Beads are a really fun way to add some interest to boring clothes, or to cover up a stain.

How to get started:

Sew Guide’s introduction to bead embroidery shows twelve basic stitches to get you started. They also have an article with ten easy flower bead designs and nine beaded borders, and an article with nine different beading styles.

The Spruce Crafts also has a guide to bead embroidery materials.

Much like embroidery, beaded pieces need extra care when washed.

Make your beading more sustainable by reusing beads from old or thrifted jewellery, or by getting your beads through thrifting or freecycling platforms.

Some ideas:

Beading can be used to make a picture come to life. It’s a nice way to decorate fabric or to make an art piece for your wall.

(Image source) [ID: a floral bead embroidery sampler in muted colours and a variety of beads and buttons, shaped like a circle with a few stand-alone flowers at the centre. Text: “Bead Embroidery Sampler. ©christenbrown”.]

It can also be used to spruce up clothes you haven’t worn in a while, like this sweater and pair of jeans.

(Image source) [ID: close-up on the shoulder of a gray knit sweater embellished with beads and rhinestones.]

(Image source) [ID: close-up on the edge of a pocket of a light blue pair of jeans. The edge has been embellished with white and silver beads and pearls.]

Beads can also be used in visible mending to decorate a mend you’ve made.

(Image source) [ID: close-up of a hole in the knee of a pair of blue jeans. The rip has been patched with a black piece of fabric. Black beads have been sewn in and around the patch.]

Aside from mends, they’re also great to cover up stains with.

(Image source) [ID: close-up on a red knit sweater. An abstract patch of red, blue, and gold beads covers up a stain in the fabric.]

You can combine beads with different sewing techniques, such as embroidery for example, to achieve different effects.

(Image source) [ID: an embroidered moon and stars in gold thread on a black fabric. Sequins have been sewn among them to add shine to the embroidery. A metal hoop with two birds lies in front of the embroidered piece.]

Conclusion:

Bead embroidery is a technique that can be used in a wide variety of ways to embellish your clothes, to hide mends, and to cover up stains. Experiment and have fun with it!