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bwpattern4.gifTo start with, what exactly is beadweaving : “To form embroidered designs by combining various elements into a connected whole adding beads at regular intervals is known as beadweaving”. Check the diagram at your side to get some understanding of the same.
If you want to go through a simple project book with lots of pictures, I recommend the book by Ann Benson : Beadweaving: New Needle Techniques & Original Designs.

Benson focuses on converting craft into wearable art. She uses black-and-white diagrams to clarify procedures and introduces two types of beadwork–needle weaving, in which beads are threaded together, and card stitching, in which beads are sewn directly on to a backing of construction paper or lightweight cardboard. More than 40 amazing projects–mostly jewelry and decorative accessories–are included, with graphed or gridded patterns, step-by-step instructions, and a complete list of materials right down to bead size and color.

Another book worth noting in this art is The Complete Guide to Traditional Native American Beadwork: A Definitive Study of Authentic Tools, Materials, Techniques, and Styles by Joel Monture. This book offers stunning photos and a good section on traditional color use which together could give one a good starting point for one’s own creations. Joel is a professor of traditional arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. His book documents not only native American beadwork techniques, but the tedious methods of leather preparation that are necessary prior to beading.


2 Responses to “The Gorgeous Art of Embroidered Bead Weaving”  

  1. 1 Bead Jewellery

    I’m subscribed to Knitting/Beading Daily, but I can’t download the free projects/patterns! What’s the problem? Please make sure you are logged in. The login in link is located at the top right hand side of every page. Sometimes, your computer forgets who you are (that’s non-technical speak for “your cookie has become corrupt”), or you have have changed your password.

  2. 2 Jewellery Beads

    I am new to beading and am confused by all the sizes of seed beads. Can you tell me how many beads I get in each different size? Seed beads are measured in aughts. This can be confusing as we are used to inches and millimeters as our unit of measure. Aughts are the number of beads lined up side by side in a given space. A 6/0 bead means that you will get 6 beads in the space. 11/0 will be eleven beads in the same amount of space. So the smaller the number the bigger the bead, as it takes fewer beads to fill the space. This chart will help you determine the number of seed beads per inch based on size. Remember that this is approximate as there are differences between manufacturers, country of origin and finishes.

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