Bead Finishes

Beadwork of any sort looks a good deal more complicated than it actually is when a few simple techniques are generally sufficient to create even the most complex design. There is a natural affinity between beads and textile techniques; some translating directly. Embroidery and beadwork make a pair.

The first of several factors to consider when designing and executing a beaded project on fabric is weight. Beading fabric affects the drape of the fabric and can exaggerate any stretch the fabric might have. The weight of beads may even distort the weave of the fabric or tear the fabric if too great. On woven fabrics, areas that hang on the bias will stretch much more than adjacent areas on the straight grain. You may need to limit a bead design to areas of a piece that are on the straight grain only, or at least reduce the number of beads in bias areas. Knits do not have a bias but stretch much more in thh Horizontal direction than in the vertical direction and this can cause similar draping problems.

Second, consider how your project will be used when placing your design. For beaded clothing, you don’t want to sit on bulky beads. Even beads on the back of a garment can poke when sitting in a chair. Comfort is still important.

Third, take shrinkage into account. Fabric shrinks from two sources in beading, natural shrinkage of fabric when being cleaned and shrinkage from tension on the beading thread. Please preshrink fabric if you ever intend to clean it after, even if you plan on dry-cleaning. Chemicals can change beads.Be certain to leave wide margins around large or heavily beaded pieces so the pattern for the fabric piece can be re-marked after beading is completed. Overall designs should be beaded before the pieces are cut from the fabric.Small areas of beading, such as fringes and trims, can be applied after the garment is completed.Appliqués are stitched separately from a project.This way, fabric shrinkage due to tension on the beading thread is limited to the appliqué backing. If the garment is later damaged the appliqués can be removed.

Fourth, beadwork needs a lot of support. Underline the beading fabric with a second layer of firmly woven fabric if necessary. Line your beadwork to save snagging the underlying threads. Remember to shrink that fabric too. If beads on a garment make one section heavier than another, the garment may rotate on the body. You may need to add dress-makers weights (invisibly) to balance the weight. They can be added in the hem like drapes. Use woven interfacings. Fusible interfacings don’t work as well with beads.On napped fabrics, use small pieces (or bead size pieces) under beaded motifs or the beads themselves, to keep small beads from sinking into the fabric. Light padding of a beaded appliqué makes a great difference.

Transparent: Light passes through a transparent bead much like it would through a stained glass window. (You can see through it). Transparent beads transmit light and you can see into or through them, even when they are coloured. Transparent beads are more lively or “sparkly” than opaque beads.

Silver lined: A transparent coloured or clear outer layer which allows the silver lining on the inside to glisten through, giving added reflection. Silver-lined beads are made with a transparent or opal glass and have mirror-like reflective lining in their holes. Usually, but not always, the hole is square to enhance the bead’s reflectiveness.

Translucent: Somewhat clear (not as clear as transparent) – light can pass through.

Rainbow: An iridescent coating on the outside of either opaque or transparent beads.

Opaque: Light cannot pass through an opaque bead because opaque beads transmit no light. You cannot see the thread in an opaque bead.

Metallic or Galvanized: A shiny, very reflective coating that gives the bead a look of metal. Metallic or galvanized beads are glass with shiny metal like surface coating that is usually a baked-on product. Test the beads overnight in bleach, acetone or alcohol to check for permanence. Try not to use on bracelets or backs or necklaces where they will receive abrasions or anywhere they may receive a lot of sunlight. Three or four coat of a spray fixative can prevent the surface from wearing off quickly. Bronze, hematite and copper are more permanent because they actually have metallic lustre finish.

Inside Colour: The surface layer is clear while the colour adhered to the inside shows through the clear layer.

Matte: A finish that has dulled or less shiny, perhaps frosty appearance. Light does not reflect off the surface as it does with a highly polished surface. Matte beads have velvety or frosted surface. Matte iridescent beads are both iridescent and matte. These cannot be etched to make simply matted.

Lusted: sequins are transparent, opal or opaque beads with a transparent, uniform, slightly shiny finish that is usually permanent. Finishes may be white, coloured or even gold.

Iris is an iridescent coating on dark opaque beads with multiple hues.

Ceylon: A pearl lustre finish. Sometimes the colour of this bead fades when exposed to strong sunlight.

Aurora Borealis: Named for the northern lights, aurora borealis is a term for crystal stones that have a highly iridescent surface.