Base Row Technique For Brick Stitch Beading
Brick stitch must have a foundation to build from. There are several ways to create a base row, also known as a foundation row, with beads. In this tutorial, you will see how to create a Double Needle Ladder Stitch with a 2 drop bead technique to create the first row of your bead pattern. This is a very easy beading stitch to learn and use. It is created by sewing beads together so they align side by side with the holes of the beads on the outside rather than facing each other (like they would when simply strung together). The Double Needle Ladder Stitch is a very useful base row for patterns where the base row is in the center of the piece. By using the Double Needle Ladder Stitch, you can have double the length of thread, using half for beading the top of the piece and the other half for beading the bottom of the piece. This stitch can be used to bead bracelet and necklace chains as well, rather than just stringing the beads. There is more thread support in the ladder stitch than there is in strung beads. This beading technique can be done with just about any type and size of bead. However, disk beads, beads with multiple holes, and triangular beads are very challenging bead shapes to ladder stitch. Tube shaped beads, annular shaped beads (like Miyuki Delicas), barrel beads, cylinder shaped beads, crow beads, and cube beads work well with the ladder stitch.
You can watch the following video or scroll down to see the individual slides of how to create a single needle ladder stitch base row for brick stitch beading with the single bead technique.
Watch the tutorial video:
You can view this video tutorial on YouTube here:
View the individual steps:
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial |
The Double Needle Ladder Stitch Single Bead technique tutorial is part of an educational video series on brick stitch beading techniques. Scroll down to view each step. Click on the images to view them larger.
Step 1: Thread a needle at each end of your thread and string the first two bead stacks (4 beads) of your base row with the first needle.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 1 |
Step 2: Slide the beads to the center of your thread and thread the second needle through the second two bead stack, in the opposite direction of the first needle and pull the thread taught.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 2 |
Step 3: String the next bead stack of your base row with the first needle and slide the two beads down to the other bead stacks.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 3 |
Step 4: Thread the second needle through the two bead stack you just added in the opposite direction. Pull the thread taught.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 4 |
Step 5: String the next two bead stack of your base row with the first needle and slide it down to the other bead stacks.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 5 |
Step 6: Thread the second needle through the bead stack you just added in the opposite direction. Pull the thread taught.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 6 |
Step 7: String the next two bead stack of your base row with the first needle and slide it down with the other bead stacks.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 7 |
Step 8: Thread the second needle through the bead stack you just added in the opposite direction. Pull the thread taught.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 8 |
Step 9: If you have more beads to add to your base row, repeat from step #7.
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| Double Needle Ladder Stitch 2 Drop Bead Tutorial Step 9 |
Ladder Stitch Beading Tips:
-If you feel the beads are too loose and wish to further reinforce the ladder stitch, simply pass the needle and thread back through the row, down one bead, up the next bead until you are back at the beginning of the row. After doing this, the beads will be closer together and more straight; the threading will be much tighter and stronger.
-You can create small beaded beads and beaded links with the ladder stitch by joining the ends of your row together as a component to a larger beaded piece, like a necklace or bracelet. Starting with step 12, thread the needle down through the first bead of the ladder stitch row. Then, thread the needle up through the last bead of the to join the ends. Repeat this again to reinforce the join. Now you have made a ladder stitch loop that can be used as a bead or a chain link.
-The ladder stitch is used to make the popular beaded wrap bracelets that are sold in most trendy mall stores.
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