Beading (Manek) Tutorial – Part 1: Preparing The Frame& Canvas
June 18, 2009 |
Love this post? Give me a thumb's up 
Ever since I posted my Kasut Manek (beaded shoes) here, I received several emails from readers around the world asking me how to do beading for it. I decided to post some comprehensive tutorials in this area to cover all-you-need-to-know-how-to-bead-a-Kasut-Manek.
These tutorials are going to split into 4 parts:
- Part 1 – Preparing the frame and canvas
- Part 2 – Border Beading
- Part 3 – Interior Beading
- Part 4 – How to take measurement on your foot
Here we are, at the very beginning among these tutorials: How to prepare your cross-stitch canvas….
You need:
- A wooden frame measuring 11″ x 14″, preferably soft wood like pine so that you can press the thumb pins into it easily.
- A 16-count cross-sticth canvas, white color, 11″ x 14″. Sew a border of 3.5″ width with cotton fabric
- Some thumb pins
- Shoes-face shape of your foot size
- Pencil
If you can’t find the wooden frame, you can always substitute it with easy clip frames (38 x 30 cm) or with a big embriodery/quilt hoop of 14″ diameter. You will need to resize your canvas to suit the frame you choose, but the minimum working area must be 11″ x 14″.
As you work along the beading process, the tension of the cross-stitch canvas will get lax at some point of time, re-tensioning is necessary so that your beading work is even.
Now, come back to our thumb pins option….
Double-fold the 3.5″ border and pin down the thumb pins to secure it, 4 pins on the short side and 5 pins on the long side.
Complete all 4 sides and make sure you pull the canvas in tension while pinned down so that it is tight and firm.
Trace the outline of the shoes-face of your foot size with pencil on your canvas. Mark the center-line. Trace both right and left side of your shoes-faces on top and bottom of the canvas respectively (just flip the paper pattern to change from left to right and vice-versa). The pattern shown below is a simple casual thong style sandals. There are several types of patterns for you to choose from, closed-toe, opened-toe, horizontal single-strap, horizontal double-straps, diagonal-straps, crossed-straps, and many more…..
That’s it, now your framed canvas is ready for beading!!!!
Continue: Part 2 – Border Beading…..
Related Crafts
Love this post? Give me a thumb's up
Looking forward to see the rest of the postings!
hello,
i love the beaded shoes u made, i think they are just wonderful! can you please tell me where can i find such shoes maker to complete the shoes for me if i have done the beading myself. i m currently in perth, australia. Did you get them done in penang? very much appreciated if u can let me know. thank you.
with regards,
sabrina
Hi Sabrina,
I am working together with a beaded shoes-maker here in Penang. He is a very experience kasut manek maker. I can help you in getting your kasut manek assembled after you have completed your shoes face if you can not come here personally.
Hi, thank you so much for your kasut manek tutorials! I was just looking for one to buy, but you’ve inspired me to try and make a pair myself.
I’m an absolute novice, though, so I’m afraid I need a bit more of your help:
1) Could you please tell me how you determine the shape/size of the shoe-face? Is there a template I could follow, even just to get the shape right? I’m not sure how the different styles you mention should be laid out (esp. diagonal straps, crossed straps).
2) If you could give tips on how to adjust for size that would be even better!
3) Does your shoemaker have any instructions/advice for how to make kasut manek? I live abroad, and don’t think anybody here has any idea how…
Thank you so much!
Replied via email.
1) Could you please tell me how you determine the shape/size of the shoe-face? Is there a template I could follow, even just to get the shape right?
I am interested in an open toe, but not sure how you make the shoe-face template. How would the different styles you mention be laid out (
2) If you could give tips on how to adjust for size that would be even better!
3) Does your shoemaker have any instructions/advice for how to make kasut manek? I live in the U.S., and don’t think anybody here has any idea how…
Thank you so much!