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Member since 12/28/12
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Posted on: 5/5/15 8:16 AM ET
I am planning a silk blouse on which I want to add a bead or beads at the neckline. I was thinking of a brass or gold plated bead, but now I am worrying about washing it and ending up with verdigris stains on my blouse or a disintegrating bead...

What type of bead would be best, gold-plate, gold-fill, brass, glass, acrylic, wood? Never used them on garments before, so all help appreciated.

The blouse will be washed on a machine silk cycle (30deg C).
  
Member since 1/13/13
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Posted on: 5/5/15 9:17 AM ET
I've used glass beads on some projects and they've held up well. I would think anything with a coating might be problematic eventually.
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Member since 5/2/09
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Posted on: 5/5/15 3:53 PM ET
In reply to jjosiejo
Maybe it depends if you are worried about color coming off, or instead bead breaking and falling apart? If I were to spend a lot of time putting beads on silk, and hand sewing them on there, I think I would just wash it in the sink instead though, with my hair shampoo, and as quick as possible, in the water as least time as possible, then roll it up in a towel to press water out and then hang to dry and if the beads looked at all like stained or painted wood, stick something under those, it so it could not stain the fabric, while even drying that way maybe. Just since then they (any beads) would not hit anything for breakage, and they could be only in the water for the least amount of time.

Glass with no coating or finish, water can't hurt, and color can't run, but clinking into each other or the washing machine parts, might chip or break one. Wood stain that was not coated with something special to seal it better, could run onto your fabric, plus wood that gets wets a lot and also hit into something is I think more likely to split after going through the washing machine a lot. Beads that have a painted on reflective coating, inside the hole of them, or the outside, I think probably would survive the best with the least amount of wetting, and agitation too actually, I would think. But maybe drop some of all in a glass of water and swirl around for a while and see what happens?

Also don't you have to iron it later? That might weight in too in choice?
-- Edited on 5/5/15 at 4:00 PM --
  
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Posted on: 5/5/15 5:21 PM ET
In reply to beauturbo
Thanks, that's really helpful. I won't have to iron over the beads as I plan to string them on the neckline band where there is a keyhole opening, so almost like a short necklace. I think you are right, I should just wash it by hand, but I know from experience that would just mean I don't wear it much...!
  
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Posted on: 5/5/15 6:09 PM ET
In reply to jjosiejo
I'm taking the "Hand Embellishing Knit Fabric" (Craftsy class) and Natalie Chanin said that at Alabama Chanin they use extensive beading on their garments, which are all made from cotton jersey. She said her own beaded garments she throws in the washer and dryer and she's never had any problems with them breaking. In the class she mentioned they used high quality glass beads from the Czech Republic (I think). You can order them on her website, but I'm sure there must be other sources for them.
  
Member since 5/21/14
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Posted on: 5/6/15 7:17 AM ET
Here is a source of reasonably priced Czech glass beads, and you might find some in a color that looks enough like gold or brass to fool the eye.


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Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!

Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
  
Member since 5/21/14
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Posted on: 5/6/15 7:21 AM ET
Czech glass in gold, 103 options.
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Little strokes fell great oaks. On the other hand, go big or go home!

Projects completed in 2024: 3 pairs gloves. Four pairs of jeans. Five custom tarps. A dozen linen hankies. A wool wrap for a friend. Four linen bath towels and 24 washcloths. Two bed pillows.
38.5 yards of fabric out.
  
Member since 1/25/12
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Posted on: 5/6/15 7:47 AM ET
It depends on finish, there could be golden finish which is easily be rubbed of and one which stay over almost anything and you could find out only by trying it. Czech beads are one of the world bestand also Japanese ones.
  
Member since 8/6/12
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Posted on: 5/6/15 7:58 AM ET
Beads can be heavy once sewn onto the fabric. Try a sample before you invest a lot of time and effort into beading.

Please post a picture when it's finished. Beads are all the rage now.
  
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