Repairing Beaded Pieces

by Lisa Ashton

Using the techniques previously mentioned should enable you to repair damaged pieces. For repairing antique beaded fabric, it may be difficult to replace missing beads because they are no longer available. Substituting contemporary beads as close as you can match will work if it is a small area of repair. For larger areas, glass beads can be treated with "glass paint" for a more antique look. Glass paint is used to paint on glass for a stained glass look, and it is available at craft stores. Antiques usually used smaller beads, and these also require special needles.

Expect your beaded pieces to need regular repair, especially when worn as hall costumes or in presentations requiring action. Extra protections that you can take are:

Keeping small plastic bags with representative samples from each costume with each costume when the costume is stored.
Brushing the back of the piece with adhesive or fabric stiffener when it is complete to fix the knots securely in place.

Bead Repair Kit

Every bead repair kit should include:

Black and white beading thread.
Short and long needles.
Wax.
Tiny sharp scissors.
Small squeeze bottle of fabric glue.
Spares of predicted beads.