Free Beading Programs

When I started to get the hang of the different bead weaving stitches, I decided that I wanted to try to design and create my own patterns instead of beading and re-creating someone else’s designs. I went to some sites that offered free graph paper for the different bead weaving stitches. I printed up the graph paper, purchased a set of colored pencils and began filling in the little squares with my own design ideas.

This method of designing works, but is rather time consuming. If I made a mistake or simply didn’t like my color choice, I would end up starting the design over. For some reason colored pencil marks do not erase easily or cleanly. I knew that there had to be a more efficient way of graphing my own bead weaving stitch designs.

So with this in mind, I took my search once again to the internet. I typed ‘free bead pattern software’ into the ‘google’ search engine. Since I was still fairly new to beading and designing bead weaving stitch graph patterns, I wasn’t, as yet, ready to pay for any expensive bead pattern design software. I found 3 free programs. Easy Bead Patterns,
Beader.org and Beadesigner.

Easy Bead Pattern is a free program. The particulars regarding the program can be obtained at this website;
http://www.easybeadpattern.com
A copy of the program can be downloaded from the site as well.

At Beader.org bead patterns can be designed directly from the website. The pattern designer is not downloadable to a personal computer. However, patterns that are created are printable, but as far as I know, not savable to a personal computer. The website is:
http://www.beader.org

Beadesigner is a program created by Leah Kramer. Leah offers this program free from her website is;
http://www.leahkramer.com
And, this is the program that I downloaded and still use to design graph patterns for bead weaving stitches. With Beadesigner I can design graph patterns for loom/square, peyote, 2 drop peyote, brick, and commanche bead weaving stitches. I can also choose to design with the traditional square graph spaces or choose circular graph spaces. After I choose my graph, I use the color palette to select the color that I want to use in my design. I can even create custom colors. When I am finished with my pattern, I save it as a ‘bitmap’ image and then close the program. I reopen the saved “image” using ‘Paint.’ Then, from ‘Paint’, I can print up my pattern. (I have also used this program to create and print cross stitch patterns for my daughter, Charlotte.)

Beadesigner is an older software application. It is at times a little glitchy. I do have to refresh my graphs, when designing every now and then. I also save my work often when designing a new pattern. It does not have any drawing tools for free style designing. I have been doing some limited free style pattern designing in using ‘PowerPoint’ but I would like to have all my designs located in one program. This is one of the reasons why I am looking to purchase a professional bead pattern design software program. The other reason is that a professional software program will give my designs a more sophisticated, polished, finished look to them.

I did actually purchase Bead Creator (a professional pattern design program), a while back ago but that is another post entirely.

Currently, I am researching professional pattern design software programs. But, I must say, that I have been very grateful for my free copy of ‘Beadesigner.’ I have created some truly lovely patterns with it. And, I have no plans of deleting the program once I choose which commercial program that I want to purchase. I am sure I will still have occasions to use ‘Beadesigner.'

If you get the chance, please stop by my website, "Bead Between The Lines." You just might find something there that you like or something that inspires you. And, please, take a moment to sign my guest book.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines