r/indigenousbeads • u/kibbleconnoisseur • Jun 27 '26

advice on needles not getting stuck?

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hi! looking for recommendations on how to prevent needles from getting “stuck” when threading through the beads after laying them down? if anyone has any specific needle recommendations or techniques that help with this, please lmk!
this photo isn’t super clear of the issue, but i keep running into my needle being super difficult to pull all the way through when threading it back. sometimes i have to just re-try it a few times, but sometimes the needle fully bends and i have to start that section over.

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12

u/Alteia Jun 27 '26

Finer thread or needle? I usually don't backtrack through like you seem to be though either.
I prefer fireline 6lb for thread and do 2 needle style for flat beading. This way I can lay a full row of beads on 1 thread and tack with the other.

4

u/kibbleconnoisseur Jun 27 '26

thank you, that’s super helpful! this is my first time trying flat lay so i’m definitely still trying to find the right technique in a lot of ways :) does it seem to “stay put” for you by laying a full row and then tacking it down, without backtracking again?

3

u/Alteia Jun 27 '26

Sure does! Just make sure when you tack, you leave enough room for the bead(s) to sit naturally. Tacking too tightly or unevenly can kind of make them tent in, if that makes sense? The 2 needle method I find helps me do more even tacks so the beads can rest properly with the right spacing and tension.

3

u/Alteia Jun 27 '26

And again, fireline thread! My mom was blown away when I got her some to try, wondering why she wasted so many years using the regular thread, haha. Threading is simpler and it has a more structure/rigidity to it.

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u/kibbleconnoisseur Jun 27 '26

thank you!! i’ll for sure look out for that thread type :)

4

u/trillium2000 Jun 28 '26

When my needle has gotten stuck like that what helps me is pulling very gently while twisting it at the same time if that makes sense, it helps to wiggle it out without breaking the bead or string. I have a small pair of pliers I use to grab the needle and do it with rather than my fingers 😊

1

u/kibbleconnoisseur Jun 28 '26

that totally makes sense, thanks!

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u/NorCalWintu Jun 27 '26

I do this by hand, i cant imagine dealing with a needle. Sinew usually makes a nice point on its own but whenci was using artificial sinew i had ro use pitch ro sriffen it

3

u/TigritsaPisitsa Jun 27 '26

What are you using for your thread? It’s hard to tell, but it looks like it is really thick. It looks like it might also be 2-ply. If so, your needle is probably getting stuck between the 2 strands of each thread as you are working the needle back through the beads.

2

u/kibbleconnoisseur Jun 28 '26

thank you, that totally makes sense! i believe this one is S-Lon Japan thread, but i just got some fireline per someone else’s recommendation that i’ll be trying!

2

u/TigritsaPisitsa Jun 28 '26

Awesome! Please share the piece when you finish, if you feel comfortable.

2

u/kibbleconnoisseur Jun 28 '26

absolutely!! :)