The Bead Weaving 101 series has covered a lot of ground since we began last Autumn.
As we have worked through the Bead and Button 2019 Bead Stitching Handbook, I have discovered a lot of new techniques to share with you.
And today is no different.
For the last few weeks, we have been exploring Brick Stitch and it’s variations.
In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to form a continuous spiral using tubular brick stitch.
Much of this technique is basically the same as we covered before, the differences are quite unique.
But we’ll get into that in a few moments. First let’s take a quick look at the tools and materials I used in the demonstration
Tools and Materials
You are free to use any beads you like for this sample, but I would recommend sticking to the same size beads for now.
I will be using the 8/0 seed beads listed above. I have included my Amazon Affililtate links for your convenience. Using my links, helps to support the free content on this blog and maintain the website throughout the year.
The Technique
Before we start the tutorial, let’s talk for a few minutes about the differences I mentioned earlier.
We will begin with a Ladder Stitch base, just as any other Brick Stitch project.
However, the way that we close the bead work into a round is substantially different.
We are going to overlap the last two beads on the base, on top of the first two.
Due to the way we connect the base beads into a round, we will eliminate the need to start new rows with two beads, as we will already have two beads above the base.
From here, we will be stitching continuously around the bead work froming a spiral.
Since we are continuoustly stitching, we will not need to start any new rows. This eliminates the need to straighten the first bead as we have been previously doing in our Brick Stitch tutorials. It also eliminates closing the bead work at the end of each row.
The Ladder Base
I begin with a 6 bead Ladder base, as shown with 3 Color B Teal, followed by 3 Color A Sugar Plum beads.
Since I have an even number of beads on the base, the working thread and tail thread are exiting from the bottom of the bead work.
Forming the Round - Stacking the Beads for the Spiral
Of note here, is the fact that I am left handed and tend to stitch to the right when working in a round
These instructions can be easily reversed for those of you, who prefer to stitch to the left when working in a round. The basic structure and steps are the same.
The working thread is exiting the last bead on the ladder.
To stack the beads, sew down through the second bead on the other end of the ladder.
Next, reverse direction and sew up through the first bead on this side and the second to last bead, that is now stacked above it as shown.
At this point, we need to get into position to begin brick stitch.
The working thread is currently exitng the second to last base bead, from the top.
The position we need is to be exiting the top of the last bead, to the right.
Pass the needle down through the last bead and the one below it.
Reverse direction and step up into the first bead on the base only, as shown here.
To get completely into position, sew up through the last bead on the base, as shown.
Now we can begin Tubular Brick Stitch, in a continous fashion to form the spiral rope or tube.
Beading the Spiral
Our base consists of three color B beads followed by three color A beads.
For the remainder of the tutorial, I will follow this same pattern as I add my Brick Stitch beads.
Follow the steps below to begin forming your spiral using this pattern.
Pick up 1 Color B bead and sew under the next thread bridge on the base.
Step up through the new bead just added.
Repeat the steps above twice more, for a total of three Color B beads.
Pick up 1 Color A bead and sew under the next thread bridge on the base.
Step up through the new bead just added.
Repeat the steps above twice more, for a total of three Color A beads.
Every round of 6 beads constitutes a round. This is based on the count of our intial 6 bead Ladder base.
Repeat the steps above to add more complete rounds of the pattern to your sample.
I hope you find this tutorial useful and add add this technique to your jewelry designs.
By now you are becoming quite the expert in Brick Stitch variations. So far we have covered:
- Flat Brick Stitch – Traditional Method
- Flat Brick Stitch – Increase for Even Count Rows
- Tubular Brick Stitch Basics
- Continuous Spiral Tubular Brick Stitch
Our focus has been on using a a base of bead work to build upon using brick stitch. But we are not limited to a beaded base.
Nor are we limited to the type of beads we use to add variety and texture to the bead work.
I have three more tutorials planned for the Brick Stitch mini-series.
- Brick Stitch on a Bead
- Brick Stitch on a Frame
- Using Brick Stitch with Concentric Elements
So make sure to follow this blog for more great content from The Alluring Bead Boutique.