Welcome back to Bead Weaving 101 and our exploration of the 2019 Bead and Button Bead Stitching Handbook.
In earlier posts, we reviewed the basics of the 3-D form of the technique, called Tubular Netting and the advanced technique of Filled Tubular Netting.
Today, I am we are going to take our skills one step further and learn how to increase and decrease the size of the Filler Beads.
Let’s take a look at the tools and materials we need to get started today. I have added my Affiliate Links for your convenience.
Tools and Materials
Getting Started
For this tutorial, I am only creating a small sample of bead work. The filler beads gradually get larger and then gradually smaller. Before we begin the increase, we need a small base of bead work.
Refer back to the first two posts if you need a refresher on:
The start is exactly the same as regular Filled Tubular Netting.
3 of the 4 mm pearl filling beads separated by 3 crossover seed beads, tied into a round.
Move through a pearl and a seed bead afterwards to close the bead work.
In this sample, the flyover bead segments consist of 5 seed beads.
2 11/0 Jet – 1 11/0 Silver – 2 11/0 Jet.
Add the segments as you normally would.
Step up through 2 jet and the Silver bead at the end of the round.
Add a new row of 4 mm filler pearls by stitching them between the silver crossover seed beads of the previous row.
Make sure to exit through a seed bead before adding the next row of flyover seed beads.
Add at least 3 round of 4 mm beads and one last row of flyover beads.
Step up into the first three seed beads as before.
The first Increase
In the next section of bead work we will use 6 mm pearls for the filler beads.
Sew on round using the 6 mm pearls.
Next we need to adjust the number of beads in the flyover segments to accommodate the larger bead.
I swapped the colors of my crossover beads with black and the silver for the beads on either side to black.
I added an additional seed bead to both sides of the crossover bead for a total of 7 seed beads in each wing.
After you add each segment of flyover beads, don’t forget to step up before add the next round of filler pearls.
In this section of bead work the step up is through 3 11/0 silver and the 11/0 Jet crossover bead.
Continue with these steps until you have added three rounds of 6 mm pearls and one last row of flyover beads.
Remember to step up through 4 seed beads at the end of the last round.
Each additional increase
The next increase is to the 8 mm pearls.
Add one round of 8 mm pearls to the crossover beads from the previous row.
Make sure to exit a seed bead before adding the next row of flyover beads.
Determine the number of seed beads needed to flyover the larger filler bead.
Here I added one more seed bead on each side of the crossover bead.
Notice that there is a gap which would leave thread visible/exposed on the sides of the pearl.
I adjust the segment by adding one more seed bead on each side of the crossover bead for a total of 11 seed beads.
Continue adding the row of flyover segments and remember to step up before adding the next round of filler pearls. In this instance step up through 6 seed beads.
Continue working until you have added three rounds of 8 mm pearls and one last row of flyover beads.
Step up as mentioned above.
Decreasing
To decrease the size of you filler beads, you simply work backwards.
First by stepping back down to the 6 mm pearls and the flyover segments of 7 seed bead.
Remember to add a row of flyover beads and then step down to the 4 mm Pearls.
The flyover segment reduces back to 5 seed beads, the same as we started with
Variations
The increases and decreases do not have to be gradual as shown in this demo.
Adding a much larger bead in the first increase will create a dramatic contrast to the bead work.
If you decide to use this design option, I would recommend using more seed beads on the last row of flyover beads before adding the first row of large beads.
For example, if you were increasing from 4 mm to 8 mm pearls, the last row of flyover beads should be increased to 11 seed beads. If you don’t like the look of the section, try reducing that number to 9 beads and so on, until you get the look you prefer.
Once the first row of larger beads is in place, adjust the seed beads to cover the gaps for a more professional look.
Or you can leave gaps if that look appeals to you.
It is up to you….. you are the designer
Play around with the concept and have lots of fun.
I hope you find this tutorial helpful and try this technique out in your designs this year.
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