Beading Techniques - A History of Savvy Stitches
For most of our first image of beads or beading is not in grandma's jewelry box but in our social studies books at school.
While learning the vivid history of our country we are bombarded with images of Native Americans with elaborately beaded leather clothes, the use of beads as currency and knots used as ledgers.
Yes, although beading is a hot hobby now this is one pastime with a truly rich history.
For example the Incas in Peru used knot tying as a means of keeping records and still do to this day in some villages.
Called quipus they consist of one main cord with various colored strings also with knots.
Each color may represent an item while each knot represents a number.
Influencing modern beading techniques one could assign a meaning to the specific colors of beads and knots used.
Moving north into the United States it is possible to look at the art of bead stitching on clothing and in the making of various containers and its influence on beading techniques that are still popular today.
With names derived either from their appearance or their purpose five different types of stitches are common.
The peyote or gourd stitch is so named for its use in making decorations for things used in peyote ceremonies or to hold gourds.
Using either an odd or even number of beads per row this ever popular beading technique can be used to weave flat strips into round or tubular shapes.
Today they are popular in ring, cuff and earring making.
A similar stitch has the name of brick.
So called because you layer the beads much like layering bricks on a wall it is similar to the peyote stitch, but shifted 90 degrees.
Also called the Cheyenne or Comanche shift it has also been seen in artifacts from places as far as Africa and as near as Guatemala.
The square stitch is one of the strongest in bead work because each bead is connected to the four that surround it.
Similar to loomed beadwork this stitch can be seen in clothes and belts as well as cuffs.
It is a unique addition to your beading techniques toolbox.
Another quite popular stitch is the herringbone stitch.
Used to connect clusters of beads tightly and securely together one can make any number of projects from necklaces and bracelets to coin purses.
Enabling you to create patterns within patterns, different shapes and objects this stitch is a must have skill for any jewelry maker.
Finally the Pondo stitch or African circle stitch is also used in modern jewelry making.
Consisting usually of just two colors this bead weaving or stitching technique is still used to make ornaments and jewelry with light blue being a prominent color for adults while orange and red is used for children.
Named for the people of Pondo land in South Africa where it is still used this stitch is sadly overlooked compared to the aforementioned savvy stitches.
Bead weaving or stitching is one of the most enjoyable of beading techniques to learn and adding this skill to your toolbox ensures you will always be able to make unique, eye-catching jewelry.
While learning the vivid history of our country we are bombarded with images of Native Americans with elaborately beaded leather clothes, the use of beads as currency and knots used as ledgers.
Yes, although beading is a hot hobby now this is one pastime with a truly rich history.
For example the Incas in Peru used knot tying as a means of keeping records and still do to this day in some villages.
Called quipus they consist of one main cord with various colored strings also with knots.
Each color may represent an item while each knot represents a number.
Influencing modern beading techniques one could assign a meaning to the specific colors of beads and knots used.
Moving north into the United States it is possible to look at the art of bead stitching on clothing and in the making of various containers and its influence on beading techniques that are still popular today.
With names derived either from their appearance or their purpose five different types of stitches are common.
The peyote or gourd stitch is so named for its use in making decorations for things used in peyote ceremonies or to hold gourds.
Using either an odd or even number of beads per row this ever popular beading technique can be used to weave flat strips into round or tubular shapes.
Today they are popular in ring, cuff and earring making.
A similar stitch has the name of brick.
So called because you layer the beads much like layering bricks on a wall it is similar to the peyote stitch, but shifted 90 degrees.
Also called the Cheyenne or Comanche shift it has also been seen in artifacts from places as far as Africa and as near as Guatemala.
The square stitch is one of the strongest in bead work because each bead is connected to the four that surround it.
Similar to loomed beadwork this stitch can be seen in clothes and belts as well as cuffs.
It is a unique addition to your beading techniques toolbox.
Another quite popular stitch is the herringbone stitch.
Used to connect clusters of beads tightly and securely together one can make any number of projects from necklaces and bracelets to coin purses.
Enabling you to create patterns within patterns, different shapes and objects this stitch is a must have skill for any jewelry maker.
Finally the Pondo stitch or African circle stitch is also used in modern jewelry making.
Consisting usually of just two colors this bead weaving or stitching technique is still used to make ornaments and jewelry with light blue being a prominent color for adults while orange and red is used for children.
Named for the people of Pondo land in South Africa where it is still used this stitch is sadly overlooked compared to the aforementioned savvy stitches.
Bead weaving or stitching is one of the most enjoyable of beading techniques to learn and adding this skill to your toolbox ensures you will always be able to make unique, eye-catching jewelry.
