French beaded flowers technique – Lacing

Lacing is “sewing” each of the rows together so that petals and leaves hold its structure. Here’s a general guideline of when to lace:

Any unit that is 13 rows or more

• When a unit is long
• An accessory that is worn and can be misshaped easily
• Any unit that you feel need reinforcement

Lacing is generally done with 30 or 32 gauge wire. I recommend 30 gauge wire because it’s thin but strong enough to support the rows. As you become more experienced with lacing, you can get a feel for gauges you are comfortable using with lacing.

The length of the lacing wire needed is three times the width of the unit you are lacing. For example, if the petal is 1 inch (2.54 cm) in width, you need 3 inches (7.6 cm) of lacing wire.

PDF >> Download the free PDF for the Lacing Technique 

Video Below >>

1.  Lacing Method 1: Across: Have the back of the petal facing up. Place a length of 30-gauge wire over the middle of the outer left row. Weave the wire down between the first and second row and wrap it back around to the front. Do this twice to the first row. Photo 1.
   

   Photo 1

2. Weave the wire down between the second and third row. Photo 2.
   

   Photo 2

   Now, bring it back to the front between the first and second row. You have now created the first “stitch.”

3. Continue lacing until you have all the rows of the first petal laced. Wrap around the last row twice. Cut the ends and tuck in the wires. Photo 3.
   

   Photo 3

4. Lacing Method 2: Starting from the Middle: Fold a length of 30 gauge wire in half and have it straddle the middle of the basic row. Photo 4.
   

   Photo 4

5. Turn the petal to the back and cross the wires. Photo 5.
   

   Photo 5

6.  Take one of the wires and lace to one side. Photo 6.
   

   Photo 6

   Wrap around the most outer row twice.

7. Lace to the other side with the other wire. Wrap the wire twice around the last row. Cut the ends and tuck in the wires.
8. Lacing Method 3: Lace-as-you-go: Make a 3-bead basic frame and make the first three rows with a pointed top and rounded bottom.
9.  Fold a 3 inch (7.6 cm) length of lacing wire in half and straddle the middle of the basic row. Photo 7.
   

   Photo 7

   Turn the leaf to the back and cross the wires. Lace the first three rows.

10. Lace the 4th row first before making the wrap to finish the row. Photo 8.
    

    Photo 8

11. Now lace the 5th row before making the wrap to finish the row. Photo 9.
    

    Photo 9

12.  Continue Steps 10 to 11 until you’ve reached the desired number of rows. Photo 10.
    

    Photo 10

    Note: I recommend the lace-as-you-go method whenever a pattern calls for lacing. Many of my students who had trouble with the first 2 methods have been able to lace successfully with the lace-as-you-go method with the slight alteration of lacing the row before making the wrap to finish the row. Here are the benefits of using this method:
    • All the units are already laced and ready for assembly after you’re done beading.
    • The rows are neater than if you were to lace after the units are done.