5 Tips for Starting to Weave Large Bead Loom Tapestries

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Starting to weave large bead-loomed tapestries can be an intimidating art to get into, mostly because it is relatively obscure even though it’s becoming more and more popular.

The most important tip is really: Don’t be intimidated.

The one thing you need to get started weaving large bead tapestries is simply the motivation to do it.  

So you have the motivation but don’t know where to start? I’m sharing 5 tips for large bead loom tapestries weavers just starting on their weaving journey. 

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Tip 1: Materials are Important but They are NOT Everything.

Granted, materials are essential when you are bead weaving, after all, you cannot weave if you don’t have anything to weave with. But the materials you choose to weave with depend on what you want the final result to be, what you can afford, and what you like.

Bead weaving can be inexpensive or expensive, depending on the materials and tools that you choose to use. You can start with cheaper looms and then graduate to more expensive looms such as the Mirrix looms. I have designed and DIY-ed my looms for years! The loom I’m loving and using at the time of publishing this post is my design of the BEAD TAPESTRY PIPE LOOM

You could choose to use cheaper generic beads which result in a one-of-a-kind result.

Start by using smaller looms and weave in pieces to be connected together and then graduate to a larger loom. Use whatever needles and thread you have on hand.
I started weaving on a DIY loom with generic size 11 beads in 3 colors, cotton sewing thread, and a size 12 sewing needle.

By experimenting in this way, you may discover that:

• You like the mosaic look of generic slightly uneven beads.

• You like the feel of the bead tapestry woven with non-traditional beading thread.

• You like the use of thicker or thinner needles when beading.

• You develop methodologies of your own.

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Tip 2: Muster Inspiration Before Weaving

Ask yourself… why do you want to weave?
You want to weave for a reason… you just need to know what that reason is. It could be as simple as wanting to learn or try something new or challenge yourself. Whatever the reason is, it does not have to be profound.
Here is why you need to know your reason for weaving.

If you know your why, it helps to guide you through how.

What kind of weaving would you like to do?
Painting with beads (imagery)?
Abstract?
Free form?

You will need to learn some techniques for weaving larger bead loom tapestries.

Consider putting together an inspiration folder (physical or digital) or starting a board on Pinterest with all your inspiration pins. Add to it as often as you can. This will help you when you are feeling stuck or discouraged.

Don’t forget to follow Beading Treasures on Pinterest and you can follow @Beading.Treasures on Instagram as well to keep up with what’s happening in the studio.

You could also read more about the bead-weaving journey on this blog

More information about finding inspiration is covered in this blog

A visual representation of what others are creating or have created is a great way to gain inspiration and get an idea of what is possible, learn from it, and develop your own style. It is a starting point.

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Tip 3: Inspirational Space

This is somewhat related to tip 2, in that it can be your headspace and that it is related to gathering inspiration.

Make your workspace somewhere you feel comfortable, and love to be and spend time in.
Make it somewhere you feel inspired.
It could be a dedicated space or not.
Turn on your current streaming or binging obsession.
Turn on your favorite music.
Listen to your audiobook.
Take your loom and beads etc outside if the weather is nice.
Join other bead loom weavers online or in person.

Wherever you decide to be, make sure that you have everything you need and that you can easily reach it.

I work best if I have a dedicated space for my loom and beads and tools etc…
It means that I don’t have to set things up every time I want to bead, which makes it easy for me to go into creative mode. Find what works best for you.

I have developed a method of pseudo-beading that allows me to weave away from the loom if need be and then go back to the loom and finish off. More on that in the Online Learning Classes in development on Beading Treasures. Sign Up for the Newsletter to find out when they are online.

If you get inspired by having your favorite things around you, such as paintings, photos, or personal items… put them around your beading area or somewhere where you can easily see them.

Make the space your own, even if it is just a corner of a room.
Make it somewhere you would love to be.

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Tip 4: Listen to your body

Weaving large tapestries takes time. This means that you may be working for longer periods, and because of the meditative effect, it is hard to stop. You absolutely need to listen to your body though.

Get up, stretch, and take a break often. A trick to doing that is to hydrate while weaving so that you will have to get up for a bathroom break.

If you feel any pain or little twinges do not work through them. Stop stretch. Fix your posture. Fix your sitting arrangement or loom. Listen to your body and be kind to it.

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Tip 5: Convert your mistakes into teachable moments.

You will make mistakes… it’s inevitable.
We all make them, big and small. It is not only ok – it’s encouraged!

One of the best parts about weaving is that usually, the mistakes are easy to correct.
They may take some time to fix but they are easily fixable.
Most mistakes are easy to avoid.

It may take an extra minute or two to recount those warp threads or those beads, but it takes longer to fix later down the road.

Mistakes are inevitable, but they are how you learn. 

Don’t be afraid of them, convert them into teachable moments.

I have made tons of mistakes while weaving. They usually result in learning new workarounds, and new methodologies, and improving my weaving style. Every mistake you make helps to become a better weaver.

You can cut down on your mistakes and enjoy more weaving time by learning from other people’s mistakes, namely mine!

Don’t forget to check out the other Beading Treasures posts to learn more!

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Remember to Enjoy the Process

This is an important factor.
There is a learning curve to weaving large and it is important to enjoy it.
I weave large bead tapestries for many reasons, the main reason being that I really like doing it. If you enjoy what you are doing then it will always show. 
There are so many different ways to weave large tapestries. Don’t be intimidated. Make your mistakes… convert them into your own methodologies and create your art!

It’s important to enjoy the process and the act of bead weaving on a large scale.

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If you enjoyed this post…

You might also like to read these posts too:

• Inspiration for bead weaving, how and where to find it.
• Setting Up For Beading Planner
• Request a Quote for a Pattern
• Why use Digital Beading Planners?
• Unit Converter

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Hi there! I’m Nedal.

I created Beading Treasures to make information about beading large tapestries more accessible, and in doing so encouraging creating of this amazing art form.  

Weaving big can seem intimidating but by using some techniques it is totally doable, no more than that it is really enjoyable!  

If you’ve found this blog helpful, please support me by choosing the affiliate products on my blog and following me on my social platforms. 

Don’t forget to check out the shop. 

Thank you!

Nedal Douaihy,  Artist & Founder

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