How to Embellish a Button-up with a Beaded Placket

I love a crisp white blouse; it can service a girl's wardrobe in a way no other piece can. But sometimes, I just want something more. Get me? I've wanted to try beading the placket of a button-up since I spotted J.Crew's version in stores. Cluster the beads they way I did here or go all bedazzle crazy and cover the entire placket like this blouse, which I would have totally done if I'd had more beads. Oh, and a note on that...buy waay more beads than you think you need! 

--button-up blouse
--beads of coordinating colors like these raindrop beads and these crystal rondelles
--needle and thread
CHIC GIRL'S TIP: You can sometimes shop at Claire's to find strands of coordinating beads for much cheaper than loose beads, especially if you check the clearance wall. 

1.  Cut the beads or jewelry away from the string.

2.  Fold a strand of thread in half and feed both cut ends through a needle to form a loop with the thread. Catch a small amount of fabric on the front side of the blouse placket where you want to begin attaching beads.

3.  Attach a cluster of beads one at a time to the blouse.

4.  Tie off the thread between clusters and continue to stitch the beads in groups down the front of the blouse. I ended mine mid-way down to keep from having weird bulges when I tuck in my shirt. No one needs any extra bulgy things in her tummy area. Just putting that out there. 

5.  DONE.

CHIC GIRL'S TIP:  As you stitch the beads onto the blouse, try to only catch the upper fold of fabric to keep the inside of your blouse from looking like a crosspatch of stitches.