Beguiling Beaded Bodice

By Denise Renee Grace

We are lucky to have a company such as Natural Fiber Producers in the fiber world. Their mission includes supporting farmers and providing quality Certified Sorted® yarn for shops. The benefit of Certified Sorted® is twofold. The farmers are able to sell the whole fleece and Natural Fiber Producers sorts it and sells it. The consumer benefits because they get a consistent quality of yarn tailor-made for their chosen project. The yarn I chose for the body of this vest is a worsted spun yarn with long fibers that are more aligned to get a crisper look to the yarn. Since it is 80% alpaca (grade 2- meaning 20-22.9 microns) and 20% soy silk, the resulting fabric is soft and has great drape. Get creative with your crocheted edging, and share your projects with us on our Facebook and Pinterest.

What You'll Need

Materials

Warp and weft yarn: Natural Fiber Producers Superfine Airy fingering weight in Sandstorm, 800 yds; supplementary threads in various colors.
2 of the 4-yard lengths of carpet warp to go in the spaces on either side of the 8 dent section—use a coordinating or contrasting color as desired.
various beads

Equipment

10” Cricket Loom
10” variable dent reed with one 8 dent section, one 10 dent section, and two 12 dent sections

Directions

Warping and Weaving

Set up the variable dent reed: 12 dent, 8 dent, 10 dent, 12 dent.
Direct-warp a 4-yard warp, using the Superfine Airy across the full width, except for one empty dent on each side of the 8 dent reed section.
String the beads on the 2 lengths of carpet warp. Insert the carpet warp into the slots on either side of the 8D reed section. Tie the carpet warp onto the front apron rod and then attach a weight to each length to hang off the back. The weight should be heavy enough to match the tension on the rest of the warp. The lengths of carpet warp are not wound onto the back beam.
Weave plain weave for 5 inches. Slide beads forward to the fell line through the reed randomly for the next eight inches. If your beads are larger than the slots, you can ease the variable dent reed sections apart to bring the beads through the slot, then push the sections back together. Weave plain weave for the remainder of the warp.

Assembly

Prevent the ends of the fabric from raveling by serging or hemstitching. Hand wash the fabric, lay flat to dry.
Cut the fabric into two 32" sections (one of these sections has the beads) and one 24" section. Finish the ends of each section before proceeding. With the two 32" pieces lay them side by side with the ends even. One of the sections has the beads towards the bottom. Sew the edges together up about 12 inches. Find the center of the long side of the 24" section. Attach the free ends of the 32" sections to the long side of the 24" piece. This leaves a 4" section on either side of the 24" piece.
Fold the piece at the 24" mark along the long side and sew the end tabs of the 24" piece to the sides of the 36" pieces approximately 2 -3 inches along the top.
Crochet a decorative edge on the bottom of the bodice, both on the front and back. I worked a deeper edging on the back than on the front.
Wrap yarn around the gathered sections of the straps to add a bit more pop of color on the top of the piece.
Weave a few supplementary threads throughout the bodice, making the whole piece a cohesive look.

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