Essential Seed Bead Techniques

Class Preview

Learn five essential seed bead stitches and start making one-of-a-kind jewelry today! From peyote to right-angle weave, you’ll unlock endless creative possibilities.

Introduction

Meet your instructor, beadwork designer and author Leslie Rogalski, and learn more about the techniques covered in your class and the materials you’ll need. You can view the lessons in order or skip to the ones that interest you the most. Use the class as a reference to learn and review techniques whenever you need them!

Peyote Stitch

Learn the friendly peyote stitch with even- or odd-count designs. Leslie shows examples of jewelry using this stitch and walks you through a helpful diagram to explain the thread path, then demonstrates with the beads themselves. Clear close-ups of the action help you see exactly how to accomplish this stitch, as well as how to “zip up” rows of beads to create beaded beads.

Brick Stitch

Master the foundational brick stitch as well as increases and decreases to create flat pieces in any shape. Then round up your skills by adding circular brick stitch around a bead or ring, and learn how to bridge multiple medallions with seed beads.

Herringbone Stitch

Herringbone stitch might look tricky, but once you grasp how the thread path determines your beads’ orientation, you’ll see how simple it is. Leslie demystifies herringbone with clear diagrams and a stitching demonstration, then shows how to create tubular herringbone. Use a head pin to make earrings and pendants or join the ends for a trendy beaded bangle.

Flat Right-Angle Weave

Get a handle on right-angle weave with Leslie’s guidance! Working with larger beads, Leslie shows you how to add beads and rows for flat pieces and how to zip pieces together to create a faux cubic right-angle weave. You’ll also see how to add embellishments to your heart’s delight.

Square Stitch

You’ll be squared away with square stitch once you’ve seen Leslie’s design examples and stitching demonstration. See how to work with multiple bead sizes and make a “ziggurat ring” featuring a square pyramid.

Closures

If you’re making finished jewelry, you’ll want to add a closure that fits in with your design. Leslie shows how to add a commercial toggle or create your own and attach it to your piece. You can even embellish the closure to make it the focal point of your beaded work of art.