with the loose threads at the end of your beaded belt or choker? If tying off a woven bead project perplexes you, try these simple tips for creating a seamless finish for your design.

Things You'll Need

• Beading loom
• Beaded project (strung on loom)
• #10 or #12 beading needle
• #9 beading needle

Instructions

How to Finish Beading on a Loom

1. To remove beadwork from a loom, cut the warp threads (the threads that run lengthwise along the loom) close to the anchors at each end of the loom.

2. Thread a #10 or #12 needle on one of the outermost warp threads. Pull this thread through the last row of your project and trim it. Pass the other edge thread through the last row, in the opposite direction of the first thread. If the holes in your beads are too narrow to sustain the second thread, wrap that thread around the outer warp and pass it through the second or third row.

3. For a smooth finish, conceal the remaining warps within your design. Do this by threading each of the loose warps with a #9 beading needle and one by one, weave these back up between the weft threads (the threads that run along the width of the loom), weaving over the last row to avoid unraveling your warp thread. Trim warp threads once you have woven them so that no loose ends remain.

References

• "Contemporary Loom Beading: A New Look At A Traditional Stitch;" Sharon Bateman; 2009

Resources

• SharonBateman.com: Beading Looms and Tutorials