Welcome back to Bead Weaving 101.
In this post, we are nearing the end of our exploration of Netting Stitch.
Today we will up our game by learning how to add embellishments to a flat netting stitch project.
This technique is also referred to as Filled Netting stitch. When filling flat netting, the embellishments are added to the completed netting base.
For the tutorial, I will be using a small piece of flat 5-bead netting, with 6 rows of netting stitched onto a 4 segment base.
I used two colors of seed beads in the base so there is plenty of room in the open spaces to add my accent beads.
You can use any beads you like for this tutorial as long as they are all seed beads. Please note that if you use seed beads larger than 11/0, you will need much larger filler beads to fill the gaps in our netting.
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Materials and Tools
Netted Base
Netted Base
10 – 5 mm Swarovski Pearls – Light Grey
20 – 3×5 Crystal Rondelles – Dark Green
The Netted Base
I used the instructions found in Flat Netting Basics to determine the initial pick up for the base beads.
I used the Hyacinth beads as the crossover beads.
Next I stitched 6 more rows of 5-bead netting.
Note the tail thread and working threads are on opposite sides of the bead work.
The accent pearls and crystals are added to the base using only crossover beads that are aligned at the top and bottom of an open space. The sewing is done in straight lines up and down these crossover beads.
First we need to get into position.
The working thread, at the end of the last row, is exiting the last crossover bead.
We have to move back into the bead work by sewing through 2 aqua and 1 hyacinth bead to get in position before picking up any accent beads.
The Filling/Embellishments
When you are embellishing a flat netted project, you can choose just about any kind of bead you like.
In classic filled netting, the accent bead is large enough to fill the gap but not extend beyond the edges. The size of the gaps are determined by netting variation and the size of the beads used in the base.
For example, your bead work will have larger gaps in 5 bead netting than you do in 3 bead netting.
The size of the seed beads you choose for your base netting can also vary the size of the gaps in the netted base, as the larger beads take up more space along the thread as you stitch.
You can choose to use smaller beads but you run the risk of having your working thread exposed and visible in the finished bead work.
You can string together smaller beads to fill the gap.
You can even use seed beads to fill the gaps in a linear style.
The gaps in my sample base are large enough to accommodate beads as large as 6 mm round or bicone beads.
I chose to alternate stitches using 5 mm pearls and two 3 x 5 mm crystal beads, but you can use any beads you like to fill your sample,
In this tutorial, by alternating between pearls and the crystals, we create a gorgeous diagonal pattern to the embellishments. This pattern adds a lovely texture and and variety of color and contrast to the bead work as well.
So let’s get started filling the netting sample.
How to add the Accent Beads.
Remember we already moved into position at the bottom of the second to last row of netting.
The thread path will be linear, using only cross over beads. Note that my working thread is exiting to the right of the bead.
I pick up two small crystals and sew through the next crossover bead.
Pull the beads into position and nestle them into to open gap of the netting.
Next I pick up a pearl and sew through the next crossover bead in the same row.
Position the bead into the gap.
It is important to keep a nice and even tension, without over pulling on the working thread, as this is flat beadwork.
Repeat steps one and two to complete the row.
At the end of this row, we need to backtrack to fill the last row of netting before working back to the other end.
To get into position, sew through two aqua and one hyacinth bead.
Since I am left handed, I sew to the left to get centered over the last row of netting. If you are right handed, you may be sewing to the right depending on the way you stitched your base.
I like to flip the work before adding this row of accent beads.
To create the diagonal lines of accent beads, begin this row by filling the first gap with the two small crystals.
In step two, add a pearl to the next gap.
Repeat steps one and two to finish the row.
Keep your tension even without over pulling but tight enough so your accent beads sit firmly in place.
Next we need to get into position to fill the 4th row of netting.
Note the current position of the working thread.
We need to sew into the same position on the other side of the crystal filling.
Step 1 – Sew through the next two aqua beads heading inward along the base.
Step 2 – Sew through the crossover bead.
Step 3 – Sew up through the next two aqua and one hyacinth bead.
Now we are ready the embellish the 4th row.
To continue our diagonal pattern, the stitch sequence for the 3rd row is as follows:
Stitch 1 – 2 Crystals
Stitch 2 – 1 Pearl
Stitch 3 – 2 Crystals
Stitch 4 – 1 Pearl
At the end of each remaining row, as you add the last accent bead or beads, sew towards the opposite end of the bead work.
In other words. towards the the side of netting that still needs to be filled.
Remember to step into position on the next row, by sewing through the next three seed beads.
In our sample today, that equates to two aqua and one hyacinth bead.
Remember to follow the diagonal pattern of the accent beads as you work.
If you make a mistake, try taking the needle off the thread before pulling out the mistake.
Re-thread the needle and move on.
Row 4 begins with Crystals.
Row 5 begins with a Pearl.
Row 6 will also begin with a Pearl, to maintain the pattern.
And that is all there is to filling your beautiful flat netting projects.
I hope you have a lot of fun and experiment with the technique to create you own beautiful jewelry and other beaded items.
We only have one tutorial left to wrap up the Netting portion of Bead Weaving 101.
In the final post, we will explore Filled Tubular netting and see how it differs from today’s technique.
I hope you are enjoying this series and stay tuned for more.