size 11/0 delica seed beads from Firemountain Gems size A waxed white beading thread very thin beading needle It took forever to do this project because I kept redoing the pattern. I've been working on it off and on for about a month and a half. I'm still not totally satisfied with it. He looks too skinny. He looked broader on the beading graph paper. lol I fully intend to redo him at some point. I'll need to regraph him to get a final pattern. I can actually see this being maybe 1/4" to 1/2" broader to get more bulk to him, and longer headfins. lol Must be cold--poor Jack is experiencing shrinkage. I also need to make adjustments on the Autobot symbol. I know I've got a lot more white on it than standard, but I kinda like it. I need to adjust the line coming up from the chin. I noticed I'm missing a couple of beads on each side. Oh, well---such is the learning experience. Done in one strip, so it can be folded and sewn up the sides. I'm going to use black silk cord to border the sides and bottom. I'll leave long ends at the top so I can hang him from my rearview mirror. The top will be left open, but I'll finish the edges with a beaded border. I figure I might be able to stuff a cut down car freshner in it. Or I could stash a $10 in it for emergencies. Each section is 47 beads across and 71 beads down. (2 1/2" x 4 1/2") As much of a pain as this has been to do, I've had a real blast working on it. I'll be able to use what I learned on him when making the others. I've got Seekers graphed out, but I want to regraph before I try to bead. That and I need to make sure I've got enough supplies. Hopefully, I'll be able to put in a bead order mid next week.
That looks great! I love how your Autobot symbol turned out. He'd make a great amulet bag as well. My 3D Prime is coming along but will need to be pieced together. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work!
Thanks for the comments, folks. I appreciate them. I've decided to rip this one out and reuse the beads. I've almost got the second revised pattern done. This is the first revision, I ripped out the original when I got down to the pelvic armor and legs. I'll be using elements from the original pattern and the first revision. The head shape in the original was better. I'll need to make the shoulders and chest section broader to accommidate (sp?) the longer fins and shoulder cannon. I also like the chest color layout of the original better. Here's the original: We'll see what happens. I want to be totally satisfied with Jack's pattern before I tackle any others.
Are you using regular graph paper? If so, head over to Bead-Patterns.com. Shopping Cart at Bead-Patterns.com this is a link to free download of graph paper sized for delicas or seed beads. It will keep you dimensions in order. I use a couple of computer programs, (BeadPlan & Bead Creator Pro). You can find some free downloads on the net too.
I've been getting graph paper from here: Bead&Button Magazine - Free Graph Paper Thanks for the link to the other resource. *Edit* AWESOME! Thanks Freyabeads! The graph I had been using was square. The shape of this other graph will make the designs easier to plan out.
That's one thing I've always loved about this site - it's full of highly creative people using all sorts of media and materials to come out with really impressive stuff. Reminds me of mapping out TF sprites on graph paper as a kid, except you've taken it that stage further and realised it with beads instead (which looks pretty damned cool, if you ask me). Great work!
Final Pattern I tore up the other and recycled the beads. This is my final pattern for Wheeljack. I ended up adding 3 columns off each side of center. It still looks a little rough. I may remove the rat-tail and redo it. I was stitching it last night during the men's gold metal volleyball match---so I was a little distracted lol. I also had some issues with some of my rows slanting. Little stuff like that will improve as I practice. This was really my second big project since starting to learn beading. The strip was folded and stitched up the sides to make a pocket. Satin rat-tail cord was stitch around the sides, bottom and both top edges to form an adjustable hanging loop. (I should probably trim it down.) My next project will be Starscream. I've got the beads and a first draft graph. I want to tweak the graph a bit, using what I learned, before I try to bead. Wish me luck! Also in rough graph: Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Ironhide, Prowl, Thundercracker and Skywarp. Thanks everybody for your comments and support.
Man, that is some awesome work. Is there a website that shows how to do that? How did you get started?
Thanks folks Beadwork - free bead patterns, beading resources, beaded jewelry making ideas , the page at About.com, has some really good instructions. Look back at the first page of this thread, Freyabeads gave some wonderfull links too. I started beading about 6 years ago. My mom was a crafter, and she made stuff that she would sell at local powwows. The one thing she didn't do was bead. (She made earrings, but that can be slightly different.) Arthritis in her hands made it difficult for her to make the items that she did. She didn't want to use pre-made medallions and beaded strips. Alot have "Made in China" stickered on them. Mom hated the idea of selling anything made from kits. So I began to learn to loom bead. I made a few small, and one large American flags. (The large flag was to reside on a Veteran's Shawl.) I had to put it aside to take care of my mom and sister, after both became severely ill. Being a caregiver and working full-time doesn't leave a lot of time to indulge in hobbies. Mom passed away January 2007. My sis and I moved shortly after that. I started beading again fairly recently. I just felt restless and wanted to create something. I'm typing up the intructions for Wheeljack. I'll post it to this thread probably some time next week. Thanks again everyone who has posted a response, and everyone who has bothered to take a gander.
