Learn Beadweaving (Brickstitch) With a Beaded Earring Tutorial

Many Native American and other heritages are rich with fine woven beadwork. This tutorial teaches a stitch called Brickstitch, which can be used to make everything from these earrings to more elaborate shapes. Start by practicing these instructions, and soon you'll be able to make so many beautiful beaded items.

Materials you will need:

• Beading needle
• Seed or Delica beads in the colors of your choice
• Beading thread: either pre-waxed, or waxed with a lump of beading wax. Alternatively, I have heard waxed dental floss may work well, though I haven't tried it.

Step 1: Preparation and Start

Cut approximately one yard of thread; wax if necessary by pulling the thread over the wax. Thread needle.

Thread 7 beads on thread, as shown in Picture 1.

The beads should fall like on Picture 2 on the thread. Let them fall to about halfway down the thread.

Comments

[bajablue]

Beautiful work... and your illustrations are first class!

[susanrm]

Thank you so much!

[AussieAnglerGal]

lovely!
but how long is a yard?

[susanrm]

Ah, great question! It's a bit more than a meter (metre), but a meter will do just fine.

[AussieAnglerGal]

thank you!

i have been searching and searching for a new hobby and since i saw this i am suddenly addicted with breadweaving! how can you do two even, straight rows?

[susanrm]

You can use Ladder Stitch, which is like the first row I showed here over and over, or use a loom. Here's an example of a tutorial.

[AussieAnglerGal]

thank you susanrm, i will post pics! :)

[shazni]

1 yard is 36" a meter is i think 39"

[susanrm]

Oh right, it's a bit LESS than a meter.

[AussieAnglerGal]

oooh ok

[AussieAnglerGal]

thanks shazni

[foobear]

wow, beautifully illustrated

[susanrm]

Thank you! It took a lot of work, that's for sure. :-)

[sunshiine]

Great tutorial susanrm! I loved the humming bird!
Sunshiine

[susanrm]

Thank you, Sunshiine!