Most beaded pieces are not ruined by wearing them. They are ruined by how they are stored afterwards. Five minutes of care after each event is all it takes.
A hand beaded cape is made to be worn and enjoyed, and with a little care it will look as good at your tenth event as it did at your first. Beadwork is sewn by hand onto a fine base, so the main things to avoid are water, friction and anything that can snag the fringe.
Before you wear it
- Lay the cape flat and gently run your fingers through the fringe from top to bottom to separate any strands.
- Check the collar hook is closed before you put it on, so it does not catch on the beading as it goes over your head or shoulders.
- Put on perfume, hairspray and body lotion first and let them dry before the cape goes on.
Pieces in this guide
While you wear it
- Watch out for handbag chains, bracelets with prongs and zips. These are the most common causes of a snagged strand.
- When you sit, lift the back of the cape slightly so you are not sitting on the fringe.
- If a strand catches, ease it free slowly rather than pulling.
Cleaning
Never machine wash or tumble dry a beaded piece. Water and agitation stress the threads that hold the beads. Instead:
- Small marks: dab gently with a barely damp cloth on the base fabric, avoiding the beads, and let it air dry flat.
- Anything more: take it to a dry cleaner who handles beaded and embellished garments, and point out any marks.
Storage
Heavy beadwork can stretch if hung for long periods, so store your cape flat or loosely folded, ideally in the box it arrived in. Lay a sheet of acid free tissue between folds. Keep it somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight, and away from jewellery or anything with sharp edges.
Travelling with your cape
- Fold it loosely with tissue and pack it in its box or a flat pouch at the top of your suitcase.
- For a destination wedding, carry it in your hand luggage.
- When you arrive, lay it flat and finger comb the fringe. Avoid steaming beads directly.
Small variations are normal
Because every cape is beaded by hand, tiny differences in bead placement, colour and fringe length from one piece to the next are part of its character. Have questions about a specific style? Visit our FAQ.
Something snagged or not sitting right? Send me a photo through our contact page and I will tell you how to fix it.
Anita
Beaded Capes, Melbourne