Beaded Flower Encyclopedia

Everything you need or want to know about Beaded Flowers

Silk Floss for Beaded Flower Stems

Handling Silk Floss

See Finishing Techniques for Beaded Flower Stems for more information.
There are two kinds of hand cream that are good for working with silk. Haven't had a chance to try them out yet. Udderly Smooth is one and is available at many drugstores. Another is called Needle Arts Friend which can be found at some needlework/embroidery shops. You need to use a nongreasy hand cream (which both of these are). Regular hand creams are too greasy and may soil the silk. Other tips for handling silk floss are mentioned in the article quoted below.

From Handling Silk Floss by Steven B. Schweitzer (used with permission)

True silk floss will pick up and show the slightest of skin oils and dirt. Both of which mar the gorgeous sheen and rich colors that natural silk floss embodies. The cure: thoroughly wash your hands with an alcohol-based cleanser like the anti-bacterial soaps now on the market. Rinse your hands thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel. Avoid picking up too much towel lint.

If your hands are rough and dry, a piece of 300-400 grit emory paper can be used to "sand" away the dry parts of your finger tips. This will help alleviate the possibility of having a small dry patch of skin catch the silk floss; if you use your bare hands. Don’t ever use hand cream to sooth your dry hands if you are about to tie with silk!

Finally, as a precautionary measure, I always use a silk glove on the hand that touches the silk as I wrap. Silk on silk is the best route for protecting the fragile nature of natural silk floss.











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