Have you ever made a quilt that, despite being technically ‘finished,’ still seems to be missing a little something? A little sparkle, a little more texture, a little oomph to catch the eye? Chances are, embellishing fabric with beads is exactly what you need to make that quilt feel complete. Sometimes a design needs a little extra razzle dazzle to totally beautify it. Most times these beads and embellishments are hand stitched to the garment. Hand Embroidery stitches can be used beautifully to apply embellishments to the fabric. Beads are some of the most common decorations used to add glitz and texture to your work. When you use hand embroidery stitches to secure beads, the embellishments become a part of the stitch itself. Apart from beads, there are other decorative items like mirrors and shells that can be fixed to the fabric using hand embroidery stitches.
Tips on embellishing Fabrics with Beads
1. Following the existing lines created in the fabric pattern, use seed beads to trace the edge and create a more defined shape for your design. Due to their small size, seed beads are a great choice for detail work.
2. By using beads which are complementary to the shapes/lines you’ll be creating, like the bugle beads, you can enhance the fabric pattern with newly imagined details.
3. A great way to create a focal point is with a unique, stand-out bead.
4. Using beads to fill in spaces within your fabric pattern creates lines and adds texture and interest. Here, the rest of the flower center has been filled with complementary-colored seed beads to accentuate the focal point.
Some Types of Beads used in Beadwork and Embellishments
1. Seed Beads: Seed beads are small beads that can be used in a variety of design projects. They pair well with other kinds of beads and they can also be used on their own. When selecting seed beads sizes, a greater number indicates a smaller size; for example, the 15/0 size is smaller than those that are 8/0. There are different seed beads in a wide variety of sizes, colors, shapes, and finishes.
2. Pearl Beads: A pearl bead is a lustrous round bead with a single hole through the centre, which imitates the appearance of a natural pearl. Pearl beads come in a variety of sizes.
3. Coral Beads: Coral has been highly prized, worn in jewelry and used as an amulet or talisman since before the time of Egypt. Many who use coral in this way believe that it can relieve melancholy and excessive worry. This bead is also used in designs for clothes that are traditional.
4. Glass Beads: These beads are also called broken glass beads, rice beads or bugle beads depending on your location. They mostly have a clear color and and look like broken shards of glass, hence the name. They are elongated cylindrical beads that look like individual grains of rice. The rice shape makes it attractive to use. They are great to be used with linear stitches. They come in various colors, length and sizes too.
5. Crystal Beads: Crystal beads are beautiful beads also used for designing. They come in different shapes and colors and they are particularly sparkly and add shine and extra to a garment.
6. Sequins: These are small disk-shaped beads made of plastic. They are usually flat but also come in a slightly cup-shaped structure as in the image. Sequins are great to add a little sparkle without adding weight to the fabric. It can be combined along with beads for a visual treat.
7. Mirrors: These are hand-cut fake or real mirrors. They are attached to the fabric using various hand stitches that cover the edges. Mirrors can add weight to the fabric. They add sparkle to the fabric by reflecting light. To avoid weight, mirrors can be replaced with big silver sequins.
8. Claw stones: Claw stones, also called rhinestone in claw settings, are crystal stone with sew-on base. The claw on the base will firmly hold the rhinestone. Rhinestones are usually used For jewelry making, dress making, garment , diy accessory, shoes, bags, evening dress, Costumes.
9. Cup Chain: Cup chain, also called rhinestone chain, is decorated with connected settings holding brilliant crystals in place. The chain is flexible and light, you can cut it into individual gems or use it as a string in your designs.
Planet Zaiy 