Embellishments and Finishing
In a project such as the Ruffled Peyote Cuff, there are any number of ways to polish the final look and finish the ends.
I am going to walk you through how I chose to finish the bracelet and embellish the components today.
In the photo above you can see all of the embellishments and the left edge of the cuff. Notice the two components on the right are still bare.
I didn’t like leaving the bracelet looking so bare so I came back through adding the crystals to the bands and finally accenting the Superduo components last.
I will show you the final two optional embellishments in a separate post.
If you need to catch up on the project, use the links to the left.
The full materials list and details of the project info, can be found in the Intro.
Step by step instructions and videos will walk you through to where we are now.
Techniques and Materials
We are going to use several types of stitching to work the various embellishments and finishing tasks.
- Square Stitch
- Right Angle Weave
- Following Peyote Thread Path
- Embellishing with 2-hole Bead
- Anchoring Technique
If you are unfamiliar with Square Stitch, I recommend my Video or Technique Guide to get you started with Square Stitch.
- 2 Colors – 15/0 Seed Beads
- 2 Colors – 11/0 Seed Beads
- 2 Colors – 8/0 Seed Beads
- 20 – 4 mm Czech Fire Polish or Round Crystals or Accent Beads of your choice
- 1 Size 11 or 12 Beading Needle
- 3-4 Wingspans – .006 Fireline Beading Thread – Black Satin or your preference
- Scissors or Thread Burner
- Clasps of your choice –
- 3 – Lobster Claw Clasps
- 6 – 6 mm matching Jump Rings
We have a lot to get through so let’s get started.
When we left off last time, we had just finished connecting the center focal section to the two peyote bands using Right Angle Weave units between the tips of the Superduo components and the working pair of Delicas on the bands.
Round 1 - Embellishing the Components
The position of the working thread should be exiting an 11/0 SB nestled above the working pair of Delicas on the base.
Notice that my thread is exiting to the right side of the first unit along the left edge.
The important thing is that the thread will be working towards the remaining components.
If you are right handed, your thread may be exiting to the left side on the first component on the right hand edge of the bracelet.
Before we start picking up our accent beads, we need to step up into the side bead of the RAW unit.
The Steps
As we work the embellishments, we are going to take two main actions to add 3 beads at a time.
We will take advantage of the Superduos and anchor the 8/0 beads along the side of the components before moving on to the addition of the second three beads.
Working Upward
Pick up two 11/0’s and an 8/0.
Sew into the bottom of the second Superduo and the top of the first one.
Stitch back through the bottom hole of the first Superduo to reverse direction.
To get into position, sew up through the two 11/0’s and the 8/0 bead and snug them up to the edge of the component.
Pick up three 11/0 SBs and sew through the lower hole of the Czech Tile Bead.
Pick up three 11/0’s and an 8/0 then sew over through the lower hole of the 2nd Superduo above the base band.
Stitch through the upper hole of this Superduo plus the next bead as shown.
Stitch downwards through the bottom two 11/0 SBs and the 8/0. Position the beads.
Pick up two 11/0 SBs and sew down through the 11/0 on the side of the RAW unit.
Working Downward
Stitch through the center bead of the RAW unit on the base.
Repeat all the steps above working to the end of the center section.
After adding the last three beads you will be exit to the outside of the Tile bead, through the lower hole.
Begin the embellishments on the opposite side of the center section following the instructions above for Working Downward first.
When you get to the end, stitch through the other Tile bead as before and complete embellishment on the very first component as Working Downward.
As you add the last two 11/0 SBs, come through the SB on the base.
Before we can finish the first end, we have to get into position.
Sew down the Delica of the working pair on the base plus several beads on the diagonal.
You want the working thread to exit the second bead from the end.
Sew back up through the Delica on the end towards the center of the bracelet.
Round 2 - Finishing the Ends
In the tutorial for the bands, I instructed that we link up the bands with the like ends on the same side
We are going to finish the gaps on the Peyote bands with 15/0 SBs of the similar color, in my case the Jonquil beads.
The steps will vary slightly depending on which end of the band is your starting point.
In my case, the bead I am exiting is a sticking out bead, so I can begin Peyote with the 15/0’s.
After 3 beads added, the last Delica is not sticking out so I will use square stitch to add the last 15/0.
Using Peyote stitch, add a 15/0 to each gap along the edge.
Pick up a 15/0 and pass down through the last Delica.
Pass back up through the 15/0 to complete the square stitch.
Next we have to bridge the gap between the peyote bands.
Pick up ten 11/0 SBs, enough to bridge the gap and teo cover the threads on the side of the Tile bead.
Pass the needle through the upper hole of the Tile bead and pull snug. Come back through the lower hole while holding tight tension.
Pass the needle up through the last three 11/0 SBs.
Pick up seven 11/0 SBs plus the first 15/0 for the other side.
Square stitch the 15/0 by passing down the corresponding Delica.
Stitch back up through the 15/0. Pull the beadwork tightly toghether.
Stitch into the first sticking out Delica and finish the row by adding the remaining three 15/0’s .
We are now going to square stitch the final row of beads to the bead work.
I am going to add the first six beads all at once and then do some basic square stitching to anchor the beads to the existing row.
With the working thread exiting the last Delica bead of the row at the top.
Pick up six Color B 11/0 SB’s.
Pass the needle back through only the last four 15/0s as shown.
Pass the needle back down through all the Color B seed beads.
Pass the needle up the first three 15/0’s.
Pass the needle down through four 11/0’s.
Continue on with one last square stitch by passing up two 15/0’s and back down the last two 11/0SBs.
Sew through all the Color A SB’s and down to the last Delica on this band. Repeat the steps to add the six 11/0 Color B beads to this band.
As you pass up through the last color B beads, sew through all the Color A beads and the six color B on the other side of the bracelet.
Square stitch the first two Color B 11/0 beads at once. Remember to step up, not shown.
Pick up 11/0 – 8/0 – 11/0 all Color B’s and pass down the next three beads on the base. Step up through all 3 new beads.
Square stitch the last color B bead to the base bead and step up.
Add the next seven Color A 11/0’s to the base beads one or two at a time. Remember to step up each time.
Pick up 11/0 – 8/0 – 11/0 all color A’s, passing down through the three along the side of the Tile Bead and stelp up.
On the opposite side, square stitch the first Color B in place.
Add the three bead sequence from above to the next three beads on the base row.
Square stitch the last two new beads onto the base row and step up.
Pass through all the beads of the previous row and back through all the beads of the very last row once more.
Weave off or use the half hitch knot system to end the thread.
As you work to finish the other end of the bracelet, the only difference is that the 15/0 will be square stitched to inset Delica on the outer edge of the band.
I inserted the 6 jump rings into the six 8/0 seed beads and added the three lobster claws to the jump rings on one side before closing them.
I originally planned to include the last optional embellishments to this post, but soon realized that it is already very long.
I will write those directions up in one final post for you. As I said earlier, the final embellishments are optional, but if you are like me, you will want to add a little more detail to the project.
One last point, this project didn’t start out in my mind to be so Christmassy…but it sure did evolve into one.
That is it for today. Stay tuned for the final post.