How to Make a Two-Seed-Bead Backstitch

Want to create a dazzling display of seed beads around your favorite cabochon for a remarkable hand-made bezel? This simple two-bead backstitch is perfect for beginners. We’ll show you how to create a border around a large pendant, and then how to embellish it with floral accents. Just choose your favorite cabochon or pendant to work with and thread in a complementing color. We are using red in order for you to better see it. The first thing you will need to do is glue your component to one piece of Lacy’s Stiff Stuff using Gem-Tac permanent adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.

Cut a long piece of thread for your project. A good rule of thumb when making seed bead designs is to use no longer than an arm’s length. Thread one beading needle and tie a knot at the end to secure. Condition the thread with beeswax or Thread Heaven.

Step One:

Thread two seed beads onto the needle and line them up along the edge of the cabochon. Push the needle down through the Stiff Stuff and pull it through.

Step Two:

Come back up through the Stiff Stuff, closest to the first bead.

Step Three:

Bring the needle back through both seed beads.

Step Four:

Thread two new seed beads onto the needle.

Step Five:

Push the needle down through the Stiff Stuff, closest to the last bead.

Step Six:

Count three beads back from the last bead, and bring the needle up between this third bead and the first bead. Be sure not to pierce the needle through the thread as this will damage the design.

Step Seven:

Pass the needle through the first three beads.

Step Eight:

Continue this process for the remainder of your piece. You can create multiple borders along the edge using this same technique.When you’re finished, trim the excess Stiff Stuff.

Flower Embellishments:
We added flower embellishments to hide the large stringing hole in our pendant. First, cut approximately 3 feet of thread and condition it as before. Bring the needle up through the stringing hole.

Step One:

Thread the desired flowers onto the needle and allow them to rest on top of the pendant.

Step Two:

Thread 3 seed beads onto the needle. Run the needle through the second bead, skipping the first. Bring the needle back down through the stringing hole to create a loop.

Step Three:

Repeat Step Three to make a second loop for the flower.

Step Four:

Do this for as many flowers as you like and then sew a knot on the back of the Stiff Stuff to secure the flowers. Trim any excess thread.

Step Five:

Once you are finished, cut a second piece of Stiff Stuff and glue it to the first and then trim the excess. This will hide your stitching. You can use felt or permanent marker to color the Stiff Stuff so it matches the colors in your piece.

-Marissa

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Comments

    • cally
    • April 26, 2012
    Reply

    what a clever way to hide the hole in the pendant! this opens up so many more possibilities for cabochons….hmmm, gotta go check out my stash….

    • Toni
    • April 29, 2012
    Reply

    I’m trying to teach myself all the different sewing techniques and this is so clear, I know I can do it. I’m going to give it a try today. Thanks so very much.

    • Doris
    • April 29, 2012
    Reply

    Thanks for showing it simply!

    • Carol Duboff
    • April 29, 2012
    Reply

    Thanks for showing this technique in easy to follow steps. I will give it a try.

    • Melanie Clark
    • April 29, 2012
    Reply

    I can DO that!

    • Patricia Koko
    • April 29, 2012
    Reply

    That is nice but those of us who also cut and polish our own cabochons want to show BOTH SIDES. Can’t someone come up with a SIMPLE was to bead bezel a cab so that BOTH sides can be seen?
    PLEASE!!!!

      • Marissa
      • April 30, 2012
      Reply

      Thanks for the great idea, Patricia! I’ll bring the suggestion to our design team.

    • Treena Rowan
    • April 30, 2012
    Reply

    How can we print out the instructions, without printing extra stuff along with it?

      • Marissa
      • April 30, 2012
      Reply

      Here’s a link to this same Handy Tip in our Learning Center, so you can print out just the text and the images: http://www.artbeads.com/how-to-make-a-two-stitch-bead-backstitch.html

      Let me know if this works 🙂

    • MARIA
    • April 30, 2012
    Reply

    The Pictures/ Instruction are perfect to understand
    Thank You

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