A month later--Wheeljack Instructions I plan on doing other characters. I'm not sure about trying to sell anything. It's a pretty big time commitment to figure out how to loom these. If I do choose to sell any of my work, it will probably be a year down the road. Meanwhile, I'm posting instructions for anybody who wants to try it. Here's the first part: INSTRUCTIONS: LOOM BEADED WHEELJACK Follow the stringing directions for your style of loom. (Most come with instructions. If not, follow the link posted to find instructions.) Beadwork - free bead patterns, beading resources, beaded jewelry making ideas For this project you will need 54 warp threads. Make sure your loom is wide enough. A rinky little 2” loom isn’t going to be big enough. I’ve been using a 6” loom, and have had room to spare. • I’ve been having some problems with getting my warp tension right. It tightens up after the first several strands. My loom is one of the heavy wire ones, so consequently the right side ends are pulled closer as I string it. That leaves a lot of slack on the left side. The threads pop out of the guides, and it’s really annoying. • I’m going to start stringing my loom in the center now. I should be able to get more even tension that way. (I had a “well, duh…” moment when I thought to do it that way. lol) Supplies: These are the starting amounts in grams. (The size of the small tube from Fire Mountain Gems is 7.5 gr. The next amt they sell is a 50 gram bag.) You will have some beads left over. Size 11/0 delica seed beads (you want beads that are uniform in size and shape-- remove any odd or broken ones as you find them): 7.5 gr Opaque Dark Red (r) 7.5 gr Opaque Green (gn) 7.5 gr Opaque Black (bk) 7.5 gr Opaque Ivory (i) 15 gr Opaque White (w) 7.5 gr Opaque Light blue (lb) 7.5 gr Opaque Pale Gray (pg) 7.5 gr Opaque Gray (g) 7.5 gr Opaque Dark Pewter (dpw) (This was the darkest gray I could find.) 4 beads total Opaque Capri Blue (cb) Eyes Size AA white beading thread (waxed is okay) Beading needle (needs to be small enough to go through beads—it’s about 2” long) Needle threader (can find in pretty much any sewing kit. Some folks need these.) Black satin rat-tail (for border and hanging cord—waxed is okay) Size AA black beading thread (for sewing on rat-tail) Follow the instructions given for starting your weft thread. I’ve been starting with about two yards of thread. Start with what you are comfortable with, but remember—for each row of beads there are two lengths of thread. I got tired of only being able to string about 2 or 3 rows at a time. • For ending a thread, I leave enough to weave back through the last two rows. Catch any thread left hanging out as you weave your next rows. • When starting a new thread, I will weave it through the last two or three rows. Leave about 2” hanging out. You can catch it along the side when you start weaving your next rows. Make sure your thread comes out of the last row where you need to start the new one (on the left end of the row). The loom beading instructions you use may have some suggestions I haven’t mentioned. Feel free to use whatever works for you. I’ve been weaving this project in a continuous strip, starting with the Wheeljack side. Each side is 71 rows long.
Wheeljack: I recommend graphing this out before beginning to bead. Feel free to use my finished picture as a reference, but it’s hard to see all of the beads. You can also use colored markers to place a dot in the squares. (Filling in the squares obscures them too much, imo.) Row 1: 53bk Row 2: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 43i, 1bk Row 3: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 5i, 6bk, 9i, 3bk, 9i, 6bk, 5i, 1bl Row 4: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gr, 1bk, 5i, 1bk, 4w, 2bk, 6i, 3bk, 1pg, 3bk, 6i, 2bk, 4w, 1bk, 5i, 1bk Row 5: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 5i, 1bk, 5w, 2bk, 4i, 2bk, 1pg, 1dpw, 1pg, 1dpw, 1pg, 2bk, 4i, 2bk, 5w, 1bk, 5i, 1bk Row 6: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 5i, 1bk, 6w, 2bk, 1i, 3bk, 1dpw, 1pg, 1dpw, 1pg, 1dpw, 1pg, 1dpw, 3bk, 1i, 2bk, 6w, 1bk, 5i, 1bk Row 7: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 5i, 1bk, 7w, 3bk, 2lb, 7dpw, 2lb, 3bk, 7w, 1bk, 5i, 1bk Row 8: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 5i, 2bk, 7w, 1bk, 3lb, 7pg, 3lb, 1bk, 7w, 2bk, 5i, 1bk Row 9: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 6i, 2bk, 6w, 4lb, 1dpw, 2cb, 1pg, 2cb, 1dpw, 4lb, 6w, 2bk, 6i, 1bk W Row 10: 1bk, 1r, 1w, 1r, 1bk, 1gn, 1w, 1gn, 1bk, 7i, 2bk, 5w, 4lb, 3dpw, 1pg, 3dpw, 4lb, 5w, 2bk, 7i, 1bk Row 11: 1bk, 1r, 1w, 1r, 1w, 1gn, 1w, 1gn, 1bk, 8i, 2bk, 4dpw, 1w, 3lb, 7pg, 3lb,5w, 2bk, 8i, 1bk Row 12: 1bk, 1r, 1w, 1r, 1w, 1gn, 1w, 1gn, 1bk, 9i, 1bk, 1dpw, 2g, 1dpw, 2w, 2lb, 7pg, 2lb, 5w, 2bk, 9i, 1bk Row 13: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 9i, 1dpw, 2g, 1dpw, 5w, 5pg, 7w, 2bk, 10i, 1bk Row 14: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 9bl, 4dpw, 5bk, 5dpw, 18bk, 1i, 1bk Row 15: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 8w, 1lb, 7w, 7gn, 7w, 1lb, 8w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk H Row 16: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 8w, 1lb, 7w, 7gn, 7w, 1lb, 8w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 17: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 8w, 1lb, 6r, 9w, 6r, 1lb, 8w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 18: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 8w, 1lb, 6r, 3w, 3r, 3w, 6r, 1lb, 8w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 19: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 8w, 1lb, 6r, 3w, 3r, 3w, 6r, 1lb, 8w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 20: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 8w, 1lb, 6r, 3w, 3r, 3w, 6r, 1lb, 8w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 21: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 8w, 1lb, 6r, 9w, 6r, 1lb, 8w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk E Row 22: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 2bk, 6g, 1bk, 1lb, 9r, 3w, 9r, 1lb, 1bk, 6g, 2bk, 1i, 1bk Row 23: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 2lb, 8r, 3w, 8r, 2lb, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk