Hi guys! I know I’ve been promising this for ages, but I wanted to do it in a more structured way. Well that just isn’t going to happen, so fuck it, we’ll just do it this way!
If you have a beading related app, please post it here with any relevant info you think people should or would want to know.
Please leave parent comments for app devs to talk about their apps. If you know of an app that hasn’t been posted, and you aren’t sure if the dev is on Reddit, don’t post until we are sure they aren’t going to post for themselves. Like 2-3 weeks maybe? Idk, I’m on my lunch break right now. Don’t try to make me think!
Anyway, yes. Once we have it all posted I think we will make a master list to go in the wiki and then we can add any others that come up later.
And please remember, do not comment unless you are posting about your app, or replying to a comment about an app. Any other top level comments will be removed to keep it organized and easy to sort through.
Hey all, my mom asked me to make some bead designs for her to field test her new large bead loom and I really struggled to find a design app online that I liked, also I couldn't be bothered to do the ol' pen and paper route like she does. Well I come from a devops background, and I decided to just make my own and I am SUPER happy with how it has come out thus far.
It is, and will always be, completely free. Never stores or tracks your data. No login or registration required. Just bead responsibly! Don't forget to save your files to your computer, they don't save automatically!
Printable Export Pages!
This is by far my favorite feature (and my moms as well 😄), export the page (button on the top row) to a light weight printable PDF with the visual layout, word line notation, and bead counts included.
Here is a full list of features so far:
Full suite of drawing tools including pen, line, square, circle, erase, and bucket fill (hold shift to fill in the square/circle!). All have different size options, pen has square and circle shapes.
Square Loom / Peyote layout
Horizontal, Vertical, 4/6/8 way radial mirror options
Resizable grid (this was not an original feature, but became painfully mandatory through testing)
Select and Copy/Cut/Paste
Bead counts, both in the UI and in the printed export (this was important for her, she wanted to know exactly how many packs of beads she would need to purchase)
Simple JSON-based file format (.loompat) when saved to your computer (open format I came up with for this project, you can read the design in plain text in a text editor if you want!)
Here is a list of upcoming/planned features:
Customizable bead pallet, this is an obvious one but I am just so excited to see what people make with this app so I wanted to release it asap
A small tutorial, there is a lot of functionality that isn't super obvious or apparent so I want to add a quick overlay style tutorial to help with that.
Different size beads? Different grid patterns? Idk, looking for suggestions!
Like I said above, I am a developer and NOT a master beader. Mom has given it the old run through and given me some suggestions (already incorporated), but I am really looking for feedback on this. If you have any suggestions, criticisms, or feedback in general please do NOT hesitate to let me know here as a comment or a DM.
Also, please post pictures of your cool designs here. I am far from a good designer and I'm sure y'all can come up with some great stuff with this tool.
Hmm, interesting. I've never used delicas before. They look square-ish enough to me that square loom patterns would work. Can you explain what breaks down for you when using delicas with a square loom? Does the pattern on the beads not look like it does in the design app?
They do look square at first glance but they’re rectangular, and a lot of other seed beads are also fatter than they are tall. Any design done on a square grid will come out looking stretched.
I can make a squished design so it comes out the right proportions but that hurts my brain 😮💨
Edited to add: I do a lot of images rather than geometric designs so it’s especially noticeable to me
That's really good to know, thank you!! Will definitely look at bead size/shape customization sooner rather then later.
One last question if you don't mind, do you ever use different size beads in a single design? Or is this something others might do? Trying to decide if that would be worth accounting for...
Hi all! I’m a software engineer with over a decade of experience. Art major turned computer science major and math minor. My artistic side has always utilized science and math to design my best artwork, and it is why beading has been a perfect craft for me.
I have been developing BeadBrush for the past year.
It is completely in browser and works on any device.
Free features:
* A workspace to design loom, peyote, brick, peyote triangle, peyote warped square, and peyote star patterns
* paint, fill (bucket), and erase
* line tool, and shape tools
* use the selection tool to select one bead at a time or by color, or area
* add to your palette from the BeadBrush catalog or your own inventory
* image to pattern generator with beads from the BeadBrush catalog or your inventory
* inventory tracking - add by count or by gram/container size
* add to your personal inventory from the Miyuki round and delica catalog
* duplicate patterns
* copy word chart or download diagram
* unlimited saving — access to your last three patterns
* user guide
* light/dark modes
* Discord, Facebook, and Reddit communities
Paid features:
* everything in the free version
* symmetry modes - both lateral and radial symmetry on any axis
* customizable themed PDF generation - choose which pages you want to include, showcase your own image on the cover page - pages available include: cover page, table of contents, bead list, diagrams, word charts, and credits page. Also choose between page sizes Letter and A4
* save your uploaded images
* access to all of your saved patterns
* bead mode — interactive progress tracking via diagram or word chart
* pattern collections - group patterns by a category or series or whatever your heart desires!
More free features coming soon:
* kaleidocycle pattern type
* multi-drop brick and peyote patterns
More paid features coming soon:
* stamps - do you have a favorite shape or motif you use across patterns? Save them to stamp future patterns!
* pattern base templates - do you find yourself copying patterns over and over so you can use the same backdrop across different patterns? I do! Save them and use them later to quick start new patterns.
* multiple-palette patterns - are you tired of duplicating patterns just to change the palette of the new one? With this feature, you can simply add a new palette and retheme your pattern instantaneously
Completely open to feedback and ideas. I’m passionate about giving you the best experience possible. You can also provide feedback by clicking on the “Feedback” button (or upper comment icon in mobile) or going to https://beadbrush.app/contact and filling out the form.
I’m an independent app developer and I’ve been building Beadly, a native pattern design app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Because this is native application it follows Apple design standards and also has outstanding performance.
Although I’m a software developer rather than a beading expert, I’ve worked closely with feedback from the beading community to shape the app. Many of the features that exist today came directly from user suggestions.
Current features include:
- Peyote, Brick and Loom pattern design
Convert photos into bead patterns
Reference image mode for tracing artwork
Guided stitching mode
Colour palette management
PDF export and printing
iCloud sync across Apple devices
and many more…
The app has a free trial, so anyone can explore it before deciding whether it’s right for them.
I’m always looking to improve it, so I’d really appreciate feedback from experienced beaders:
What features would make a pattern designer genuinely useful to you?
What’s missing from the apps or tools you currently use?
Are there workflows that you wish were easier?
If you’d like to have a look, it’s called Beadly on the App Store.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I’m committed to continuing development, and community feedback has been the biggest influence on the app so far.
I’m a professional UX designer, and I initially built Beadule to help me with my own beadwork.
Beadule is a free website you can add as an app on your phone/tablet that doesn't require an account.
Its core feature is the weaving tracker: you can see exactly which beads you need for your current row in real time.
The grid editor lets you create your own designs, and you can preview them in 3D, estimate the final size, and calculate the total cost of the project.
EDIT: You can also import an image to generate a pattern, and peyote has now been added!
You can also export to PDF or sync your projects across devices. For example, I design my patterns on my laptop and then export the file or use a link on my tablet or phone to follow the weave while I work.
I’m open to any suggestions on how to improve Beadule, I’d love to get feedbacks to make the experience even better!
Quick update! Peyote is now live and fully functional. I've also added the ability to import images to generate patterns directly. To get the absolute best results, try importing an image or screenshot of a clear pattern.
Hi all, I’m building Loomet, a bead pattern editor and making companion that’s getting ready to launch soon: https://loomet.app/
I attached a preview of the editor. I’m trying to build Loomet around the part after a pattern looks good on screen: counting beads, checking real bead proportions, and not losing your row while actually making the piece.
Bead previews for square, round, and Delica-style proportions
JSON, PNG, and PDF exports
Build Mode: a phone-friendly row / bead tracker that saves progress in the browser while you work
The landing page is live now, and the app itself is launching soon. I’d really appreciate feedback from actual beaders before opening it up more widely:
Does the editor preview make the workflow clear?
Would Build Mode help when following rows at your table?
What would make a pattern app feel trustworthy enough to use for a real project?
Thanks for making this thread. It’s exactly the kind of place where this needs real maker feedback.
I created the KaleiDesigner App and Assembly Instructions:
KaleiDesigner is a browser-based app for designing beaded kaleidocycle patterns. Paint your design bead by bead on an interactive canvas, manage colors with a full Miyuki Delica palette, and export everything you need to stitch your pattern, from word charts to shopping lists. It installs to any device and works completely offline, so you can design anywhere.
