Adorn fashion accessories with beaded fringes
Available in dozens of colors, bead styles, and sizes, the bead stripe helps you create instant fashion accessories with very little effort. Sew or glue the bead strip to an accessory that needs a bit of pizazz. The results are instantaneous and spectacular.
Purses and bags: Attach a strip of beaded fringe to the bottom of any narrow handle bag, and you’ve got an instant flapper bag from the 1920s. Gold, a hippie bag from the 60s. Cover a small cloth bag with strip after strip of Beaded fringe for a more festive look.
Hats: Used sparingly, beaded fringes can also adorn hats. Try covering a knit hat with rows of widely spaced beaded fringe for a complete look. Attach it in place of a traditional hatband, using a fringe the same width as the hatband would.
Belts: A strand of beaded fringe could be used as a belt, if strung securely enough with strong nylon thread. Otherwise, attach a strip, or several, depending on its width, to a belt. Outline a large fringed openwork metal belt buckle that has a drop of only two or three beads. Replace the belt buckles with a double row of fringes, sewn from head to head.
Gloves: Although beaded designs, especially floral and geometric, are popular in both winter and evening gloves, beaded fringes should probably be reserved for wearing around the cuff edge. Formal elbow-length evening gloves can be adorned with a beaded fringe line from the tip of the little finger to the hem, along the outside of the arm. More substantial, leather or knit winter gloves can be individualized by sewing short strips of fringe on top of them.
Hair Accessories: Wrap a strand of two or three bead fringe around a bun or ponytail. Glue double strands of fringe, their straight edges joined and centered on a plastic headband. Do the same with a long, narrow metal barrette. Sketch a more substantial ponytail or bun with fringes. Create your own beaded fringe with elastic and use only as a headband or ponytail holder.
Shoes: Imagine a pair of high heels, perfectly fine except that the heels are scuffed or the leather covering them is torn. Cover the heels with beaded fringes rolled round and round. Or run a strip along the edge of the shoe. Lay a double row along a decorative strap, one that does not insert into a buckle. The beads will not survive the buckling process.
Socks: A single row of delicate beaded fringes on the edge of a pair of ankle socks, the kind that fold over. Use a contrasting color, so the beads stand out. Wear these socks with a very simple pair of heels and skinny pants up to a capri or miniskirt. Affectionate and charming. For more pop, sew row after row, together, along the cuff of the sock. This is good to pair with jeans or something casual.
Although there are dozens, if not hundreds, of pre-made fringe styles, creating your own locks will create a one-of-a-kind fashion accessory as well.
Copyright Sharon Shares, 2011