Textiles and Dress

Bead embroidery

Bead embroidery is a type of beadwork that uses a needle and thread to stitch beads to a surface of fabric, suede, or leather. Bead embroidery is an embellishment that does not form an essential part of a textile's structure. In this respect, bead embroidery differs from bead weaving, bead crochet, and bead knitting. Woven, knitted, and crocheted beads may be attached during fabric production, whereas embroidered beads are always added upon finished fabric. Traditionally, bead embroidery has been used on clothing and decorative textiles. It may be used in jewelry with the addition of structural supports such as bracelet bands. Other clothing accessories such as belt buckles and handbags can be embroidered with beads, and household items such as pillows or boxes may be embellished with bead embroidery. When used with hard surfaces, bead patterns are measured and planned with seam allowances and attached after embroidery by means of glue or epoxy. Bead embroidery has historically been a symbol of pride and status. The craft of bead embroidery was often supported by and more economically available to royal patrons. In India, for example, beadwork was incorporated into their fashion, specifically, decorative objects such as batuas, otherwise known as small purses or potli bags. Over time, bead embroidery evolved from being a symbol of elite status to a more widely practiced craft, especially after 1949 when Bhopal State was merged with India which in turn ended the royal patronage of arts and crafts. After the end of royal patronage of crafts surrounding bead embroidery, artisans began to instead market, design, and sell to the common people. Due to the increase in demand, artisans began to expand the variety of the designs. However, the quality of beadwork in items, such as the batuas, began to decline and became simpler over time. In this modern era, bead embroidery majorly faces the problem of sustainability.

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See also

• ▸Dandy loom
• ▸Barberton Greenstone Belt
• ▸Brazil–South Korea relations

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