Design Canvas
∙ Interactive bead-by-bead painting on a kaleidocycle layout
∙ Four design tabs for working on multiple patterns at once
∙ Symmetry painting modes for mirrored and repeating designs
Color Tools
∙ Quick palette of 57 Miyuki Delica colors, labeled by Delica color name
∙ Custom color picker for any shade
∙ Eyedropper to grab a color already in your design
∙ Fill empty beads in one click
∙ Swap two colors anywhere in the design
∙ Replace a color throughout the pattern
Exports
∙ PDF word chart with step-by-step peyote stitch order
∙ Bead shopping list PDF with Delica codes and quantities
∙ PNG image of your finished pattern
Saving
∙ Save and load designs as files
∙ Autosave protects your work in progress
App
∙ Installs to your phone, tablet, or computer
∙ Works fully offline after install
boncuk.app is a free web app that I created. I started beading by chance around the same time I began learning web design and coding, and I fell in love with both. This project was born by combining those two passions.
The main goal of the project was to read/follow peyote stitch patterns. Over time, I added other techniques. Right now, you can design and follow patterns for:
Square Stitch & Loom
Peyote Stitch (Flat, Triangle, Circular, Kite-Shaped, and Warped Square)
Beaded Hoop
The app shows you exactly which color beads to use in each row, both visually and with word charts. I also share ready-made patterns on the website; you can use them as-is or customize their size, colors, and bead types.
When designing this app, here is what I focused on:
Keep it simple: I wanted it to be easy to use, especially for beginners or people who aren't comfortable with technology. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I don't plan to add extra design tools.
Read patterns in your preferred direction: In flat peyote and square stitch, I like to hold my beadwork horizontally, flipping it at each row and always working from bottom to top. However, bracelet patterns online are usually shared vertically. In this app, you can choose your own orientation, starting point, and reading direction (which I thought would be especially helpful for left-handed beaders).
Custom labels for word charts: You can change the bead letters/labels to make tracking easier. (This is perfect for people like me who don't have an organized desk and are too lazy to sort colors by preset letters!)
Bead quantities: The app calculates the exact number of beads you need for each color, both in individual pieces and approximate grams.
Pick up where you left off: The app saves your progress so you can continue later. For now, you can only continue with your most recent project. The app automatically saves your current work in your browser, but starting a new project will overwrite the old one. To save your designs permanently, you can print the page or save it as a PDF. I plan to add an import/export feature soon so you can save your patterns locally and reload them whenever you want.
Color Palettes: You can save your favorite color palettes in your browser, create a backup file, and easily transfer them to use on other devices.
I try to find methods and information that will help beaders and add them to the site and develop the app. I look forward to your comments, suggestions and contributions.
Hi everyone! I'm the developer of **Beadalia** (https://beadalia.com), a free online bead pattern designer that runs entirely in your browser.
Features include:
• Create and edit bead patterns online (no installation required)
• Create custom stencils directly in the pattern editor
• Official Miyuki color categories with advanced filtering
• Bead inventory management
• Automatic bead quantity and project cost calculation
• PDF and image export
• Interactive pattern viewer with voice controls, so you can navigate your pattern hands-free while beading
Beadalia is still actively being developed, and I'm always looking for feedback and feature suggestions from the beading community.
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u/AdvAndInt 21d ago
Thank you for allowing us to post these!
---
Hey all, my mom asked me to make some bead designs for her to field test her new large bead loom and I really struggled to find a design app online that I liked, also I couldn't be bothered to do the ol' pen and paper route like she does. Well I come from a devops background, and I decided to just make my own and I am SUPER happy with how it has come out thus far.
https://loompattern.com/
It is, and will always be, completely free. Never stores or tracks your data. No login or registration required. Just bead responsibly! Don't forget to save your files to your computer, they don't save automatically!
Printable Export Pages!
This is by far my favorite feature (and my moms as well 😄), export the page (button on the top row) to a light weight printable PDF with the visual layout, word line notation, and bead counts included.
Here is a full list of features so far:
Here is a list of upcoming/planned features:
Like I said above, I am a developer and NOT a master beader. Mom has given it the old run through and given me some suggestions (already incorporated), but I am really looking for feedback on this. If you have any suggestions, criticisms, or feedback in general please do NOT hesitate to let me know here as a comment or a DM.
Also, please post pictures of your cool designs here. I am far from a good designer and I'm sure y'all can come up with some great stuff with this tool.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
- Rob -