This little tutorial illustrates a beaded edging often used to sew two pieces of leather, fabric or ultrasuede together. Let's assume that your beadwork is complete and attached to the front of the leather, whether it's appliqué, loomwork, or whatever. Now you need to attach a backing to the piece to cover your stitches. Here's how:
1.
If practical, work with a thread that's long enough to go around the entire piece. Measure a length about twice as long as the outer edge. Tie a knot in the end. Come through one layer of leather toward the front, hiding the knot between the layers. Pick up four beads.
2.
Working clockwise, bring the needle through both layers of leather, from back to front. The spacing of the stitches is critical for a smooth, sturdy edging. In this example, try to keep the stitches about one bead width apart.
3.
Come back up through the last bead a second time and pick up three beads. From now on, you'll pick up three beads, come through both layers from back to front, and go through the last bead a second time.
4.
To finish the edging, pick up only two beads and go down through the very first bead, coming out the back layer of leather. To hide the thread, sew through the edging beads for awhile and trim the thread. You can also hide the thread in the beadwork on the front of the piece.
Note:
Try to keep the spacing consistent. If you want the middle beads to sit up a little higher, keep the stitches closer together. If you want the middle beads to rest against the leather, place the stitches a little farther apart.
Why 4-3-2?
I call this edging "4-3-2" because you pick up four beads to start, then three beads all the way around, until the very end, when you pick up two beads. You can use other formulas -- 3-2-1 edging will have one bead standing up (see photo at right); a 5-4-3 combination will allow 3 beads to stand up. If you pick up several beads at a time and keep your stitches close together, you can get a ruffly effect.
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This page was first posted on 12/26/98, and revised 2/5/99 ©1999 Mary J. Tafoya.
All copy, illustrations and images ©1999 Mary J. Tafoya.
Single copies may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial use only.