Row 24: 1bk, 1r, 4w, 2gn, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1w, 2lb, 5r, 7w, 5r, 2lb, 1w, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk Row 25: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 2w, 2lb, 3r, 9w, 3r, 2lb, 2w, 1bk, 6g, 2i, 1bk Row 26: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 2bk, 2w, 2lb, 2r, 9w, 2r, 2lb, 2w, 2bk, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk Row 27: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 3bk, 2w, 2lb, 1r, 9w, 1r, 2lb, 2w, 3bk, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk E Row 28: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 2bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 2bk, 2w, 2lb, 9w, 2lb, 2w, 2bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 2bk, 1i, 1bk Row 29: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 2bk, 2w, 2lb, 7w, 2lb, 2w, 2bk, 2k, 1bk, 6g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 30: 1bk, 1r, 4w, 2gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 6g, 3i, 1bk, 1g, 2w, 9lb, 2w, 1g, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 6g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 31: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 7w, 3i, 2g, 11w, 2g, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 32: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 15g, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk ,1i, 1bk Row 33: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 2gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 2g, 11dpw, 2g, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk L Row 34: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 2i, 2bk, 15dpw, 2bk, 2i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 35: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 17dpw, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 36: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 17dpw, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 37: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 2i, 2bk, 15dpw, 2bk, 2i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 38: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 2g, 11dpw, 2g, 1bk, 3i, 1bk, 7w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 39: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 6g, 2bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 3bk, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 2bk, 6g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk J Row 40: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 7g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 7g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 41: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 7g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 7g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 42: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 7g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 7g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 43: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 7g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 1bk, 7g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 44: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 1w, 6g, 2bk, 2i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 2i, 2bk, 6g, 1w, 1bk, 1i, 1bk Row 45: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 1i, 9bk, 3i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 3i, 9bk, 1i, 1bk A Row 46: 1bk, 2r, 3w, 2gn, 1bk, 13i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 13i, 1bk Row 47: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 13i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 13i, 1bk Row 48: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 1i, 1bk, 6g, 1bk, 13i, 1bk Row 49: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 2bk, 6g, 3bk, 6g, 2bk, 12i, 1bk Row 50: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 2w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 4w, 2r, 2gn, 1bk, 2gn, 2r, 4w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 51: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 4w, 2r, 2gn, 1bk, 2gn, 2r, 4w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk C Row 52: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 4w, 2r, 2gn, 1bk, 2gn, 2r, 4w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 53: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 4w, 2r, 2gn, 1bk, 2gn, 2r, 4w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 54: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 3w, 3r, 2gn, 1bk, 2gn, 3r, 3w, 2bk, 12i, 1bk Row 55: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 56: 1bk, 1r, 5w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 57: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk K Row 58: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 1gn, 1w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 59: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 1w, 2gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 60: 1bk, 1r, 3w, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 61: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 1w, 2gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 62: 1bk, 1r, 2w, 1bk, 1gn, 1w, 1gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 63: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 2w, 3r, 3gn, 1bk, 3gn, 3r, 2w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk (FEET) Row 64: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 21bk, 12i, 1bk Row 65: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 9w, 1bk, 9w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 66: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 1w, 7pg, 1w, 1bk, 1w, 7pg, 1w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 67: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 1w, 7pg, 1w, 1bk, 1w, 7pg, 1w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 68: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 1bk, 9w, 1bk, 9w, 1bk, 12i, 1bk Row 69: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 12i, 21bk, 12i, 1bk Row 70: 1bk, 3r, 1bk, 3gn, 1bk, 43i, 1bk Row 71: 53bk I'll post the Autobot symbol side as soon as I get it typed out. Have fun, and good luck.
